The Trillium Dell Team
The Trillium Dell Timberworks crew consists of a group of timber frame craftspeople, all bringing a variety of heavy timber, carpentry, engineering, forestry and design experience to offer our customers and their projects. Our office staff provides day to day project management and support for our crews.
Part of an international timber framing community, Trillium Dell Timberworks is a member of the Timber Frame Business Council and frequently participates in Timber Framer’s Guild projects, rendezvous, and conferences.
Rick Collins
I began Trillium Dell Timberworks in the fall of 1996 after graduating from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Forestry/Wood Science, and completing 6 years in the USMC reserve engineer unit in Peoria, IL. I am a native of western Illinois and now live on a small farm with my family in Knox County just outside of Galesburg, IL, the home of poet Carl Sandburg. From the beginning resource utilization and building longevity have been the core belief of what we do here at Trillium Dell. It has been my privilege since then to work with some of the finest people I know on some amazing projects around the nation, and world. Whether we are working on a simple frame or a complex commercial project, it's my passion and the shared passion of those that work at Trillium Dell that we create the finest new and restored timber frames. When I am not at the shop or the office I enjoy spending time with my family, riding my Kawasaki KLR650, gardening, working on the farm, and brewing beer.
Matt Jenkins
Almost 10 years ago I came to know about Trillium Dell through a mutual friend of mine and Rick’s. During this time I was attending college at Western Illinois University. I completed my degree in Urban Forestry in 2001 while working part time here beginning my timber framing training. Upon my completion of school I began working full time in the shop as well as in the field as a traditional carpenter. In the past 9 years I have moved up the corporate ladder to become Project Lead and Shop Manager as well as being accepted as a Journeyman in 2010 with the Timber Framers Guild.
Through my various positions I have been able to see many different facets of the construction world. I have been able to work on individual projects from the design concept, the felling of the trees, the milling of the wood, the layout and cutting of the joinery, to the erection of the frames. This has truly offered me a great experience that makes me feel privileged and excited to come to work each day.
In my personal life I truly enjoy spending time with my wife of 5 years and our new born baby boy. I also am an avid outdoorsman, and enjoy waterfowl and deer hunting as well as fishing. I also have a passion for building furniture and cabinetry in my spare time.
Brandee Stowe
In the nine years I've been with Trillium Dell I've had many roles. I started in the shop for six months, working alongside the carpenters and learning firsthand the components of a timber frame. My skills were soon sought in the office, where I worked as Office Manager for eight years.
In this capacity I completed the many necessary tasks to ensure that jobs ran smoothly and most importantly clients' inquiries and requests were responded to. During this time I always enjoyed pouring over timber frame plans as they arrived; at times I was asked to draw, color, or outline small projects. I've been interested in design for many years. Growing up in Savanna, Illinois, I would take my tip money from my part time job and buy floor plan books; studying how the pieces of a home were put together.
In the last year I've had the opportunity to move into the role of Design Department Head, my favorite position yet with Trillium Dell Timberworks. I work with clients helping them turn their ideas and dreams into reality through the use of our Dietrich's CAD software. The best moment of any job is realizing how much you enjoy what you do. I have always loved to draw and now I can draw anything a client may imagine.
When I'm not at work I enjoy cooking, coaching one of my 3 children's sports teams, volunteering with Girl Scouts.
Brian Drobushevich
I have been employed with TDTW since April 2003. It’s been quite the experience having done everything from farm work like stripping stables to learning the craft of timber framing (learning everyday) to leading raisings.
I feel I am one of the few people that can honestly say they like to come to work each day. My co-workers are fun to be around and we get to build some really unique structures. It’s always something different whether it's a new construction or a restoration project it keeps me thinking. When I’m not here I like to spend time with my children or at the local fishing hole and of course watching the Bears play.
Teresa Beard
I have been working intermittently with Trillium Dell over the past 15 years, until recently I finally uprooted from Southern Illinois and took on a full time position as Business Manager. Throughout my time here I have worked on restoring barns, window restoration, church steeple repair and working with crew in the shop. However, my current role has placed me in the office handling human resources and marketing. I have a long history with Trillium Dell and have respectfully felt privileged to learn from the challenges we take on.
While I’m at home I cherish spending time with my daughter, Isabelle and my husband. We recently purchased a house that was built in the 1800’s, which means we have a long road of restoration and rehabilitation ahead of us. Good thing we have plenty of people with a lot of advice and experience close by!
Cathy Stablein
I have been with TDTW since 08/02/10…job description is still unfolding. I have been assisting the Project Manager and the President on several different and exciting projects. I also have been assigned basic office duties. My husband, Scott, and I enjoy “smoking meats”, entertaining friends and family, travelling, Micro Breweries and Vineyards.
Tim McGee
Prior to becoming an addition to the Trillium Dell team, I was employed with an engineering company in Champaign land surveying for 4 years and also worked with Habitat for Humanity Restore for 2 years. My employment with Trillium Dell began this year after meeting Tim Narkiewicz at a public demonstration in Green County, IL and an appraisal of one my family’s barns built in the 1850’s.
Currently I commute from Champaign, IL to Trillium Dell during the week but have plans to permanently relocate in the near future. During my employment thus far I have been getting a taste of all aspects of what we do here. I spend a lot of time of the road travelling to our different projects we’ve taken on in 2010.
While I’m home in on the weekends I spend most of my time with my family, friends and playing my guitar and banjo.