Meet the People of Honest Abe Log Homes

Honest Abe employees are dedicated, professional and loyal.

Take just a moment to look at the profiles of our Honest Abe employees, and you’ll notice many of them have been with the company for years – some for decades. Since 1979 Honest Abe staff have been helping people just like you become log or timber frame homeowners. We have a creative and innovative design department, a hardworking and conscientious manufacturing and delivery crew, and reliable and professional administrative and management team. Our sales team is committed to guiding you through the process of creating your forever home. There’s a genuine commitment to integrity here among Honest Abe employees.

Administrative Team – Leadership & Support

Josh Beasley

Josh Beasley

President

“I lead, support and facilitate the work of a talented and passionate group of people whose desire is to serve our customers,” Josh Beasley, says, describing his role as Honest Abe’s President.

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A 2001 graduate of Tennessee Tech University, Josh began his career at Honest Abe in 2003, serving as Dealer Sales Manager and Marketing Director prior to his appointment as President in 2013.

Josh’s positions at Honest Abe have given him direct contact with customers, and he’s found he likes hearing their stories.

For our potential clients, I love hearing about what has inspired them to take this path,” he said.  “My favorite stories come from long-time clients. It’s incredible to hear what many of them have overcome through life and the process to see their log or timber frame home become a reality. It’s inspiring, and makes me want to do an even better job for our next client.”

During his tenure at Honest Abe Josh has been recognized with national awards for  marketing excellence and advertising design. In 2008, he was listed in the “Top 30 Under 40” by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and he currently serves on NAHB’s Log and Timber Homes Council Steering Committee.

“I grew up in a family of construction workers,” Josh said. “I helped my dad more than a few times growing up.”

That experience helped Josh understand the role of product quality in customer satisfaction.

“This is not just a concept at Honest Abe,” Josh said. “Each of our employees is committed to helping the customer create the home they’ve always wanted.”

Josh said the company’s mission is to create a customer experience so satisfying that when the home has been designed and built and the homeowner has moved in, they would look back and choose Honest Abe all over again.

“Honest Abe homeowners tell us that all the time,” he said, adding, “It’s extremely rewarding to hear them brag on our product and – most rewarding – our people.”

Jackie Cherry

Jackie Cherry

Vice President

Honest Abe was founded in 1979, and Jackie Cherry has been here since the earliest years.

Respected for his knowledge throughout the log and timber industry, Jackie has created relationships with timber growers, equipment manufacturers and industry professionals across the country and around the world.

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Most important to Honest Abe’s customers has been his ongoing contributions in ensuring that homes manufactured by Honest Abe are stable, durable and affordable. Jackie retired as Vice President of Manufacturing, but he continues with Honest Abe purchasing and managing wood inventory and monitoring the wood drying kilns. “When we first began manufacturing log homes we used yellow poplar logs like Tennessee’s early settlers,” Jackie recalled. “But it just wasn’t suitable. We tried a lot of other species, even the yellow pine a lot of log home companies still use, but it twisted and warped too much, and we reject it.” Finally, Eastern White Pine proved to be the wood with the most favorable characteristics, and Jackie said that has been used exclusively by Honest Abe for manufacturing logs since. Jackie purchases Honest Abe’s timbers, maintaining an average nine-month inventory. “This is one of the ways we make our customers feel secure,” Cherry said. “They know that when they order their home, their logs have been purchased, prepared and protected by our company and are ready to be milled into their house. They can come and see them anytime.” Jackie has been instrumental in developing and perfecting the kiln drying systems that make Honest Abe’s wood products so stable. “The goal of kiln drying is to reach a moisture-content level that is best for most building sites, no matter where a new home is being built,” Cherry said. “We dry hundreds of logs at at a time for three to five weeks. It kills insects, reduces checking, makes staining easier and just overall produces a more desirable, stable home.” Honest Abe has created nearly 7,000 homes for people who dreamed of living in a log home. Jackie has had a part in making most of those dreams come true.

Jeff Clements

Jeff Clements

Vice President

As Vice President of Sales, Jeff Clements assists and guides the Honest Abe sales team and dealer network in providing the services and products that Honest Abe customers need.

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“The responsibility of our company carrying on its decades-long tradition of providing customers with the log or timber home they have dreamed of is not a role that I take lightly,” said Jeff, who has a 15-year history with Honest Abe. Jeff said he enjoys working with and helping people. “I greatly enjoy seeing achievements and goals being reached,” he said. “From our people achieving and growing in their careers to our customers attaining that lifestyle they have longed for – seeing these things happen gives me great satisfaction.” Jeff said he relates to people on the quest of living the lifestyle that comes with log or timber homes. “My dream of living that log home lifestyle started at an early age,” he said. “I’ve always had a great admiration of the ‘good ole days’ and a simpler time. I remember watching the TV show Bonanza as a kid and noticed that the Cartwrights lived in a log home. I knew then, that living the log home lifestyle is what would make me the happiest. I also knew the spot I wanted to build that home on our multi-generation family farm.” Jeff grew five miles from Honest Abe’s National Headquarters and knew the Smith family that owned and founded Honest Abe all his life. “I knew I wanted to be living in an Honest Abe Log Home,” he said. “Now I just had to convince my wife, Lisa. She had not had the same dream of living in a log home that I had growing up.” Lisa and Jeff visited some of the Honest Abe homes in the area witnessed for themselves the joy and pride the homeowners exhibited when talking about their homes homes. “Lisa got bit by the log home bug, and my dream became part of her dream,” Jeff recalled. “We built that Honest Abe Log Home in 1992.” Six years later, Jeff went to work for Honest Abe. “I feel blessed and honored to work for and with a great group of people,” he said. “Helping others obtain the achievement of the lifestyle that can only be obtained by log home living is a great profession.”

Josh Watson

Josh Watson

VP Operations

Josh Watson believes that efficiency is key when it comes to construction and operations.

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“The more efficient we are as a company means we are in a better position to offer our products at affordable prices and serve out customers in a timely manner,” Josh said.

Josh has spent more than decade with Honest Abe, and for 10 years, he’s managed construction and operations.

“I am in charge of making sure the process goes as smoothly as possible, scheduling construction of a customer’s house,” he said. “If you give us the pleasure of constructing your house, I will also coordinate and oversee one of our experienced labor crews in building your dream house.”

His hard-working crews are in constant demand by Honest Abe customers. Josh believes that creating a structure of beauty and lasting value – be it a house, church or commercial building – begins with quality materials and continues with excellence in construction.

“Our crews take pride in doing it right the first time and making the homeowner confident that their building is exactly what they expected,” Josh said. “When we leave a job site, our goal is that the customer would choose us all over again and welcome us back for another project.”Josh said he and his crews are humbled at the praise they receive from homeowners and feel that the many referrals they get are a testament to their desire to serve clients through excellence and integrity.

“I love my job and the satisfaction that I glean stems from knowing that I have done everything I possibly could to make sure we have a smooth transition from one process to another,” he said.

Jeff Allen

Jeff Allen

Plant Manager

Brenda Meadows

Brenda Meadows

Director of First Impressions

There’s only one chance to make a first impression. That’s why Honest Abe is fortunate that Brenda Meadows is the first person guests meet when visiting the National Headquarters in Moss.

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With 20 years as office manager, Brenda’s experience is of real value to Honest Abe’s customers – both in person and on the phone. Her knowledge is of particular benefit to prospective clients hoping to build the home of their dreams.

“I find out where they are building and connect them with the correct direct salesperson or independent dealer,” she said, referring to the thousands of calls Honest Abe receives each month requesting information and assistance.

Brenda manages the customer database, making sure that everyone who has made contact with Honest Abe gets the literature they’ve requested as well as ongoing updates and announcements.

Not only is Brenda is responsible for mailing the invitations to events such as the log raisings held at Moss several times throughout the year, she’s instrumental in coordinating registration to the free events, preparing informational packets and providing travel and lodging information for out-of-town guests.

“I love talking to people on the phone and being able to answer most of the questions they ask,” Brenda said. “Most of all, I love being a part of the Honest Abe family and working with and for such wonderful people. It is such a blessing!”

 

Bobby Collins

Bobby Collins

Operations Coordinator

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“My job is to keep everything going in the right direction,” said Honest Abe Mill Manager Bobby Collins, and he it not kidding. “Everything” includes overseeing the mill operations, helping maintain and operate the kilns, serving as liaison among the Honest Abe’s sales and design professionals and those who manufacture and deliver log and timber frame homes to customers and troubleshooting unexpected challenges.

“I order and make sure we do not run out of items that make up the log home or timber home package,” he said, adding that he also makes sure all components are included in the package before shipping.” Bobby has worked for Honest Abe and its sister companies for more than a dozen years, holding positions with Honest Abe over the past eight in customer service, scheduling and as a sales assistant before assuming the mill manager’s role. “I have been blessed to work for a company that truly cares about their customers,” he said. “Without our customers, none of us would have jobs to support our families.” Bobby said he gauges how well he and his employees have done their jobs by talking to former customers. “I get more satisfaction by talking with a customer once their house has been built a while and they are happy with the complete experience from start to finish,” he said. “That is what we are here for – to make our customers’ dreams come true.”

Logan Cortner

Logan Cortner

Project Coordinator

Samantha Isabell

Samantha Isabell

Honest Abe Log Homes Accounts Payables & Accounts Receivables

Molly Cooper

Molly Cooper

Interior Design Coordinator

With almost 5 years under her belt at Honest Abe, Molly helps customers with their home’s interior, from the very beginning of the building process to the end and all points in between.  Molly will sit down and help with floor plans and design layouts for her customers to gain the most amount of function in their homes, while keeping everything aesthetically pleasing. She will also visit customer homes helping with kitchen cabinet plans, bathroom layouts and furniture placement.

“Your home should be a reflection of you and tell the story of who you are,” Molly says. Helping Honest Abe customers turn a house into their home and make it beautiful at the same time, is exactly what Molly can do for you.

Claudia Johnson

Claudia Johnson

Director of Marketing

After a 40-year career in marketing, community development, public relations and journalism, Claudia joined Honest Abe in 2014. Claudia’s responsibilities include maintaining Honest Abe’s website and blog, managing all communications through traditional media, social media and magazine advertising, assisting with creation of publications and materials, promotion of events and lending strategic and technical support to the sales team and dealerships.

Design Team – Creativity and Inspiration

Fred Kendall

Fred Kendall

Design Manager

Fred’s responsibilities are far reaching, from dealing with engineering and building code compliance, providing support to builders, estimating materials needed for each home and providing the manufacturing team with critical information needed to produce every log or timber home.

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“I think it is important that our homes are designed to last for many years and provide the customer a home they can be very proud of,” said Fred, who has been with Honest Abe since 1987. “I am always very proud to tell someone where I work and I am very proud of the product we produce.” As Design Manager, Fred finds his greatest reward at Honest Abe in seeing customers who are “totally satisfied” with their homes and hearing them say they would do it all over again. Fred is also a Certified Green Building Professional as recognized by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).

Melissa Copas

Melissa Copas

Designer

Melissa Copas has been a designer at Honest Abe since 1998 and has helped hundreds of homeowners create the home they imagined in their dreams. “I provide customers with plans which are used to build their log home,” Melissa explained. “I also meet with customers, when they desire, to discuss their plans and any concerns they might have.”

 

Mike Hix

Mike Hix

Designer

Michael Hix has designed Honest Abe homes since 2004. He knows that an Honest Abe log home package is more than just a group of building materials – that each one is someone’s dream and distinctive in its contents.

“I love to see customers who have planned for years finally get their ‘forever’ home,” Mike said.

Sales Team – Guidance and Assistance

Greg Watson

Greg Watson

Sales Representative, Cookeville

Greg Watson,  located at the Cookeville model, has been selling Honest Abe Homes for more than 30 years, so he’s experienced at discerning what people are looking for in a home.

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“I help them get their dream home,” he said, adding that he encourages customers to express exactly what they would like to have and work with him on a plan to get it, meeting the challenge of balancing budget with desires head on.

Dan Smith

Dan Smith

Sales Representative, Mufreesboro

Dan Smith, who has been selling Honest Abe homes since 2002 at the Murfreesboro model, said he has gained great satisfaction from seeing customers realize that they can have a log or timber frame home – that it doesn’t have to be just a dream.

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“When people understand that they have many options, they often realize they do not have to settle for less than the home they’ve always wanted,” said Smith. “I like being part of that.”

Inez Price

Inez Price

Sales Representative, National Headquarters, Moss

“It is my responsibility to make the customer feel good about the investment they make with our company,” said sales representative Inez Price, adding that it’s not hard to do considering her own choice of a log home.

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Price, who has spent seven of her 10 years with Honest Abe in sales at Honest Abe’s National Headquarters in Moss, is happy to offer stories about how warm her home stays during winter and how many grandchildren her big front porch accommodates.

Price knows that customers rely on her to attend to details as their home projects progress.

“The most satisfying thing about my job,” Price said, “is assisting customers from Point A (start) to Point B (finish).”

Ethan Birdwell

Ethan Birdwell

Sales Representative, National Headquarters, Moss

Ethan Birdwell has been working in direct sales for seven years at Honest Abe’s National Headquarters in Moss.

Having grown up in a log home, he easily understands the mindset of a customer whose desire is to live surrounded by wood.

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“I like taking the visualization of their dream home and turning it into a reality,” he said, noting that with all of Honest Abe’s home, the customization possibilities really are “virtually endless,” making his job much easier.

Wayne Brady

Wayne Brady

Sales Representative, Crossville Model Home Center

Wayne Brady has more than three decades of experience in log home sales, design and project management.

“It’s a great feeling when the customer reflects back to the beginning of their beautiful new home,” he said. “That dream may have started with ideas written on a napkin 10 years ago or more. There is nothing better than to walk a customer through the stages of designing and building their log home, helping them realize it isn’t out of reach and that dreams do come true!”

 

David Mathis

David Mathis

Sales Representative, Murfreesboro

David Mathis is a Sales Representative in Honest Abe’s Murfreesboro Model Home and Sales Center.

Read more about Inez

David’s 10+ years of experience in the resort and real estate industry helps him lead Honest Abe customers through the process of designing and building their home. Originally from Murfreesboro, David was a member of the Honest Abe construction crew while attending Middle Tennessee State University, which gives him yet another perspective from which he can serve homebuyers.

David Everitt

David Everitt

Dealer Manager

David’s career with Honest Abe started many years go and since, David has worked closely with a network of Independent Dealerships throughout the country.  From his Honest Abe Log Home in Virginia, he offers them direct support and training. David facilitates their businesses so the dealer can serve their local customers.

 

 

Tammy Taylor

Tammy Taylor

Sales Assistant, Mufreesboro

Tammy Taylor has been working with Honest Abe in Murfreesboro since 2014, and she’s observed how important events like Honest Abe-sponsored log raisings, manufacturing tours and home tours are in educating people about log homes. “We work hard to make sure customers have all the information they need to make a decision as big as building a log home,” Taylor said. “I believe the more informed they are, the better the chance they will choose us.”

Melissa Watson

Melissa Watson

Sales Representative, Cookeville

Melissa Watson, who works with her husband, Greg, in the Cookeville Model Home Sales Center to help clients realize their dream. Melissa’s duties include customer contact through appointment scheduling as well as email and social media. She’s been with the company since 2015.

Johnny Watson

Johnny Watson

Sales Representative, Crossville Model Home Center

Manufacturing & Delivery Team – Precision and Quality

Jimmy Scott

Jimmy Scott

A lifelong resident of Moss, Tenn., Jimmy has spent nearly his entire career at HALH. He’s been here since 1987, dedicating his days to manufacturing beautiful homes for Honest Abe customers. Jimmy’s work includes managing all incoming logs from our timber sources, maintaining kiln operations and off-bears milled logs, timbers and siding.

Jeff Gregory

Jeff Gregory

A veteran in the milling industry, Jeff came to Honest Abe in 2004 from one of our sister companies, G.F. Hardwoods a few years ago. Jeff operates and maintains the most expensive piece of equipment own by the company, a Weinig Molder and Planer. Jeff is a highly skilled craftsman and is responsible for maintaining the quality and specifications of our milled logs, timbers and wood siding.

Thomas Dulworth

Thomas Dulworth

As a veteran and craftsman of HALH, there’s not been many of our homes that Thomas has not had a direct hand in manufacturing since he began working at Honest Abe in 1985.  Thomas’s role includes keeping up quality control standards, and leading the actual log cutting and notching process. He’s a certified timber grader and the first of two or three people that will grade the logs using TPI standards.

Chris Cunningham

Chris Cunningham

Since 2000, Chris has had multiple responsibilities at Honest Abe but none more important than running the various notching equipment that mills our log corners with machined precision. Chris is a certified TPI grader and will place the final log wall grade stamp on the logs, then bundle and prep them for shipping.