![]() |
|
![]() Our People
The Wood Welded Companies of Michigan Maple Block Co. and Bally Block Co. have long histories within their respective communities. We value the relationship with the places we live, play and work. An important part of being responsible community members is our commitment to our employees. We see the people we employ as our most valued asset. Below you will find some of the people currently employed at Michigan Maple Block Co and Bally Block Co.
James ReichartThe President of Bally Block Holding Company is James Reichart. - Armed with a Teaching degree from Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, Jim took a TEMPORARY position with the Company. That was 35 years ago. Along the way, Jim has performed many functions from Shipper through Lumber Buyer. Next to his personal family, the most significant thing in his life has been management of the WOODWELDED family. Emmet WoodEmmet has been with the Wood Welded Companies from birth. He holds the position of Vice President in Charge of Product Testing and Development. He also has Marketing responsibilities which include trade shows, modeling for print and film productions and public relations. While having mastered many of the tasks revolving around making and using Butcher Block Emmet took time to school himself in every aspect of Wood Welding. He now holds the position of Professor Emeritus at Butcher Block University where the Department of Forestry building bears his name. Emmet is semi-retired and when not volunteering for a variety of philanthropic organizations he uses his enormous skill set to promote the use of the finest Butcher Block in the world...Wood Welded Butcher Block. Fred Polhemus
The Michigan Maple Block Co.General Manager is Fred Polhemus. He has been with the company since 1993. Fred previously worked for the Fortune 500 company of Federal Mogul as a plant manager. He is an officer of Michigan Maple BlockCo.. Fred also spends much of his free time improving his drives and putts on the links...not that he needs to.
Fred Polhemus
Pat Stanley
Our Vice President of Sales and Marketing is Pat Stanley. His office is at Michigan Maple Block Co. in Petoskey MI.. He has been with the company since 1990. Prior to coming to Michigan Maple Block Co. he operated Detroit Drop Hammer in Detroit. Pat is a graduate of the National Hardwood Lumber Assc. Lumber Grading School at Purdue University and Kiln Drying School at Michigan State University. He also is a 15 year member of the Grand Rapids Furniture Assc. and a 15 year member of the Great Lakes Section of the Forest Product Research Society.
Pat Stanley
Joe BarbercheckThe newest member of the Wood Welded team is Joe Barbercheck. He joined Michigan Maple Block Co. in 2002 as National Sales Manager. Joe arrived in northern Michigan in 1998 after having spent 20 years as the owner of an Interior Design business in Indianapolis. He is responsible for many aspects of sales and marketing for both Michigan Maple Block Co. and Bally Block Co.. In addition to these duties he also is on the New Product Development Team where his background in Interior Design helps bring exciting and innovative Butcher Block products to market. Anne ShepherdAnne has been with Michigan Maple Block for over 50 years. In those years she has performed many important duties. She currently applies her years of experience and knowledge to Accounts Receivable, Accounts Payable and as an Assistant to the General Manager. Monte FolletteMonte Follette is the Superintendent of Michigan Maple Block Co. of Petoskey Michigan. He joined the company at the age of 18 in 1978. Starting "at the bottom" as a Lumber Sorter he has spent time at every position in the plant floor and brings all his 27 years of experience to his current position. |
![]() |
||
| Subscribe to our Newsletter | ||