richard pollard
Owner │ Designer │ Master Craftsman
Richard’s journey to creating functional wood art wasn’t exactly a straight path. He started his career in Engineering and Science, beginning with Electrical Engineering. Over time, his projects involved more mechanical design, requiring both embedded and standalone software solutions.
This career path eventually led him into full-time software development, first in highly technical environments and later into business-oriented software. Along the way, he had some pretty exciting roles—like serving as a Lead Engineer on the first U.S. National Ballistic Missile Defense program and leading the design of a predictive statistical model for Hyundai's first Just-In-Sequence (JIS) automation system. After moving into full-time software, he became the Lead Software Architect for the Executive Office of the President during the Obama administration.
After the birth of his daughter, he decided to take a break and focus on the most rewarding job of all—being a dad. That’s when Ébéniste Treasures came to life, offering the perfect blend of creativity and the flexibility of working from home.
So, how did he transition to woodworking? It all started when he was about five years old, tinkering in his dad’s basement shop. But the real spark was his seventh birthday when he received a Black & Decker saber saw, officially kicking off his woodworking hobby.
Growing up in Ohio, Richard was lucky to have Roman Yoder, an Amish Master Craftsman, as a neighbor and mentor. During his teenage years, when he wasn’t working in Mr. Yoder's apple orchard, he was soaking up as much woodworking knowledge as he could from this expert. More recently, he’s had the chance to learn from some incredible craftsmen in the South of France.
Now, Richard calls Columbia, Maryland, home, where he continues designing and crafting beautiful, one-of-a-kind wood creations.
