UTT Construction, Inc.

I first moved to Santa Barbara in 1968 from North Hollywood. I installed organic gardens, built a corral, re-roofed Sandyland Nursery in Carpinteria & stayed on as a carpenter’s helper. I was later formally trained as a cabinetmaker/carpenter, and after specializing in doors, hardware, handrails and staircase systems, I got my B-1 license. I had my own cabinet shop in 1981 when I was first licensed. My first addition/ remodel on Las Encinas Road included a kitchen, so I rented a shop & built the cabinets as well. This later became a part of my signature work as a builder/cabinetmaker.

I sold my corporation to 2 long time employees in 2015. Bruce had run my cabinet shop for close to 35 years, & Bradley was an accomplished carpenter/contractor who had worked for me for nearly a decade. I hold a current B-1 & a C-6 California State Contractors Licenses. I teach as a part time adjunct instructor at SBCC in the Construction Technology Department & have for the last 12 years. I begin teaching an evening class in Intermediate Finish Carpentry next week. I am currently working as an expert witness on a construction related case, and have one job that I am acting as the owner’s representative on….all part time.

I think I summed that up above, but I have built well over 200 projects from small; large remodels, additions, large additions, ground up homes, 1 museum, commercial remodels; additions, multiple restaurant interiors, general contracting, cabinetry & finish work from Santa Barbara neighborhoods, historic buildings like St. Mary’s Retreat at 505 E. Los Olivas, Goleta tracts, Isla Vista Apartments, UCSB Student Housing, to the rarified air of Montecito, Hope Ranch, Hollister Ranch, Fernald Point and everywhere in between including some projects in Los Angeles. My wife proofed this & told me I should mention ARB. I had the absolute privilege to do all the finish work on the Downtown and the Montecito branches of the American Riviera Bank. Joe Campanelli was the GC. I was the cabinetmaker/finish carpenter sub. We also designed and built all the desks and furniture in the Montecito Branch as well as the custom conference room table & the really fun staircase, balustrade & handrail system.

I am retired though not completely. I try to be available for what the universe brings to me in the way of opportunity. Christa King, who was my executive assistant & office manager for nearly 20yrs mentioned to me that the board might be able to use my experience. I thought about it &decided I was interested in contributing if I am able.

I am married to the greatest woman on the planet for me. We share a love of adventure & that keeps us active & together. Yesterday we returned from over 3 weeks away on a trip to Tampa Bay to see one of our kids 7 grandkids. We have a total of 4 grown children & 5 grandsons (one is in the oven). We stayed a week, then flew to Fort Lauderdale, boarded the Emerald Princess & disembarked 15 days later in San Pedro. We transited the new locks in the Panama Canal & visited Cartagena, Columbia, Panama City, Punta Arenas, Costa Rica, Huatulco, Mexico, & Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. Cindy & I have ebikes & ride a lot. We are also RVers & have a 2015 Winnebago 5th wheel trailer that we have been all over the USA with. We plan to take 2024 off & go Nomadic again. We never made it to Maine or Kentucky! We do get out in our Rig a couple of months a year. Last summer we spent in Portland, Oregon where my sister, 2 nephews, a niece, 5 grandnieces & nephews live. I read a lot & am completely addicted to golf. My GHIN handicap index is 15.3 right now.

I’m in my 75th year on the planet and in some ways I have never felt better. I think the key to vitality is being active in body and mind. Being a builder and basically having to learn about every single sub trade, as well as engineering, architecture, & recently videography to facilitate “distance education” has kept me more than interested in life & constantly learning. I am endlessly fascinated by our building trade. Seeing the Bridge of the Americas over the end of the Panama Canal heading west, the scope of the edifices that are built there, & what they do, is just mind boggling. It makes me feel that I never want to or will stop growing or learning.