Principals
GUYTON ASH
Respected within the company and industry as a 'carpenter's carpenter,' Guyton has an innate affinity for materials and master craftsmanship. A native of Connecticut, he remembers an 'aha!' moment as a teenager working for a building salvage company, when he cleared away layers of dirt and debris in an old barn to discover beautiful 16 inch-wide, quarter-sawn white oak planks. He became further interested in working with his hands by observing his friend's father who was a skilled cabinet and furniture maker.
Guyton began his career in the building arts as a stonemason, specializing in creating fieldstone walls and courtyards in New England. After moving to South Carolina, he enrolled at the American College of the Building Arts, where his interests expanded to working with wood, with a major in timber framing. When not overseeing the craftsmanship of the Artis team or teaching at the college, Guyton can be found in the workshop making furniture.
Graduate of American College of the Building Arts
Major: Timber Framing
Tim sites
Tim is one of the lucky ones. After a 20-year Washington, DC career in corporate marketing, Tim hung up his Hugo Boss suits to pursue his real passion: building. He’d long been remodeling houses on the side, but after his renovation of a dilapidated farmhouse in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains generated a bidding war, his second career took off. Others began tapping his creativity and aesthetic eye to realize their dreams.
From historic log cabins to 5,000-square-foot custom homes, Tim’s construction experience is broad, and his eye for buildings with unrealized potential is spot-on. Like his adopted hometown, Tim reveres historic buildings, and this is the basis of Artis. As the company’s co-founder and head of client relationships and business development, Tim has created an ideal home where his communication skills, gregarious nature and his love for building all can thrive.
Graduate of St. John’s University
Major: English Literature & Philosophy
Staff
David Rust
With a BA in History and Secondary Education, David started his career as an AmeriCorps volunteer building homes for families in need … and brings this same caring spirit to his projects at Artis. Away from work, he enjoys the great outdoors with his two daughters in a ‘83 vintage Shasta camper.
mark runyon
A Jersey Shore native turned Charleston resident, Mark finds joy in construction with Artis, valuing the familial atmosphere. A dedicated father and adrenaline junkie, he balances work with family, surfing, and jujitsu.
Julio Diaz
Julio is another enthusiastic dog lover on a staff filled with them. He’s worked in the trade for more than 12 years, and in his off hours, if he’s not fishing, he usually can be found playing with dogs Milo and Candy.
Chris Mahoney
Has spent more than thirty years in the trade; although a transplanted Yankee, Chris has discovered he has a Southern soul. He loves his new home here, and is likely to be out hiking or riding his motorcycle in his free time.
David McFarland
As our Chief Financial Officer, David is constantly surrounded by a universe of numbers. He earned an MBA from the University of Virginia and has managed several multi-million-dollar companies over the course of his career. When he is not crunching numbers, he enjoys DIY projects and a variety of outdoor activities. Counting stars perhaps?
chris stone
A proud graduate of the American College of the Building Arts, Chris’ idea of relaxing is to fix stuff, mainly small engines and boats. In fact, if not at his workshop, you’ll find him on a boat with his chocolate lab Bonita. Chris has spear-headed some of our most important historical restoration projects.
meg branan
After a career in accounting, Meg moved to Charleston to open a pet store. With the birth of her second child, she decided to sell the business and become that perfect, effortless, multi-tasking mom that makes everyone jealous. With pretty-much every verse memorized, Meg acknowledges an unhealthy obsession with the Broadway musical Hamilton.
Jeronimo Perez
A single Dad, Jeronimo is known for his work ethic and for his devotion to his family both here and back home. On a good weekend, he will manage to sneak in, what he claims is, a friendly game of soccer.
Amanda East
An artist at heart, Amanda enjoys creating during her free time … specifically oil painting. Maybe that is why she is such a great fit with Artis, where she gets to put her creative talents to use. For her, the most rewarding part of her job is seeing beautiful historic projects come together.
Carlos Daniel Ramos
Carlos comes to Artis all the way from Buenos Aires, Argentina! Family is most important to Carlos, and when he’s not thinking outside the box and problem solving at work, he is getting creative in the kitchen, testing out his latest and greatest recipes on his kids.
Braden Crutchmer
Born in New Mexico and raised in Minnesota, Braden relocated to Charleston to attend American College of the Building Arts where he’s honing his skills as a carpenter. Braden's zest for life is a blend of faith, hard work, and craftsmanship.
Thomas Fredette
Eastport, Maine birthed him. East Moriches and the US Army made him. A lineage of Hamptons craftsmen back him. Tom builds with the precision of the soldier he was and the legacy of the builders he comes from.
Cannon Wier
When he’s not working, you’ll likely find Cannon enjoying the local waterways or tending a growing menagerie of plants. A budding garden seems to stoke his imagination similar to a natural curiosity for the built world which originally led him to pursue a career in construction.
Peter McElveen
Though Peter was born in Raleigh, he considers Charleston home. He loves the building and restoration process, and is passionate about the legacy he will leave behind when the work is complete. Peter’s dream is to restore his own home in Charleston.
Nik Mahoney
Born and raised in New England, Nik moved to Charleston in 2017 and split his time between firefighting and construction. When he isn’t working, you’ll find him hanging with his wife and three children … or auditioning for American Idol to become the next legendary country artist!
Parker Sturtz
Just one look at Parker and you understand why Rocky is his favorite movie. However, the similarities end there; he is no underdog. All the way from Indiana, Parker graduated valedictorian of the class of 2023 from American College of the Building Arts.
Mike Stevens
Originally from Port Jefferson, NY, Mike moved to Charleston in 2012. He’s passionate about delivering quality work, enjoys fishing, and values family above all. His calm under pressure stems from meditation.
Kevin Hurley
With an eye for detail and knack for trim and tile work, Kevin brings 30+ years of construction experience to Artis. Away from work, you’ll likely find him fishing or breathing in some fresh mountain air.
Charles Jackson
Even after decades in construction, Charlie still revels in the unique and creative problem-solving each job presents. In his free time, you’ll likely find him gearing up for his next sailing adventure.
Dennis W. Bright Jr.
Dennis brings decades of construction experience, ensuring exceptional service and support throughout restoration projects. A Charleston native, he’s passionate about craftsmanship, classic cars, and spending time with family and friends.