Juergen was born in Germany and spent his youth as an apprentice in his father’s timber frame company. At the age of sixteen, he started his three year education as a German Timber Framer with earning a Master’s Degree in 1989. He’s also holding a degree as a Master of Business Administration.
In 1990, Juergen founded the world’s first privately owned joinery center (producing pre-cut timber frames for professionals). In the following years he developed multiple joinery centers and timber frame companies in Germany, in addition to teaching timber framing and consulting with several German consulting companies and master schools.
In 2007 he moved from Germany to the USA becoming Production Manager at the first North American joinery center. With the beginning of 2011, he began teaching at seminars and workshops for and together with the University of British Columbia (UBC) and the Timber Framers Guild (TFG) to support the education of timber framers and carpenters.
Finally, in 2012, he found his way to beautiful British Columbia and recently joined the succesful team of OT Timber Frames in 150 Mile House.
At an early age, Ruedi knew he loved woodworking and carpentry. Having grown up on his family’s dairy farm in Switzerland, there were lots of opportunities for Ruedi to develop his skills with a variety of building projects that the farm needed. He was inspired to pursue a career in carpentry by his older brother, Rolf, who was the first to become a carpenter in the Baumann family.
Ruedi worked hard as a Timber Framer in Switzerland for 6 years, spending 9 months studying master carpentry at a vocational school. Then he and his buddy Stefan cooked up a plan one night to head to Canada to become log home builders. He started his Canadian journey in Williams Lake with a leading log home company; and while in Williams Lake, he fell in love with the Cariboo, met a few significant people, and decided “This is the place”.
In 2015 found his way over to the OT Timber Frame Family as a Timber Framer/Carpenter. He brought incredible attention to detail, and a passion for building quality homes that’s only grown since!
During his free time, he can be found taking in the Cariboo, snow, and sunshine, on the slopes, or around a campfire with his family.
The beginning of Oliver’s career in the timber works industry started in 1990 back in Switzerland, he spent 5 years in practical applications, and then was indentured for a formal 3-year apprenticeship in European Timber Framing. Upon completion of his apprenticeship and university preparation courses, he continued his education by attending university, studying applied sciences, and graduating in 2002 with a Technical Master Timber Framer Diploma.
Ready to take the next step, he moved to Canada in 2003, studying the art of handcrafted log building from a leading log building company. After a few years of heading up their timber frame operation; Oliver began his journey to start OT Timber Frames ltd, founding it in 2009. His vision was to specialize in quality, creative, solid, and unique timber frame building systems, accents, and structures.
Oliver has now built up the incredible company that OT Timber Frames Ltd is today, and has since brought on a team of talented and skilled craftsmen with the mission to deliver excellence in every project.
Kaila’s career in carpentry began in highschool, she then continued to learn through the ACE-TT program and a timber framing course in Cranbrook, BC. Her role at OT Timber was a result of her hard work and natural ability, she continues to thrive at the opportunity to learn new skills and expand her knowledge.
When she’s not enjoying finishing and detail work she can be found exploring the outdoors with her dog Copper or hanging out at game nights or bonfires with her friends.
Dean has well over 10 years of experience in the wood processing industry and brings a love for working with wood and has an incredible talent for maximizing the utilization of raw logs, custom sawing timbers, and dimension lumber.
Dean joined the OT Timber Frames Family back in 2014 and is currently our Head Sawyer and Yard Manager. He ensures that OT Timber Frames’ Timber Framers and Carpenters have the precisely cut timbers needed to manufacture your timber frame structure. His level of detail that he brings to every project, allows us to make sure everything fits perfectly, and bring our customers a stunning result.
When he’s not at work, Dean can be found blacksmithing, knife making, wood working, as well as hunting and fishing.
Lesley has worked in various facets of carpentry her entire working career. She completed carpentry school in 2005, and went on to learn the craft of log building and developing the skills that would eventually introduce her to heavy timber framing.
After a few years in the log building industry working with a major company, Lesley began a new journey as an independent contractor, specializing in framing, trim, window and door installations, wood and tile floor installations, and siding. Her passion for wood working has led her to OT Timber Frames Ltd, and is now the Lead Hand Timber Framer/Carpenter, overseeing projects from start to finish. She takes pride in approaching every project with a keen eye for detail and delivering the projects she’s on with a level of excellence.
Aside from her love for carpentry and wood working, Lesley loves to spend her free time out playing softball, gardening, or spending time relaxing with her dog Kash.
