Union Advisory Board

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Greg Ricketts

Advisory Board Chairman

Originally from Mesa, Arizona.  I grew up in hands on, do-it-yourself household where my father built or repaired virtually everything around the house and expected the same from his son.  I studied biology and genetics at University of New Mexico while working as a scientific glass blower and glass lathe operator.  I retired from the Federal Aviation Administration from in 2018 as the Director of Leadership Development and Labor.

I became deeply interested in cast iron bench planes after retirement and began researching the in-house brands of tools sold by Sears, Roebuck & Co. from 1902 to present.  I have authored articles and/or type studies on Fulton, Merit, Dunlap, and Craftsman cast iron bench planes.  I provide instruction on traditional japanning of cast iron tools and have written multiple articles on the subject.

Because of my interest in Hardware and Department Store branded hand tools, I have owned, restored, and used a wide variety of manufacturers planes including Stanley Rule & Level, Siegley Tool Company, Sargent & Company, Ohio Tool Company, Union Manufacturing Company, Hibbard, Spencer & Bartlett, Buckeye Saw Vise Company, Shelton, Vaughn & Bushnell, Schmachtenberg und Türck, Gebr. Kunz, Millers Falls Tool, Peck, Stowe & Wilcox, E.C. Sterns, Record, and Clifton. 

My wife and I currently live in Alexandria, Virginia in a 130-year-old historic home where the 128 year old original carriage house serves as my shop.


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Nick Trusty

Advisory Board Treasurer

Education

University of Arkansas, 2006  Bachelor of Arts- Anthropology

University of Central Arkansas, 2008  Master of Arts- US & European History

Arkansas State University, 2018  Ed.S- Educational Leadership 

Career

Ark Federal Credit Union    2006-2013

Teller, Head Teller, Loan Officer, Sr. Loan Officer, Assistance Service Center Manager

Arch Ford Education Service Cooperative  2013- Present

Classroom Teacher, 2013- 2016

Campus Supervisor,  2016-2018

Asst. Regional Program Director, 2018- Present

Tool Interests

Union

Keen Kutter

Tongue and Groove Swing Fence Match Planes

European Brass measuring, marking, & levels


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Chuck Hartman

Commerce Advisor

Education

York College 1980, AS degree Accounting

Millersville University 1983, BS degree Math/Computer Science

Career

Co-owner Lancaster Starter & Alternator Inc. established 1995

St. Peter Parish, Columbia PA Parish Council 1995-2000,

Finance Council 1998-2003, President Finance Council 2001-2003

St. Richard Parish, Manheim PA Parish Council 2006-2012,

Finance Council 2003-current; President Finance Council 2006-2014

Tool Interests

Hand plane user transitioning into collector.

Collector of Stanley Bedrock, Miller Falls, Union X planes (in order of quantity owned)


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Don Bosse

Education

916 East Metro Technical Institute, St Paul, MN. 1980 Graduate Degree in Business Machine Technology

Career

40+ Years of technical support and customer service.

Smith Micro Technologies, Technical Specialist, Service Manager, IT Asset Management Division Manager. 1980-2009.

Computer Integration Technologies Inc., Hardware Services Engineer. System building and deployment, Servers, Workstations, and Notebooks. 2010-Present.

Volunteerism.

Mentor with the Tartan High School robotics team, First Robotics League. 2009-Present.

Tool Interests and Affiliations.

Member of Mid-West Tool Collectors Association, 1991-Present

Two Term Area Director for Area – A (MN, ND, SD, Man)

Former Internet Committee Chairman 2000-2010

Member of Early American Industries Association, 2015-Present

Researcher and Author of historical articles relating to tools and trades.

Collects antique tools with a focus on the Millers Patent planes and early plow planes manufactured by the Stanley Rule & Level Co.