Meet The Team

Chad Lippincott, Co-Founder

As an experienced Homebuilder in South Alabama, Chad saw firsthand the critical need for a local cabinet shop that could consistently deliver both exceptional quality and unwavering reliability. This recognition was the catalyst for founding Artisan Woodworks. Chad's deep understanding of the construction process, project timelines, and homeowner expectations ensures that the company's entire operation is geared toward seamless integration with building projects. He provides the foundational perspective that drives our commitment to becoming the most trusted custom cabinet partner for builders and clients in the region.

Lee Hooks, Co- Founder

Lee Hooks brings a valuable, complementary dimension to the company as the owner of The Stone Gallery. His daily work involves providing premium stone countertops throughout the area, meaning he inherently understands the final aesthetic and installation needs of kitchen and bath projects. Lee's expertise ensures a holistic approach to design. His involvement guarantees that the entire process—from designing the custom cabinets to coordinating the finished countertop installation—is cohesive, resulting in a beautiful and perfectly integrated final product for the client.

Dustin Smitherman, Co-Founder

Balancing his professional life as a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist), Dustin serves as the company's indispensable organizational and numbers guru. He is the strategic force behind Artisan Woodworks' efficiency. While his partners focus on design, construction, and sales, Dustin ensures the operational backbone is robust and financially sound. His meticulous attention to detail and commitment to structured processes keep every custom cabinet project on time, on budget, and running smoothly, solidifying the company's reputation for reliability.

John Swafford, General Manager

With an incredible 40-year career in construction, John Swafford brings a wealth of hands-on expertise to Artisan Woodworks. His background spans nearly every facet of the industry, from the precision required in cabinet painting to the complex logistics of a construction superintendent. As our General Manager, John now oversees all day-to-day operations. His primary focus is ensuring that every step, from the initial cut to the final installation, proceeds flawlessly. John's four decades of experience guarantee that no detail is missed, ensuring every project meets our rigorous standards for quality and that all installations go smoothly.

Keith Gardner, Assistant Manager & CAD Specialist

Keith Gardner is the vital link that translates a client's dream into a digitally precise reality. As Assistant Manager and our dedicated CAD Specialist, Keith is responsible for developing all computer-aided design drawings. He takes conceptual ideas and transforms them into detailed, accurate blueprints that meet both the client's vision and the technical specifications of the project. Furthermore, Keith directly programs our CNC machine with these designs. His expertise ensures that the precision cutting and superior fit of your custom cabinets are locked in from the moment the drawing leaves the computer. Keith also plays a key role by meeting with clients on design, ensuring clear communication throughout the process.

James Swafford, Sr., Lead Paint and Finish Technician

With extensive experience in finishing work, Jimmy Sr. plays a leadership role in the department. He is key to preparing surfaces, mixing custom colors, and supervising the application of all paints and stains, ensuring a consistently high-quality, enduring finish on all our custom cabinetry.

Jimmy Swafford, Jr., Paint and Finish Specialist

Jimmy Jr. works meticulously within the Paint and Finish Department, applying the final coats and specialized finishes. His attention to detail ensures every cabinet and component achieves a flawless, professional look that meets both the client's specifications and our high standards for durability.

Kenneth Hall, Paint and Finish Technician

Kenneth is a dedicated member of the finishing team, expertly handling the preparation and application stages. He ensures surfaces are perfectly prepped for paint or stain, contributing directly to the final, smooth, and professional appearance of every piece that leaves our shop.

Todd Gardner, Head of Machinery and Building

Todd leads the critical department responsible for both the operation of our machinery and the physical structure of the cabinets. He ensures the advanced CNC machine runs optimally and oversees the initial assembly and construction phase, guaranteeing every cabinet is built to precise specifications.

Zac Egan, Machinery and Building Specialist

Zac is essential in operating our production machinery and assisting with cabinet construction. His focus is on accurate component production and assembly, ensuring that the precision cuts from the CNC machine are translated into structurally sound cabinet boxes and doors.

Taylor Elmore, Machinery and Building Specialist

Taylor contributes to the efficiency and accuracy of our production line. He is skilled in handling the machinery and assisting in the physical building of cabinet units, playing a key role in maintaining the high quality and rapid turnaround of our custom millwork.

Robert Leigh, Machinery and Building Specialist

With a deep-seated passion for woodworking and an eye for structural integrity, Robert is responsible for the precise assembly of our cabinetry. He takes the high-precision components produced by our CNC machine and expertly crafts them into the durable, high-quality units our clients expect.

Dillion Johnson, Cabinet Installation Specialist

Dillion is responsible for the seamless integration of our custom cabinets into the client's home. His expertise lies in professional installation, ensuring that every piece—from complex built-ins to kitchen units—is level, perfectly fitted, and securely anchored, completing the Artisan Woodworks experience with a flawless finish.

Danielle Smith, Administrative Assistant

Danielle is the organizational heart of the Artisan Woodworks office and often the first friendly voice our clients hear. As our Administrative Assistant, she plays a vital role in ensuring a seamless experience from the initial phone call to the final invoice. Danielle manages the complex scheduling of design consultations and installations, facilitates clear communication between our production team and our clients, and keeps the daily office operations running with precision. Her attention to detail and commitment to customer service are essential to maintaining the reliability and professionalism that define Artisan Woodworks.

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Serving South Alabama: Mobile, Dothan, Fairhope, Daphne, Spanish Fort, Foley, Gulf Shores, and Baldwin County.

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