From day one, you will have a team dedicated to making your dream home a reality. We strive to keep our process seamless - so the hands cutting your frame will also be the ones that
erect it.

Ken Bouvier - Founder/President

Ken began his career 35 years ago, restoring antique New England homes. Back then, projects involved disassembling then moving and rebuilding entire frameworks from seventeenth century structures. He could sense the re-birth of timberframing in the east and had a passion to be a part of it.

Through this work, Ken became enthusiastic about the design and assembly of timber frame buildings. He was especially fascinated with the historical background and unique story each structure told. Inspired by the professionals working with him, Ken developed his own expertise, expanding on traditional methods to accommodate innovative styles and designs.

Ken strives to make South County Post & Beam the best in the business. He takes great pride in helping clients work through the stages of the design and building process, facilitating the journey toward successful, satisfying results. He is a member of TFGNA - Timber Framers Guild of North America and RIBA - The Rhode Island Builders Association.

Ken's personal interests include spending time with his wife, Susan, and their two golden retrievers, Sonny and Sophie. He enjoys playing basketball, traveling, reading, and studying history and architecture.

Josh Bouvier - Principal

Josh was educated in finance and business at Northeastern University. He joined Ken in 1996 and began planning the expansion of South Country Post & Beam. During the past ten years, he has brought significant growth and added a variety of innovative and technical resources to the company.

Josh's responsibilities include overseeing the timber frame division and management of the team, real estate development, sales, client support and communication, as well as directing the company's overall operations.

Always patient and composed, his capacity to undertake complex problems and direct a desired outcome seems to come naturally to him. His favorite parts of the job are considering the possibilities for growth and helping clients achieve their goals.

Josh's interests include travel (especially to Italy), spending time with friends, cooking, and wine tasting.

Tony Barzaghi - Project Manager

Tony has over thirty years experience in the building industry, primarily in residential construction. From a very early age, Tony enjoyed building things and has turned that interest into a lifelong career.

Now, Tony supervises all phases of a wide variety of projects. His favorite part of the job is the successful completion of a project with a client who is thrilled with the results.

Tony's other interests include architecture, design, ocean sports, and winter sports.

David Kessler - Sales & Marketing Manager

Prior to joing the company, Dave spent six years in financial services. He always had a strong interest in timber construction, keeping himself informed by studying timber frame literature.

He made the transition from financial services to the timber frame business three years ago and has never looked back.

His primary responsibilities at South County Post & Beam include working with clients to make sure their home building experience is the best it can be. He is also involved in marketing the company throughout the country.

Dave's favorite part of the job is working directly with clients, helping them bring their dreams to life. He has a business degree from Connecticut College and an MBA from Babson College.

When he's not at South County, Dave spends time with his family and enjoys ice hockey, running, and wood working.

Tom Weber-Associate AIA

Tom joins South County Post & Beam with over 10 years of Architectural Design experience, both residential and commercial. He holds a BS in Communications and a Masters Degree in Architecture from the University of Michigan. Tom was a member of a design team that won an AIA Vermont award for a commercial project involving a high tech clean room facility.

Tom is the newest member of our dedicated team, and brings his varied background and light hearted approach to our team. His expertise in Sustainable Design is a welcome addition to our company, and key to our goals for continued growth and commitment to our clients.

Tom will be responsible for all aspects of design and documentation of the projects, from site planning to construction documents to cabinetry design. His easy nature and creative design approach will offer our clients new views and perspectives on their projects.

Whole not working, Tom enjoys spending time with his family, rowing and woodworking.

Mark McKaig - Senior Project Designer

Mark has more than ten years experience working in the building industry, including steel detailing on large-scale projects and residential architectural design. He earned an associate's degree in Architectural Building and Engineering Technology from the New England Institute of Technology and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Rhode Island.

Mark's daily responsibilities include developing frame designs and 3-D timber frame computer models for potential projects. He added timber joinery to the computer models and prepares shop drawings detailing the timber frame.

Mark takes the architectural design documents through the entire process from schematic to completion. His favorite part of the job is taking the clients' ideas and developing a design that works for them.

Mark's other interests include painting and art.

Kayti Poplaski - Project Designer

Kayti continues her education in Architectural Building at New England Institute of Technology. Throughout her career she has worked on both residential and commercial projects, including schools and hospitals. She also designed the Animal Shelter for the town of Westerly, RI in 2001.

Practicing for the last seven years she has become proficient in AutoCAD, Architectural Desktop and Sketch Up.

Kayti's responsibilities include developing timber frames and creating construction documents.

Her favorite part of the job is to deliver a completed job to a satisfied client.

When Kayti is not working you will most definitely find her spending time with her family.

Bruce Decker - Designer/Master Craftsman

Bruce has collaborated with South County Post and Beam on multiple projects over the years. He has been an inspiration and an integral part in the design and building of our interior projects, often with a focus on Asian design. His backgrounds in art and sculpture have been an asset in the design of landscape structures and components.

Bruce began learning woodworking within his family before taking an apprenticeship in cabinetmaking. Not long after, he became well versed in all phases of construction. He spent years in the boatbuilding industry and, not only became an expert furniture and stair builder, but also contributed to the design and execution of curved stairs.

Bruce attended the '93-'94 Prince of Wales Institute of Architecture in London England. In '94-'95, he received his Master of Arts Degree in Historic Building Conservation studies from the Institute of Advanced Architectural Studies, University in York, England. During that time in England, he worked with thatchers from Scotland, Ireland and England. He also studied lime plaster and lime washing.

Bruce's favorite part of the job is working with clients to help them develop and realize their designs.

When not involved in a work related project, Bruce can be found amidst his other passions, photography and sculpture. Bruce also appreciates World Music and has been a DJ for more than 25 years to promote expression of this genre.

Ben Van Oot - Lead Timber Framer

Ben began his career in residential remodeling and architectural design. He has been timber framing for the past seven years.

Ben started remodeling in college and became interested in timber framing as a quality way to build homes. Working in New Hampshire as a timber framer, he rose to the position of Job Captain within a year. Eventually, he moved back to Rhode Island to join South County Post & Beam.

In his role as Lead Timber Framer, Ben reviews the architectural design of the structure and the application of joinery techniques with the computer files. He plans and implements the shop flow and supervises raisings.

Ben's favorite part of the job is participating in timber frame raisings with clients, watching their planning become a reality.

He is a member of the TFGNA - Timber Framers Guild of North America. When he's not working, he spends time with family, enjoys art and museums, and is often involved in a home improvement project.

Todd Bissell- Timber Framer/Job Captain

South County Post & Beam was delighted when Todd joined the company in 2005.

For more than 20 years Todd has been in the industry.

Todd handles the site and travel logistics, directs frame raisings and manages panel installations.

His favorite part of the job is collaborating and working as a team with his own crew and new professionals while on specific job locations.

He is a member of The Timber Framers Guild of North America. Todd enjoys spending time with his family and attending his children's sports activities.

Bill Davis-Lead Hundegger Operator

Bill joined the company in 2001 and has become indispensable and extremely dedicated to his job.

Bill is responsible for managing, monitoring and operating our Hundegger timber cutting machine which offers the latest in Computerized Numerical Control technology (CNC).

His responsibilities include maintenance of the CNC joinery K2 machine and accurate and safe operation.

His favorite part of the job is feeling satisfaction when a project is completed in its entirety.

Bill enjoys spending time with his family, especially his grandson Cameron.

Steven Corley- Sawmill and Hundegger operator

Steve came to South County Post & Beam in 2001 and has become an integral part of the team ever since.

After completing military duty at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, Ct. his quest was on to find just the right timber frame company to work for. The right fit was found for both Steve and South County.

Steve is one of our Hundegger operators and does program file review prior to cutting. He also is a sawmill operator, milling timbers and boards. Steve is also involved in timber processing and frame installations.

Steve enjoys spending time with his wife Kelly and their two dogs Casey and Tug.

Team of Carpenters

Our crew lives and breathes timber frame homes. They take great pride in their work and you will see that quality in all they do. The same crew that cuts and constructs your frame in our workshop will erect it onsite, providing seamless consistency.

Seeing your timber frame home come to fruition will be one of the most thrilling times of your life. Our team provides fast response, day-to-day accessibility and flexible customer care. Our expert carpenters have many years of experience building and restoring a wide variety of timber frame structures. We are a company of designers, carpenters, joiners, planners, craftsmen, and support staff - we love what we do and it shows in our work.

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