Mike Schloff, Founder
Mike Schloff founded Maplewoodshop in 2016 to help all children develop life skills through woodworking with hand tools. Mike has been woodworking since 2004 when he moved into his first home and needed to tackle repairs. He invented the workstation that Maplewoodshop uses after building several generations of woodworking tables and fixtures for teaching children and adults. He is a lifelong tinkerer and still teaches locally to try out new lesson plans. Prior to Maplewoodshop, Mike was a pioneer in the Internet space, helping people and companies take advantage of this new medium since 1995. In his spare time, Mike likes to work with local wind fall trees making tables, benches, and all sorts of creations that let the natural grain and forms determine the design of the finished project.
Michael Brown, Shop Manager
Michael Brown began his career in woodworking 6 years ago working with Codfish Park Design. His skill set and passion for his trade continues to grow. He enjoys working on the fine details of our tool chest while in the workshop. When he is not at work, Michael can be found working on projects in his home garage, spending time with his family, or enjoying his two rescue dogs, Snickers and Hazel.
Yabrana, Associate Product Manager of CTE
Born with a heart full of curiosity and a love for all things creative, my journey began at Kean University's Industrial Design program. My greatest joys lie in the simple moments spent with my family and beloved pets, cherishing each laugh, purr, and wag of a tail. In my downtime, I find solace in learning new crafts, each stitch and stroke a testament to my endless pursuit of knowledge and self-expression. Summer of 2022 marked the beginning of my adventure with Maplewoodshop through the manufacturing side of the company as a Production Assistant. From cutting and palletizing thousands of feet of wood to meticulously assembling workbenches and tool chests, every task was a lesson in craftsmanship and dedication. As the seasons changed, so did my role within Maplewoodshop. Today, I serve as the Associate Product Manager of CTE, blending my passion for design with my love for hands-on learning. I strive to create immersive experiences that ignite curiosity and foster alternate methods of education. With every project and every interaction, I am reminded of the limitless potential that lies within each of us, waiting to be discovered and shared with the world.
John Kiely, Account Executive
John Kiely discovered his passion early in life as an apprentice to a contractor at the age of 14, where he began his hands-on education while fostering a love for woodworking and design. By the age of 17, he was crafting his own furniture and honing his woodworking skills.
Driven by his passion for creating and designing, John pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial design. After graduating, he gained valuable experience working for a product innovation firm for 15 years, where he contributed to the development of a wide range of consumer products from pet accessories, medical devices, appliances, to power tools.
Following this successful tenure, John transitioned his career to establish his own business in the toy and game industry. Over the course of 10 years, he designed, developed, and brought over 40 products to market, showcasing his creativity and entrepreneurial spirit. However, despite utilizing his creative passion, he began to feel a lack of purpose.
Then, unexpectedly, John discovered Maplewoodshop, and everything seemed to align. His passion for woodworking, design, and educating youth converged, inspiring him to help young individuals realize their potential and discover the opportunities available at their fingertips.