AMD
employs only the best craftsmen and artisans so that we can provide
uncompromising quality, service and craftsmanship to our clients.
Dean
Coley, Chief Designer and AMD owner
Dean
Coley has been in business for over thirty years. His career started
in New York City working as an apprentice for the famous New York
artist, John Harris, forming and creating Plexiglas furniture.
While working for Harris, he met and began his formal woodworking
training as an apprentice to John Harrah, traditional cabinetmaker
and master craftsman. With time, Dean was able to accumulate the
necessary knowledge and skills to become a teacher. He began by
teaching cabinetmaking and craftsmanship at the New York School
of Research. After learning and sharing his craft, Dean decided
to return to his Central Coast home. He started his own business,
setting up a small shop in the Santa Cruz area, designing and
building for many prestigious clients including Jessica McClintock
and Tracy Chapman. Dean also brought back his desire to teach
from New York; upon the insistence of his friends, he began teaching
traditional cabinetmaking at Hartnell College. Dean continues
his local involvement in Santa Cruz County as a member of the
Watsonville Chamber of Commerce and has recently been appointed
to the Board of Directors of the Redman House Restoration.
Sandra
Coley, Interior Designer
Sandra
Coley has been widely involved in the Central Coast region as
an interior designer and local businesswoman. She maintains her
own branch of the business consulting with Dean and AMD when her
specialized talents are needed. Sandra is proficient in period
styles, color theory, and prides herself on the ability to design
to budget. Sandra works primarily in the Carmel by the Sea, Santa
Cruz, and Santa Clara areas.
Craig
Buford, Foreman and Master Craftsman
As
foreman and master craftsman, Craig Buford supervises our staff,
maintains and develops our specialty machinery, and engineers
all the specialty products we provide. Craig has shared a business
relationship with Dean for over twenty years, and continues to
develop his skills in the building and manufacturing industries.
Bob
Bliss, Master Craftsman and Tooling Specialist
Bob
Bliss is a master craftsman that has worked in a variety of building
specialties, from finish carpentry to cabinetmaking. He currently
sharpens and maintains the machines at AMD, sets up the molders
and shapers, grinds specialty profile knives and helps to complete
fine woodworking projects.
Brad
Bielka, CAD Specialist and Furnituremaker
Brad Bielka is a traditional furniture maker that
studied under James Krenov at the College of the Redwoods. Brad
produces the CAD drawings at AMD, builds cabinets, furniture,
and continues his pursuit of building quality woodworking products.
Gamaliel
Ascencio, Traditional Cabinetmaker and Master Carver
Gamaliel
is a traditional cabinetmaker and self-taught master carver. Gamaliel
works on all phases of our projects, but specializes in wood carving.
He is a highly skilled craftsman who is an invaluable member of
our production team.
Oseas
Ascencio, Traditional Carver and Cabinetmaker
Oseas
learned his trade from his father, Gamaliel. He works as a cabinetmaker,
carver, and finish carpenter. Oseas, a very skilled craftsman
and essential member of our production team, works in all phases
of construction at AMD.