Meet the Carpenter: Ed Mack - "Choose your path. Not the path everyone else wants of you."

I remember driving my little electric truck behind my dad's truck to the spec house.

Growing up, I was always on job sites.

He would give me a box of roofing nails and tell me to pound them into the subfloor. I remember getting yelled at when I veered too far from the chalk-lines.

Every summer was spent working with my dad.

I remember pouring footers, laying block, framing walls, roofing, shingling, siding, rough-in electric and plumbing, and finishing houses.

But I wasn’t set on the trades. ⠀

How'd you get into the trades?

My parents and everyone else strongly opposed me entering the trades.

They wanted me to go to college and get a degree.

After high school, I joined the Army Reserves and went to college.

It was fun for awhile but I felt like I was in the wrong place.

I spent a lot of time on active duty orders with the Army and I missed a lot of school.

It took me being gone from the States and my family for a year to figure out what I wanted to do.

I realized I wanted to pursue carpentry regardless of what anyone thought.

I wanted a vacation not just a job.

Something that I could devote my life to. A craft I could study.

Something fulfilling and impactful.

I left college in my junior year. And for the last 4 years I've worked full time for my dad.

I have taken over much of the responsibility for the company and now we're focused on new construction.⠀

What makes you excited about the future of construction?

The advancements in building materials and building science. The houses we are building today are awesome!

Not only in regards to structure and weather management but the insulation, heating & air etc. ⠀

Homes are better and more efficient than ever before and I think people are starting to see the benefits of building new.⠀

What are a couple things you're most proud of?

I'm a lead carpenter for Eddie Mack Construction, a company that my dad started in 1970. ⠀

I'm an Army veteran and recently married my high school sweetheart.

And last year I purchased land to build my own house.

And I work on it at night and on the weekends after work.

I love all aspects of carpentry but framing is my passion.⠀

What's your mantra?

"All In, All The Time."

Where can people connect with you?

Ed Mack // 24, Lead Carpenter at Eddie Mack Construction

Hammr Profile hammr.com/ed‍

Instagram @tradesman_41