Union Advisory Board
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.
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
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)
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.