Timber Framers Guild names new president

Jonathan Orpin, founder and owner of New Energy Works Timberframers and Pioneer Millworks in Farmington, N.Y., was recently named president of the Timber Framers Guild. Orpin has served on the guild’s board of directors and chaired its 2015 annual conference.

The guild seeks to perpetuate and strengthen the craft of timber framing, communicating information about building methods, events, people and the community. It has nearly 1,000 members.

“The guild has been an inspiration and guide to both myself and our company for 30 years,” Orpin said in a statement. “In some ways, serving again on its board as president is about giving back. In just as many ways, it is about growing both personally and professionally by working so closely with such a like-minded team.”

The guild participates in frequent timber-framing community events. It also has active engineering, historical and business councils, and a program to train apprentices.

Last November, the guild held the 30th edition of its conference in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Speakers traveled from throughout the United States and Europe to share their knowledge and experience with attendees.

“There was a sense of focus and relevance with featured speakers, sharing of timber framing skills and building science education, as well as the always enjoyed session of slides of timber-frame work from around the country,” Orpin said. “Also exciting, the Saturday auction rang up record-setting funds to support the guild’s programs and community events.”

For more, visit www.tfguild.org.

This article originally appeared in the February 2016 issue.