Page 24 - CMA PROfiles Spring 2020

FEATURED SHOP: GLENN POPE WOODWORKING

ShopBot.

Your path

to profitability.

ShopBot manufactures CNC tools that inspire
people to turn their ideas into something
tangible. When we see cabinet
makers put our tools
to work in innovative
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our commitment to
the mission of making
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accessible and usable for everyone.

The Glenn Pope Woodworking team (L to R): Glenn, Nathanael, Dustin, Randy, Anthony, and Zayd.
Dustin and Anthony came to GPW from the Calistoga High School woodshop program. Syzygy Woodworks
Palm Coast, FL
Tool: ShopBot PRSalpha 5’ x 8’
with Automatic Tool Changer We make the tools for making the future.
a commute of less than a mile for decades — a commute he moved on, but two are still working here. That program has been
made by bicycle whenever possible. “I was fortunate to be able very good for us.”
to do that for all these years,” he says with more than a hint Pope also values the chance to talk with other shop owners when
of wistfulness. the CMA hosts regional events in his area. In 2018, he took part

TEACHING – AND LEARNING in a two-day CMA educational event in San Jose that featured
Pope may have decades of experience, but his advice to those seminars and tours of nearby shops and manufacturing facilities.
starting out is short and simple. “It always helps to see how other shops are organized,” Pope
“Write everything down — don’t trust your memory,” he says. says. “I don’t see other cabinet makers a lot, and it’s always good
“And hire good people.” to talk to other members and hear about better or alternate
methods — and it always helps to know that others have
You need good employees to deliver good work, but for Pope, struggles, too.”
the value goes beyond the execution. Most conversations with
shop owners on the topic of employees and management focus Pope is pleased that his son chose to join the business full-time
first and foremost on how they teach and train their employees; and hopes he will take over down the road.
Pope seems keenly aware of what his employees have taught him. “Nathanael worked with the business a little bit over the
“I’ve hired a lot of good people over the years,” he says. “Most years — summers, etc. — and now he is managing the shop
employees have been working other places and have picked up essentially,” he said. “We’re working on having him do more
knowledge along the way — they may know a better way to do in the office, too.”
things that you hadn’t thought of. I’ve hired guys who knew quite Like his dad, Nathanael loves to work with his hands and enjoys
a bit, and I’ve learned from them.” seeing a project come to fruition. It is his intention to continue in

But Pope has also provided opportunities for people who are his dad’s footsteps, learning the ropes and honing his craftsman
new to cabinetry, and he gives kudos to a local program for skills. Glenn and Cathy Pope also have a daughter; both his
sending great young candidates his way. daughter and her family and his son live in Santa Rosa.

“The high school in Calistoga still has woodworking programs, As he gears up for the next chapter, Pope does have one
believe it or not,” he says. “We’ve hired four kids from there over complaint about his profession and long career.
the years. All four worked for us for quite awhile; two have now “There’s way too much paperwork!”

22 PROFILES SPRING 2020