Patrick Mahon Program Director/Head Instructor Master boat builder and marine surveyor, Patrick Mahon, came to GLBBS in January 2007 by way of England, Maine, and Port Townsend, Washington.  He brought over thirty years of boat building, yacht joinery and teaching background with him.  Whether in one of the lecture rooms or on the workshop floor, Pat's extensive knowledge, combined with an easy teaching style, continues to provide an exceptional learning experience.  He is always there for his students, long after they graduate.  The in depth text book used in his classes, Learning Curves, was written and copyrighted by Pat specifically for the program he initiated at GLBBS.

Adam Burks Instructor  Adam graduated from the Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building in Port Townsend, Washington, in 1997, then went on to learn the stitch & glue construction method at Pygmy Kayak, which he teaches in GLBBS summer workshops. After returning home to Michigan's Grand Traverse area, he built houses and started his own boat shop, where he specialized in adapting classic to glued lapstrake construction. Adam joined GLBBS as a fulltime instructor in September, 2008, where a never-ending obsession with all things "boat" is rightly considered an asset! Adam's caring patience in teaching is continually noted and appreciated by all his students, full-time or summer.

Jim Berryhill Wood Carving Instructor 

Jim Berryhill is a retired Air Force colonel, living in the Les Cheneaux Islands with his wife Madge.  Jim's been carving as long as he can remember but he didn't start working with waterfowl until an Air Force friend shared his joy of carving ducks.  Jim has since developed his own look, which has come to be called the "Les Cheneaux style".  He has been teaching carving for 20 years.  In his workshops for the school, he teaches students how to sharpen and care for tools, and how to carve and paint to a plan.  He builds the unique carving benches that are used in the class.  They are available for purchase in the form of a donation to the school.

Dr. Dan Fields Metal Casting Instructor 

Dr. Dan Fields is a Professor in the School of Engineering Technology at EMU (Eastern Michigan University). He led the development and implementation of the Master's degree in Quality, and was appointed the Industrial Technology Department Head, developing the Center for Product R & D, which provided assistance to companies and inventors in the development of ideas into products. Prior to joining EMU, Dr. Fields was employed by the CWC Castings Division of Textron for 13 years.

Ron Paquin Birch Bark Canoe Instructor 

Ron Paquin of the Eagle Clan of Chippewa Indians, is an elder of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe. His specialty is crafting traditional, full-sized birch bark canoes, but he also makes model canoes, black ash baskets, birch bark containers, antler carvings, knives, porcupine quill boxes, dream catchers, and jewelry.  Receiving many awards and grants over the years, Ron has won six Michigan State University Master Artist Grants for birch bark canoe making. He has published a DVD and accompanying booklet showing his canoe making techniques.  He is the co-author of his autobiography, “Not First in Nobody’s Heart – the Life Story of a Contemporary Chippewa.”