ABANA Board of Directors
The Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America, Inc. (ABANA) is run by a board of 15 directors elected by the membership. These elected volunteers serve as officers, committee chairpersons, and members of committees. Five of the 15 directors are elected each year for a three-year term. Business meetings of the ABANA Board are held annually near the 15th of November. In the even years, an additional meeting is held at the ABANA Conference. Between meetings, business is typically conducted by email, phone, and Zoom.
Board member through 2027.
During his time on the ABANA Board, Frank chaired or co-chaired several committees, including Publications, Communication/Marketing, Education, and the Executive Committee. Last November, the Board elected him President. Frank was actively involved in creating the function of social media coordinator, launching ABANA’s new website, hiring two new editors, and boosting ABANA’s Curriculum Education.
Frank retired from running an international engineering company. Twenty years ago, he finally got into his father’s trade and started an architectural blacksmithing business, Wood & Iron Works, in Montana, where he still lives. Frank is one of ABANA’s inaugural National Curriculum Instructors.
Board member through 2025.
Bud, along with his wife, Janelle, operates Hot Iron Blacksmith located in central Illinois. He has BS degrees in Mechanical and Metallurgical Engineering, a BSA Silver Beaver award and employed 37 years in engineering, quality and purchasing for a heavy equipment manufacturer. He is a life member of the American Society for Materials and Past President of Illinois Valley Blacksmithing Assoc. Bud’s blacksmithing mentors include Uri Hofi, Tom Clark, Mark Aspery, and other master smiths. He currently conducts 50 – 60 blacksmithing classes per year and has instructed 500+ new adult students and 300+ youth at his shop. Bud earned his ABANA National Intermediate Instructor Certification in 2022.
Board member through 2026.
My passion is for blacksmithing education and I’m excited about the work that ABANA is doing with the National Curriculum. I’ve been blacksmithing for about 10 years and instructing and demonstrating for about half of that time. During the pandemic, I started teaching and coaching blacksmithing via Zoom for both the California Blacksmith Association and ABANA and I also earned my certification as a National Curriculum Instructor. Outside of teaching, I have experience serving on the Executive Board of Adam’s Forge, a non-profit blacksmithing school in Los Angeles. My professional background is in finance, I worked as a credit risk manager at Merrill Lynch in Japan and am a Chartered Financial Analyst.
Board member through 2025.
I started my journey into the world of blacksmithing while living in Las Vegas, NV. When I returned to my home state of Illinois, I started the ABANA national curriculum courses. These structured lessons have been instrumental in honing my skills, and I am currently dedicated to advancing to Level 2 proficiency. In my professional life, I bring a different set of skills to the table as an accountant and a licensed CPA in Illinois. My career path has led me to serve as the controller for a publicly traded company, where I oversee financial operations and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. The intersection of my financial expertise and my interest in blacksmithing presents a unique opportunity for me to contribute to ABANA’s growth and sustainability. I am eager to leverage my experience to support ABANA in managing its finances effectively and strategically planning for the future.
Board member through 2027.
In the Spring of 2019, Rusty embarked on his blacksmithing journey by attending a workshop at Warren Wilson College in western North Carolina. Inspired by this experience, he became a member of the Philip Simmons Artist Blacksmith Guild (PSABG) in South Carolina later that year. His dedication led him to serve on the PSABG’s Board of Directors since 2022. He is actively working on the National Curriculum with the goal of being an instructor. His primary focus lies in creating more opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds and age groups to engage with blacksmithing. He aims to foster a love for the noble craft and ensure that new smiths not only learn the art, but also retain their passion throughout their journey. Originally from Missouri, Rusty has called South Carolina home since he completed 10 years of service in the United States Navy in 1993.
Board member through 2027.
I have been a full-time blacksmith, artist, and educator since 2016. Currently,
as the Blacksmithing and Metals Coordinator at John C. Campbell Folk
School in Brasstown, NC, I work with over 52 smithing instructors and
over 1000 visitors and students passing through the studio every year. I
worked as an Apprentice at the Metal Museum in Memphis, TN, and have
traveled internationally and nationally to teach, work, learn, and compete
in blacksmithing. My passion is for expanding access to education and
creating opportunties for the smithing community. With over fifteen years of
experience working with art non-profits, I bring expertise in fundraising,
grants, scholarships, and DEIA work to the board.
Board member through 2025.
Jack came to blacksmithing in 1970 from an art and design background. ABANA conferences showed him techniques, and tooling, that helped to grow his business and generated inspiration and lifelong friendships. Jack was active on the ABANA board and in leadership positions in the 80s and now serves on the Board again. He says his interest is in helping guide ABANA into new relevance as opportunities in the digital world expand.
Board member through 2026.
Pete started smithing in 2007 making armor for full-contact medieval fighting. Pete holds several ESH board certifications, degrees in criminalistics, biology, geology & math, safety, substance abuse counseling, political science & a Doctor of Divinity, and a practicing Chaplain. Pete has been in volunteer roles with ASSE, AIHA, NETA, ANSI, ASTM, USAR, WHWB and others and has taught at Indiana University, Purdue University, OSHA Training Institute, and served as adjunct faculty at the US Fire Academy.
Board member through 2027.
I am a full-time instructor at Iron Rhino Forge Blacksmithing School in
Tempe, AZ. I started my journey as a hobbyist 12 years ago with an interest
in all things sharp and shiny. Over time, I discovered a passion for joinery
and traditional skills. In the school, we partner with teachers to cover a broad
range of blacksmithing and knifemaking skills. My passion is for large-scale
joinery projects, and working with students who have unique learning needs.
Serving the community has been a long-standing principle for me. As
the second VP of the Arizona Artist-Blacksmith Association, I serve our
community by hosting fundraisers for our scholarship fund, education, and
other administrative tasks. I firmly believe that thoughtful, forward-thinking
leadership and real-world action are key to cultivating the future to which
we aspire. One of my favorite ways to help the community is to support the
growth of hobbyists into professionals.
Board member through 2026.
Andrew Hagemann is a Navy veteran and a Colonial Williamsburg Foundation-trained blacksmith who has been smithing for nearly sixty years. He left CW in 1977 to attend college on the GI Bill. While in college, he stood at his anvil and swung a hammer to supplement his income, making Colonial American-style household items and decorative architectural ironwork. He wrote the Boy Scouts of America’s current Metalwork Merit Book, served as Metalwork Merit Badge Booth Coordinator for four Boy Scout National Jamborees, and was a Scout Leader for 20 years with the same Boy Scout Troop. He lives in southeastern Virginia with his loving wife, Diane, the love of his life. They have been married for nearly fifty years. He is an active member of the Tidewater Blacksmith Guild, where he enjoys serving as a mentor to new members of the Guild.
Board member through 2025.
John has been a blacksmith for over 50 years, including working as a farrier for 25 years. He owns his own shop which is primarily focused on architectural metalwork. He also teaches classes at his shop for groups as large as 60 students. His demonstrations have taken him throughout the USA, Argentina, and Australia. John has also served on the boards of the California Blacksmith Association (CBA), ABANA, and the National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association (NOMMA).
Board Member through 2025.
Andy Quittner has been an attorney for over 30 years, recently retiring as the city attorney for Seguin, Texas. He received a bachelor’s in science from Louisiana State University in Shreveport and an M.A. in Chemistry from the University of Texas. He received a law degree from the University of Texas, all while continuing graduate studies in chemistry. An undying interest in blacksmithing was sparked while working as a farrier in Louisiana, particularly at the New Orleans Fairgrounds, while working towards membership in the Journeyman Horseshoers Union. At the Fairgrounds blacksmith shop, making tools was part of the learning process shared by some of the “old-timers.” He considers himself an avid amateur with a strong interest in self-improvement. As someone who believes in doing more than just joining an organization, he served on the ABANA board of directors for most of the 1990s and recently stepped up to fill a vacant spot on the Board.
Board member through 2025.
Mark Sperry started blacksmithing in 1985 and it has been his sole source of income for the last 24 years. You may recognize him as one of the journeyman blacksmiths employed at the Anderson Blacksmith Shop at Colonial Williamsburg. Mark’s decision to serve on the ABANA Board of Directors was prompted by his wanting to give back to the organization from which he benefited during his career. His focus is on educational standards in the blacksmithing community and he’s willing to help with any task put before him.
Board member through 2026.
I started playing around with blacksmithing and weapon-making as a kid. However, I didn’t get serious until much later in life. After a couple of years of forging as an adult, I started teaching anyone that wanted to learn. Growing up in our entrepreneurial family I worked with my father’s marketing company. So in January 2020, it wasn’t too difficult to start Fire Iron Forge. By May of that year, I was able to quit my day job and run the shop and school full-time. In 2021 we averaged just over 300 students and in 2022 we were well over 400. Most of what we teach is the ABANA level 1 curriculum. I have a huge passion for blacksmithing and blacksmithing education. I also grew up in the church and have spent most of my life serving others through it. I hope my marketing experience and time with the church combined with running a full-service blacksmith school and shop will help carry on the blacksmithing traditions that were passed on to me through the ABANA board.
Picture Yourself Here
Help shape the future of ABANA!
Each year, 5 Board members are elected for a 3-year term. Elections are typically conducted in the summer and elected individuals will be seated in late fall. Know someone you think might be a great candidate? Forward their name and contact info to Election Committee Chair, Jack Brubaker at jbrubaker@abana.org.
ABANA Staff & Contractors
Jennifer Jhon
Hammer’s Blow Editor.
Jennifer Jhon has spent her life working as an editor, writer, designer, and artist. Her background in glass and ceramics expanded to blacksmithing in 2017. Since then she has served at the editor for the Florida Artist Blacksmith Association (FABA) newsletter, Clinker Breaker, and now works for ABANA as the editor of the Hammer’s Blow magazine. She says, “The submissions from talented blacksmith artists in the Hammer’s Blow constantly amaze me with their ability to instruct and challenge readers.”
Addison de Lisle
Editor of The Anvil’s Ring
Addison de Lisle holds a BFA in Metalsmithing & Jewelry from the Maine College of Art and Design and an MFA in Blacksmithing from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He also completed a fellowship in architectural ironwork at the Fondation de Coubertin and attended numerous workshops, conferences, and residencies around the country. In addition to his studio practice, de Lisle has taught at notable craft centers, including Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, Penland School of Craft, Appalachian Center for Craft, John C. Campbell Folk School, Center for Metal Arts, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and the American College of the Building Arts. Addison is the Editor of The Anvil’s Ring, commencing with the Spring 2024 issue.
Fritz Mayer
Executive Administrator
Fritz Mayer is the Executive Administrator at the ABANA home office in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He holds an MBA from Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland) and a JD from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Having lived in Johnstown for most of his life, he can trace his roots to the area before the Great Johnstown Flood of 1889. If you have any questions or need to update your membership, give him a call at (814) 254-4817.