As Ian says, he "was born in England at a very early age." After graduating from school at 15, he entered a five year apprenticeship contract, working full days in the field and attending the Leeds College of Technology nights and weekends. Upon completion of this apprenticeship, Ian received two degrees - the Yorkshire Building Degree and the prestigious City and Guilds of London Degree.

Ian moved to Santa Barbara in 1973 where he worked as a car mechanic for two years. He returned to carpentry as an independent finish carpenter where "I was able to pick and choose the projects I wanted to work on, so I was able to do some wonderful fine woodwork." Ian met Dennis Allen and Ian Cronshaw in 1980 and "after teaching them everything they know, and then some," he was hired at Allen Associates to do the most challenging and beautiful projects. Ian began at Allen Associates as a finish carpenter, overseeing a crew of 12. He is now a full Associate, managing whole house remodels and new residential construction projects. His projects have won numerous national and regional awards.

Ian approaches his projects by visualizing the finished product and then charting a path to get there. Ian feels he has been very fortunate during his career. The most rewarding aspect of his job is seeing the satisfaction on his client's face upon completion of a project.