About Us

Educated

Our wood craftsmen are graduates of the nation’s only certified wood finishing institute. The never-ending quest for more knowledge is what keeps us interested and always learning.

Experienced

Our experience and knowledge, plus the fact that we really enjoy what we do, is the reason our work is always of superior quality.

OUR TEAM

David Smith

David Smith

President

  • Graduate of the National Institute of Wood Finishing – 1994
  • Davills Wood Finishing – Business owner until 2008
  • Education Director – Hastings Architectural Restoration, Annapolis, MD 2002-06
  • Visiting Instructor – National Institute of Wood Finishing 98 – 2013
  • Instructor at Marc Adams School of Woodworking
  • Fresh Air Finishers – President 2008 – Present
Dave Gunderson

Dave Gunderson

CFO

  • Graduate of the National Institute of Wood Finishing – 1999
  • Owner Gunderson Restoration, specializing in Historic woodwork restoration – 2000 – 2008
  • Featured in American Bungalow Magazine – 2003
  • Restored woodwork at Floyd B Olson House Minneapolis – 2003
  • Restored woodwork in Laduc Mansion, Hastings MN – 2004
  • Featured in the Highland Villager – 2005
  • Launched Fresh Air Finishers with David Smith – 2008
Mitch Kohanek

Mitch Kohanek

Historic Coatings Consultant

  • Instructor for 35 at the National Institute of Wood Finishing, retired 2013
  • Interned at Smithsonian Conservation and Analytical Laboratory
  • American Institute of Conservation, Member
  • Featured in Better Homes and Gardens
  • Featured Wood and Fine Woodworking Magazines
  • Instructor at Marc Adams School of Woodworking 1993 – Present
  • Wood Finishing Consultant to the Wood Finishing Industry
  • Offers Customized Training: White wood finishing, Color Theory, Spot Repair, Restoration, Wood Finishing
  • Consultant for FAF – 2013 – present
Rick Bean

Rick Bean

Touch-up Artist / Wood Finisher/ Estimator

  • Graduate of the National Institute of Wood Finishing – 2001
  • Wood Finisher – Davills Wood Finishing, St. Paul, MN
  • Project Manager – Hastings Architectural Restoration, Annapolis, MD
  • Touch-up Artist – Finish-it Green, Bowie, MD
  • Touch-up Artist / Wood Finisher – FAF
Jamie Bahrke

Jamie Bahrke

Touch-up Artist / Wood Finisher

  • Graduate Bemidji State University
  • Student of Mitch Kohanek, The Wood Finisher
Lisa Fox

Lisa Fox

Touch-up Artist / Wood Finisher

  • Graduate of University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Fine Arts
  • Graduate of the National Institute of Wood Finishing – 2013