Gordon Drake joins LCTF

April 18, 2008

Gordon Drake, carpenter, licensed California General Contractor and jack of all joined LCTF as part of the Artisans Team on January 7th, 2008.

Gordon’s apprenticeship as a carpenter started right here in Lancaster County in the early 70’s when he began work as a general laborer and later, carpenter, for the Carl H. Sinz family construction business in Lititz, many of the skills he learned with Carl Sr. still serve him well today.

After graduating high school in 1975, Gordon’s path took him many places; Carnegie Mellon College of Fine Arts to study acting, sailing the Atlantic, Commercial Fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, a ranch hand in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, working for Drew Nierpont and then Wolfgang Puck in their famed restaurants in New York and Los Angeles, respectively, and on and on and on… Gordon always travelled with a hammer and saw in hand. Gordon’s most recent position in Los Angeles was that of self employed General Contractor, specializing in the renovation and restoration of historic Craftsmen Homes.

Gordon recently returned to Lancaster to raise his son in a more community based environment and is proud to note that Ralph attends 4th grade at his high school Alma Mater, Lancaster Country Day School. Among Gordon’s many pursuits are; genealogy research, documentary film making, web geek, horseshoes, bicycling, landscaping the yard, renovating his home and, above all, being as present and dedicated a father and husband as time will allow.

Gordon has enjoyed learning the craft of hand-carving beams with the skilled Artisans at LCTF as, unlike many skills one may learn in the building trades in the 21st century, it is as close to the wood as one gets without farming the trees. The company has welcomed Gordon with open arms coupled with clear guidance and the friendly corrections that are sure to cement a long friendship filled with camaraderie unmatched and pride in one’s work standing tall like the frames they build.