George Goodwin
Founder, Chairman of the Board, Technical Consultant
“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”
– Calvin Coolidge
George Goodwin founded Goodwin Company in 1976 and is considered the pioneer of the River-Recovered® process. His passion for sawing old wood is alive and well as he is still the company sawyer. When Goodwin first opened, George ran a circular sawmill that required much man handling. Today, as technology has evolved, he can be found high up on the saw deck in an air-conditioned cab with glass on three sides that allows him to see almost the entire operation.
George describes his mill as being unique to other large hardwood sawmills where a press of a button allows the machine to make most of the decisions. Centuries old River-Recovered® heart pine logs and thousand-year-old heart cypress must be carefully rotated to render the highest and best yield.
When he isn’t sawing, George might be found on the river or wrestling logs out of the Goodwin log pond as seen in an episode of the DIY network television series, Barnwood Builders. He also enjoys serving up watermelons to the Goodwin team on hot Florida afternoons. George can occasionally be found in the cabinet shop when there is some heavy work to accomplish, such as crafting the stairs for a historic restoration project.
Carol Goodwin
President
“It takes 20 years to make an overnight success.”
– Eddie Cantor
Carol Goodwin is President and co-founder of Goodwin Company. She is involved in the daily administration of sales, operations, accounting and marketing, giving her a comprehensive understanding of heartwoods and Goodwin products. She is certified as a wood floor inspector by the Inspector Training Services for Floor Coverings Association and holds Master Craftsman and Vanguard certificates from the National Wood Floor Association.
Carol has long been active in supporting and promoting environmental causes in the reclaimed wood industry. Her professional activities include founding the Reclaimed Wood Council, the Wood Floor Guild and the Association for the Restoration of Longleaf Pine. She also chaired the National Wood Floor Association’s Environmental Committee for four years. Carol currently serves as Programs Committee Chair for the U. S. Green Building Coalition’s (USGBC) Heart of Florida Chapter and is past Board Member and Education Committee Chair for the Florida Green Building Coalition.
Carol shares her vast knowledge through regular presentations to the consumer and professional community. She has written numerous articles and booklets on environmental and green building topics. Publications include the educational booklet, Longleaf Legacies ¾ Restoring an Ecosystem for Profit and Pleasure.
It is somewhat difficult to keep track of Carol because she is constantly on the move. She might be found assisting customers in the showroom, completing paperwork in the office, making samples in the warehouse, or giving presentations about reclaimed wood across the country.
Joe Collins
Saw Mill Maintenance Manager
“Buy as much as you want. We’ll Make More.”
– Joe Collins
Goodwin’s “sawdog” started his trade as a mill laborer and is now a talented carpenter and millwright. He gained his mastery of sawmill machines partly through working for large commercial production sawmills. Joe has also starred on the television show, Ax Men, which highlighted his time spent harvesting timber as a master deadhead logger on the Suwannee River.
While Joe is able to step into almost any role in the mill, his primary responsibility is overseeing the extensive maintenance of equipment and buildings that is required to keep an operation the size of Goodwin efficient and productive.
During his spare time, this “sawdog” still enjoys scuba diving in the river and he has been a lifelong drummer in the local music scene.
Jeffrey L. Forbes
Corporate Communications Manager
“Nothing is so embarrassing as watching someone do something that you said couldn’t be done.”
– Sam Ewing, Chicago White Sox
Jeffrey Forbes brings a wide range of experience and expertise to the Goodwin team. Jeffrey holds a B.A. in Anthropology from the College of William and Mary in Virginia. Prior to joining Goodwin, Jeffrey spent 18 years in the roof truss industry. He has quite an affinity for distinct styling and unique architecture, admiring the work of esteemed architects, including his favorite, A. Hays Town.
Jeffrey considers himself an avid student of all southern culture, literature, flora, fauna, architecture and history, and, most especially, food! Jeffrey is also an accomplished musician. He sings and plays guitar, dulcimer, mandolin and banjo.
Jeffrey is a member of the Sweetwater Shapenote Singers and is also the senior warden of the Episcopal Church of the Mediator in Micanopy, Florida; President of the Friends of Paynes Prairie CSO.
Leisure activities include reading books by his favorite authors (William Faulkner, Thomas Wolfe, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings and C.S. Lewis), traveling abroad (Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Norway, France and Italy) and spending time with his lovely wife, Megan.
Sheila Grigg
Business Manager
“The success of a project is best predicted by the enthusiasm of its participants.”
– Jonathan Lockwood Huie
Sheila brings large construction company management experience from her prior position at one of the largest contractors in the nation. Her exceptional expertise in both people skills and accounting are a rare combination. Her attention to detail includes all aspects of customer service, adding tremendous value to Goodwin’s ability to retain high-end clientele.
Miguel Scannone
Operations Manager
“To go against the dominant thinking of your friends, of most of the people you see every day, is perhaps the most difficult act of heroism you can perform.”
– Theodore H. White“Your example is far more influential and inspiring than any words of instruction, or threats, or even words of encouragement.”
– Jonathan Lockwood Huie
Miguel Scannone is responsible for overseeing the Goodwin production team and optimizing the manufacture of finished products. He assists with the planning, coordination and control of manufacturing processes and is in charge of Manufacturing Efficiency, Safety and Product Development. Miguel is skilled at evaluating wood species and grades to meet the exact specifications of each order. He holds a mechanical engineering degree from the Universidad Central de Venezuela and has held previous positions as production manager for a total of 15 years at two other manufacturing companies. Miguel keeps a close eye on the equipment and production crew, supporting the supervision and facilitation of daily manufacturing operations.