About 50 people came out to celebrate Jamie’s legacy as Wolfworks begins its next chapter without him. They were employees, trade partners, clients, and friends; folks from way back at the beginning to today. Between the reconnecting and reminiscing Jamie told the story of “Becoming Wolfworks: Then, Now, & Next.”
From a childhood being “good with blocks” through his twenties as a “maker” the stage was being set for the next four decades building the business he is leaving in able hands. From a ragtag crew of musicians following his lead to the full production team Mike Statchen led for twenty years to the era where he and Janet gained a reputation for building zero energy homes, craft and collaboration were ever present. And throughout the journey a theme of learning together with peers is apparent. All involved were celebrated.
For those who missed it, here is a video version of Jamie’s presentation. In it, he doesn’t just look back (recalling the room of love and the dailiness of it all), but forward as he describes trends that are shaping the future of building and the challenges Wolfworks will be responding to in the coming decades. He also gives special recognition to those who shaped his thinking and who had, and will have a big impact on what Wolfworks has, and will become.
After Jamie’s presentation, a few people shared thoughts and reminiscences:
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- Wolfworks architect Kyle Cruz (by phone because he was home with COVID) treasured the design collaboration and said he’d miss the metaphors
- Dave Beers, an early employee remembered driving to jobs and thinking up metaphors for how Wolfworks built for beauty
- Civil Engineer Dave Whitney remembered a first meeting and feeling right at home because we both had dogs in our offices. He recalled that whenever Jamie (who is ever cheerful) called with a project, he knew it would be different and fun
- Susan and Richard Ratzan described a series of projects we did for them in several homes, Rich noting that the quality in every detail was an ever present joy
- Mike Statchen and Karen Hartford, Wolfworks stalwarts described the family we were and the love that bound us, through thick and thin
And never at a loss for evocative words, longtime friend and professional colleauge John Abrams said this:
An old fisherman friend of mine once told me “When you fish, in this life, always use a big hook, because, even if you catch nothing, it’s more exciting to not catch a big fish than to not catch a small one.” Jamie always uses a big hook.
I met him about 35 years ago at a NESEA conference. We spent a few years organizing what were then called the Quality Building Conference. We became good friends. We started talking about our businesses. It turned into talking about business and life. We haven’t stopped. We’ve shared a ton.
At conferences, at meet-ups in Boston. On the Vineyard. Here, and elsewhere. Along with Paul Eldenkamp, and subsequently many others – we designed an organization – Building Energy Bottom Lines – of enduring value.
I retired from South Mountain last year. Jamie exited Wolfworks the other day. Now we’re talking about Next Chapters. I have a feeling we’ll be at that for awhile. And those of you at Wolfworks will be crafting and living Wolfwork’s Next Chapter, which excites me no end.
But back to Jamie – With Jamie it’s all fresh. He looks at things through a wide-angle lens. He’s an information and wisdom curator. He’s a cocked-eye communicator – not cockeyed, cocked-eye. He often sees things differently from the other people in the room. Fearlessly. All fresh. He causes others to think differently. He causes me to think differently.
Samuel Butler once said, “Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes along.” That’s how Jamie and I have lived, and it’s been a tremendous gift to learn to play the instrument of life together, a gift I will always treasure.
Many who couldn’t make it wrote to both congratulate Jamie and reminisce about their relationship with him and the work they did together. Thanks to everyone, present or not, for the gratitude and well wishes. We’re looking forward to watching and sharing in what Wolfworks becomes next!