Mike Workman

Founder

Mike’s leadership and advocacy in business and entrepreneurship has been at the forefront of the Appalachian Ohio region since 1975. After watching American furniture manufacturers move their factories off-shore in the '90s, Mike knew there must be a better way to manufacture furniture domestically and keep jobs in the U.S. He also saw a lack of choice in custom furniture among designers and knew he could offer something better.

With the drive to use the skills and resources of the local economy and create a better offering where there was a need, Mike started Contraxx Furniture in 1996. His innovative efforts introduced the Hub-and-Spoke manufacturing model to the furniture-making industry. This distributed manufacturing system ensures that people can live and work in their own communities using the crafts taught to them and practiced by their families for generations. The end result is a thriving local economy, high quality custom furniture and satisfied customers.

“Our employees give me lots of kindling,” Mike says, “I strike the flint, but they create the fire.”

Greg Duskey

Product Development

A classical Renaissance man, Greg tolerates zero excuses for turning down difficult projects. In his 15 years as our lead project manager, he has dealt with a lot of unusual product requests, ranging from rusty iron furnishings to replica cheese wheels to elegant hotel wall systems.

He is often overheard saying to clients, “Give me the hard stuff,” and he means it. It’s not unusual for Greg to be at his desk long after the work day is done drawing conceptual furniture designs for his clients. “I’m a recovering graphic designer,” he says with an engaging smile.

Greg tries to stretch each day past its 24-hour period by spending his evening hours planting fruit trees and berry bushes, tending his large vegetable garden, and working in his wood shop. On the weekends, he can be found in the woods hunting ginseng and morel mushrooms.

“Having been raised on a small farm in rural Ohio, I am fortunate to be the son of a carpenter with an eye for detail,” Greg says, “and with Dad’s training, whether building a house, fixing a tractor, or growing a garden, I am totally at ease figuring out how to build world-class furniture for our customers!”

Maureen Bond

Office Administrator

Maureen’s highly-organized nature helps her handle each project thoroughly and gracefully. Customer service is her specialty and putting the customer at ease with straightforward communication ensures your order will be handled exactly as you wish.

Maureen spends her spare time reading, gardening, mowing, cutting firewood and fishing with her husband, Brad, on their 88-acre farm. Her most treasured time is spent with friends and family.

Working quietly behind the scenes in our office, Maureen understands the importance of teamwork and compassion in getting problems solved for our customers.

“Owning my own business for 30 years helped me bring a different type of skill set to my 'retirement job' at Contraxx. It definitely wasn’t my computer skills that landed me here!”

My favorite saying is, “You reap what you sow,” she says with her warm smile, “and we are very careful about treating our customers like we want to be treated!”

Olivia Irwin

Accounting

Olivia is a perfectionist when it comes to keeping our books. Sensible and kind, Olivia has worked in her family business since she was 14.

Coming from a large family, Olivia was homeschooled until the age of 11. It was through that experience she was given the unique opportunity to closely observe and learn from her parents as they ran their own business. They inspired her to live her life authentically and taught her the values of family, money management and good work ethic.

We have awarded Livie a special coin that she proudly displays – a buffalo nickel that she squeezes to make every penny count!

“I am the second oldest of six kids,” Olivia says, “and I learned the importance of teamwork at a very young age. At Contraxx, teamwork is a part of who we are. I love small business and how each has its own rhythm and tick. I have found my passion in bookkeeping and I enjoy going to work every day!”

Susan Davis

Project Expeditor

Susan is a team player who has a passion for helping others. She has spent the past 10 years working in project management with a creative team.

Operating her own communication business and working with national and international clients for 25 years gives her the experience to manage multiple projects. Susan and her husband, Steve, renovated a 100-year-old farmhouse and raised four children on the farm that has been in the family for more than 125 years. Susan enjoys helping young people and was a 4-H volunteer for more than 20 years.

In 2016, Steve and Susan hosted their oldest daughter’s wedding on the Davis Homestead for more than 200 guests.