Frank
Frank is the leader and key innovator behind the Supple Collection. Before starting his own company, Frank worked as an engineer at Burton Snowboards. Through a series of meetings focused on collaboration between the engineering and marketing departments at Burton, Frank met his first business partner and shortly after the two decided to start their own business called The Public Works.
In the beginning, the company focused on creating unique solutions for live events held by major corporations. Slowly, their business developed into a large design, fabrication, and multimedia marketing firm and they began servicing many businesses in the outdoors industry.
Around this time, Frank was approached by a local businessman whose work focused on renewing public interest in libraries and was asked to design furniture for the Council Tree Library in Fort Collins. The goal was to create solutions that would change the way that librarians and patrons interacted with one another as well as the reading materials in the library. With a goal of improving flow and flexibility while also creating areas that encouraged conversation, movement, and collaboration, Frank and his team design multiple pieces of furniture made from sustainable materials to make the library more fun and interesting.
From this concept, the Supple Collection was born. Frank realized that the same ideas could be applied to all types of learning environments and that life is a journey in learning. He became inspired to create solutions that help people on their journey through life and encourage growth and innovation at all stages of learning. With the same goals in mind of fostering community and changing the way people work and learn, Frank began designing furniture for all types of learning environments, including schools, makerspaces, and coworking offices.
Today, as the owner of the Supple Collection, Frank continues to work with leaders in the community to improve the design and functionality of learning spaces.
John
John is a Colorado native with a professional background in business management and sales. After graduating from Colorado State University, John joined a company that brought him from learning alongside manufacturing operators to outside sales and after five years to the company president. It was from that position John went on to turn around three distressed companies, focusing on a “Customer is King” atmosphere, by building excellent management teams to support company efforts. After 20 years with the company he started his own real estate investment business by extensively renovating houses. Three years later, he decided he wanted to be part of an exciting growth opportunity and joined Supple to interact with clients and develop the business model throughout the United States.
John is enthusiastic about his position at Supple because he believes strongly in the company’s mission and vast potential. He enjoys being able to be part of the company’s efforts to give back to learning environments and communities as a whole, while working with the best team in the business.
Outside of work, John loves to spend time with his wife and two daughters. His interests include snowboarding, competitive mountain biking, trail running (his wife runs & wins 100-mile races!), and anything else that allows him to spend time in Colorado’s beautiful mountain environment.
Chris
Chris Connor was born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey. After growing up on the East coast he began his journey West, graduating from Knox College in Illinois. In the early 90s he made his Colorado debut, moving to Boulder. Over the years, he has held positions in numerous industries, which have spanned everything from interactive marketing to building classic acoustic guitars. Today, he also owns a company in Denver called Connor Wood Bicycles that produces handcrafted hardwood bicycles.
Chris works at Supple as the company’s Product Manager. Chris is passionate about his work because it involves a combination of craftsmanship, aesthetics, and quality. He enjoys not only being able to create beautiful furniture, but also physical objects that tell a unique story.
In his spare time, Chris enjoys various activities that involve the outdoors. When he’s not at the office, you can usually find him skiing, hiking, spending time with his family, or riding the wood bicycles he builds.
Juan
Juan Hernandez is a professional makerfrom Venezuela with an extensive background in architecture, fabrication, industrial design, and animation. After studying architecture and industrial designin Venezuela, Juan moved to Colorado and obtained a digital animation degree from the University of Colorado while working in an architectural firm. After wearing many professional “hats”, it was clear to him that his main passion was to turn complex ideas into tangible things. He then found new opportunities in New York working for a reputable company, designing and fabricating custom children’s furniture. After getting married, he moved back to Colorado to raise a family and to pursue a more hands-on approach to design challenges.
Juan is enthusiastic about his position at Supple because he enjoys the diverse and challenging nature of his work. He is excited to be surrounded by so many ambitious and hardworking individuals. Additionally, he holds a personal fascination for learning and thoroughlyenjoys being able to play a contributing role in the process of improving learning environments.
When Juan is not at work, he enjoys spending time with his family and friends. Besides having an obsession with efficiency and precision, he is also interested in thinking outside boxes, puzzles, sculptures, and Frisbee golfing.
To learn more about Juan’s interestsand professional experience, you can view examples of his worksthrough his online portfolio.
Drew
Drew Balog is a professional fabricator from Dallas, Texas. After graduating from the University of Oregon in Eugene, Drew began working in fabrication and product design. While in Eugene, he worked on several small scale fabrication projects that allowed him to collaborate with local artists. Examples of Drew’s projects can be viewed through his online portfolio.
After moving to Colorado, Drew began working at Supple as a Fabricator. Drew enjoys his position at Supple because it involves intensive hands on work and the use of sustainable materials. He sees the company as being distinctly different from other design firms because the products are designed, tested, and produced in house.
Outside of work, Drew enjoys many hobbies, including cooking, hiking, photography, and playing games with friends.