Shipwright, Yacht Carpenter
From 2017 through Present:
Performed primarily restorations to yacht interiors; including gutting older cabin interiors and installing teak woodwork and teak plywood, making new doors, cabinetry and moldings, etc. to complete the restorations.
From 1982 through 1992:
While residing in New Orleans, I worked for several contractors as a renovations carpenter, until 1983, when I started a renovation/new construction company. I primarily restored and renovated older homes in the Bayou St. John, Uptown, Fauberg Marigny and the French Quarter districts of the city.
Duties included design, drawing of blueprints and technical drawings, estimating and bidding the costs of jobs and also working on a time and material or cost plus option. I acted as the job forman on all jobs as well as the lead carpenter. While performing these duties I encountered countless termite damage, old and live, in these homes and was pressed to remove the damages and restore the structures to their renewed condition. Notable projects: Whole Foods Market on Esplanade Ave; Cafe Degas on Esplande Ave.; architect's residence (new construction) on Royal St., Marigny, which appeared in Better Homes and Gardens, 1988; a restoration of a brick building at a residence on Allard St., which appeared in New Orleans Magazine (approx. 1993).
From 1992 through Present:
I have resided on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Work has included new construction, renovations throughout the Northshore, including Mandeville, Covington, Madisonville, and Enon, while acting as company owner (Bill Keller LLC), job forman and lead carpenter on numerous projects through approx. 2015 when I entered semi-retirement. Notable projects included the renovation of Christ Episcopal Church in Covington, and subsequently the total renovation of the old St Tammany Art Assoc. building, bought by the church to serve as an administration facility. Also completed a project outside of Covington whereby a 3000 sf residence was completely renovated while adding an additional 4500 sf to the residence, which appeared in Inside Northside magazine, circa 2010.
From 1973 through 1982:
I was employed by AMAX Nickel Refining Co. in Braithwaite, LA as a Research Technician working in the R&D Lab at the Plant. Performed various test involving process problem solving and process development.
