Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Donald Oakes

Arundel

Overview

26
26
years of professional experience

Work History

Owner/Manager

Mainely Makers
Kennebunk
01.2025 - 07.2025
  • Founded woodworking makerspace to foster skill development in the community.
  • Instructed and provided guidance to adults and children from the local community and visitors to the area in a variety of classes, camps and private groups including carving, woodworking, and boatbuilding.
  • Coordinated curriculum offerings and online schedule for class bookings
  • Prepared materials, tools and setups for demonstrations and hands-on learning
  • Managed inventory or ordered supplies as needed

Owner/Manager

Lower Village Workshop
Kennebunk
01.2022 - 12.2024
  • Owned and operated a store front in Lower Village offering a variety of adult woodworking experiences and classes, as well as custom wood products and carvings for purchase
  • Organized monthly community events at the store.
  • Business was rebranded "Mainely Makers" and relocated to West Kennebunk for increase square footage & include youth classes & programs
  • Developed and implemented strategies to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty.
  • Identified new opportunities for growth, expansion, and diversification.
  • Oversaw project execution, phase progress and workmanship.

Owner

On The Square Woodworking
Kennebunk
01.2019 - 12.2024
  • Owned and managed a family carpentry business.
  • Specialized in cabinet-grade work for custom interiors, including kitchen cabinets, counter/bar tops, built-in cabinetry and shelving, wood accent walls, trim and molding, and custom furniture pieces.
  • Ensured compliance with applicable laws and regulations related to business operations.
  • Identified new opportunities for growth, expansion, and diversification.
  • Oversaw budgeting and financial management.
  • Maintained relationships with existing clients by providing superior customer service.

Owner/Manager

DLHO Carpentry & Boatbuilding
Arundel
02.2007 - 12.2018
  • Business included building and installing custom cabinetry, millwork, installation of semi-hardwood floors in residential homes in the Kennebunks, using vintage and new wood products
  • Wooden boat restorations including: a 36’ Eldridge McInnis Marblehead Class. Two year project entailed new planks from the water line down, new mahogany cabin from the sole up, completely replaced aft deck with new deck beams. Boat was relaunched and delivered to Boothbay, Maine.
  • Re-planking a 1956 Lyman Runabout
  • Re-planking, new bright work and rails on a 1931 Old Town square stern boat
  • Built an exact copy of a 1936 Essex River Gunning Float with carvel planking

Master Cabinet Maker

Mark Richey Woodworking
Newburyport
03.2005 - 12.2007
  • Master cabinetmaker at a high end architectural and millwork company.
  • Took off set plans from designer, to create cut lists and detailed technical drawings for the 8 men I was supervising.
  • Responsible for quality control, all fit and finish
  • Position required delivery of furniture grade quality product on extremely tight deadlines
  • Developed excellent organizational/time management skills.

Cabinet Maker

Perkins Wood
Portland
03.2002 - 12.2005
  • Culled, milled, and created millwork and furniture from antique barn boards, flooring, and framing
  • Responsible for cut lists, creative jigs and construction devices for curved, octagon and obscure millwork with a high attention to surface and finish.
  • Required working with a combination of hand tools, table saws, planers, etc.

Woodshop Instructor

Maine Woodworks
Saco
01.2000 - 03.2002
  • Oversaw and instructed woodshop classes at Maine Woodworks, a social enterprise of Creative Worksystems, an artisanal, cottage-style furniture business
  • Developed wood projects students could successfully build with quality that were marketed and sold to L.L. Bean & Charlie Biggs
  • Provided guidance and mentorship for adults with cognitive disabilities to lead productive fully engaged lives.

Education

Some College (No Degree) - Art History

University of Massachusetts, Amherst
Amherst, MA

Some College (No Degree) - Industrial Arts

University of Southern Maine
Gorham, ME

Skills

  • Experienced leader of small groups in shop environment
  • Accomplished in preparing & delivering curriculum and instruction
  • Seasoned professional in supporting students with guidance & mentorship
  • Adept at inventory management
  • Proven problem solving skills
  • Effective communication & interpersonal skills engaging with faculty, students & community
  • Strong work ethic & attention to detail

Timeline

Owner/Manager

Mainely Makers
01.2025 - 07.2025

Owner/Manager

Lower Village Workshop
01.2022 - 12.2024

Owner

On The Square Woodworking
01.2019 - 12.2024

Owner/Manager

DLHO Carpentry & Boatbuilding
02.2007 - 12.2018

Master Cabinet Maker

Mark Richey Woodworking
03.2005 - 12.2007

Cabinet Maker

Perkins Wood
03.2002 - 12.2005

Woodshop Instructor

Maine Woodworks
01.2000 - 03.2002

Some College (No Degree) - Art History

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Some College (No Degree) - Industrial Arts

University of Southern Maine

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Donald Oakes