BriarWorks
Introduction
Pipe makers Todd Johnson and Pete Prevost began work in 2012 to change the perception of what serially produced pipe manufacturing could be. That project evolved and grew and in 2013, BriarWorks began operations in Nashville, TN. Through hard work, ingenuity, and tenacity BriarWorks is producing some of the finest pipes ever made in a serial production environment. Providing customers with an enjoyable experience via a beautiful, high quality product, at an affordable price, is the primary goal at BriarWorks.
Leveraging a wealth of handmade pipe making and design experience, BriarWorks is establishing a new bar for quality in the pipe industry.
THE BRIARWORKS TEAM
BriarWorks President Pete Prevost and a team of skilled craftspeople execute the day to day operations of BriarWorks. Pete, Sam Adebayo, Emily Adebayo, Jesse Perdue, Bill Shalosky, and Micah Redmond are all involved in multiple phases of design, manufacturing, finishing, administration, marketing, and sales. Each member of the team brings a lot of experience and variety of skill sets to BriarWorks, including many years of handmade pipe making experience from Pete, Sam, Bill, and Micah.
Pete Prevost, President / Pipe Maker
Pete grew up in Bakersfield, CA and developed an early interest in music. That interest led to a career as a professional musician and a move to Nashville. Pete’s music career helped him develop friendships with a wide variety of people, including musician and pipe maker Jody Davis. Pete’s interest in pipes along with guidance from Jody and Todd Johnson, led to Pete becoming a highly skilled pipe maker. In 2012 Pete’s career took a decidedly pipe-centric focus, when Todd asked him to help start BriarWorks. Pete has been involved in every phase of development at BriarWorks, including design, production, and the daily responsibilities of running a business. In 2016, Pete was promoted to President of BriarWorks and now manages all of the day to day operations. When Pete isn’t working hard at BriarWorks he spends most of his time being a father and husband to his lovely family Melissa, Bennet, and Lawson. Somehow, he still finds time to make world-class handmade pipes and some excellent salsa verde.
More information about Pete and his work can be found at http://www.prevostpipes.com. Pete’s handmade pipes are also available from http://www.pipeshop.ru, http://www.scandpipes.com, and http://www.smokingpipes.com.
Jesse Perdue, Manufacturing Manager
Jesse grew up in Amarillo, TX and moved to Nashville to pursue a career as a professional drummer. Jesse comes from a family of engineers and inventors and holds a number of patents, himself. His interest, education, and experience in industrial design and manufacturing technologies led him to BriarWorks in 2013. Jesse’s role as Manufacturing Manager includes pipe design and oversight of production technology and scheduling. In addition to Jesse’s work in design, he is a musician and avid outdoorsman. If he’s not inventing/designing something, he’s playing drums, fishing, hunting, and tearing up country roads on his motorcycle.
Sam Adebayo, Production Supervisor / Pipe Maker
Sam joined the BriarWorks team in March of 2015. Sam grew up and lived in Woodstock, IL before relocating to Nashville, TN to join BriarWorks. Sam is one of BriarWorks’ talented team of pipe makers and is involved in all aspects of production and finishing, both as a pipe maker and as Production Supervisor. Sam began making pipes like many other pipe makers, as a hobby, but that quickly developed into a more serious enterprise. Sam’s handmade pipes exhibit a strong sense of dynamism through his use of interesting colors, sinuous lines, and playful proportions. When Sam isn’t at the BriarWorks shop he enjoys making music, polishing his boot collection, and spending time with his wife Emily and their adorable son, Ayo.
More information about Sam and his work can be found at http://www.samadebayo.com. Sam’s handmade pipes are also available at http://www.scandpipes.com and http://www.smokingpipes.com.
Emily Adebayo, Pipe Finishing / Quality Control / Customer Service & Social Media
Emily joined the BriarWorks team in March of 2015, along with her husband Sam. Emily is originally from the Woodstock, IL area. After joining BriarWorks, she quickly became an invaluable part of the team, despite not having previous pipe making/finishing experience. Emily is involved in many aspects of BriarWorks’s operations, including finishing, quality control, customer service, social media, and keeping the rest of us in line. Emily balances all of her involvement in BriarWorks with the responsibilities of raising her super cute son, Ayo, and husband, Sam. Despite all those responsibilities she finds time for sewing, music, and the weighty burden of being a Chicago Bears fan.
Micah Redmond, Pipe Maker / Admin / Customer Service
Originally from Jacksonville, FL, Micah joined the BriarWorks team in May of 2015 and is involved in pipe production and finishing, administration, graphic design, and customer service. Micah started making handmade pipes as a hobby in 2009 and after many years working in the white collar business world, made a career change from spreadsheets to sanding discs. Micah’s previous work experience helps round out the wide range of skill sets needed to run a business and manufacture pipes, making him a valuable asset to the BriarWorks team. Micah’s handmade pipes are influenced by American, Japanese, and Danish pipe making aesthetics with some modern and fun applications of proportion and color. When Micah isn’t at the BriarWorks shop working on pipes, he dabbles in music and art.
For more information about Micah and his work can be found at http://www.micahredmond.com. Micah’s handmade pipes are also available at http://www.scandpipes.com, http://www.smokershaven.com, and http://www.smokingpipes.com.
Bill Shalosky, Pipe Maker
Originally from Columbus OH, Bill joined the BriarWorks team in June of 2015 and is an integral part of the production and finishing team. Bill received a BFA from the Columbus College of Art and Design and his education and experience in a variety of fine arts disciplines, including woodturning and ceramics, have had a direct influence on his work as a pipe maker. Bill started making handmade pipes about ten years ago under his own name and for Chheda pipes, and has developed a style that makes most of his work recognizable from across the room. He also worked refurbishing and repairing countless estate pipes when he worked at Smokers’ Haven in Columbus. Bill has a wealth of pipe making experience and knowledge all of which is evident in the quality of his work. Bill is an avid fisherman, firearms enthusiast, self-described metalhead, and wearer of vests.
More information about Bill and his work can be found at http://www.billshalosky.com. Bill’s pipes are also available from http://www.blueroombriars.com and http://www.smokingpipes.com.
Other BriarWorks Related Articles
- The Briarworks Pipe-Story in a Nutshell in Todd's own words
- Here is a great interview with Todd and Pete by Andrew Wike of Smokingpipes.com: Briar Works Raising the Bar
- You may also like to listen to Brian Levine's interview with Todd and Pete on the PipesMagazine.com Radio Show
For more information see the BriarWorks International Website
Contact Information:
BriarWorks Website: http://briarworksusa.com/ 3653 Trousdale Drive, Suite D Nashville, TN 37204 Phone: 615.333.2755 Email: info@briarworksusa.com