Our Crew

Zack

As General Manager of Giffin Tec, Zack Giffin stays involved with every aspect of the business – from Shipping and Accounting to R&D, Marketing, and Customer Service.  His instinctive vision and uncompromising commitment to quality and integrity can be contagious to anyone who has the pleasure to work along side him.  You can generally find him at NCECA sharing a wealth of knowledge on the Giffin Grip®.

Zack likes: Building creative contraptions for Tiny Homes, mountain hikes with his wife and son, and Swing Bikes (see video and you won't be dissapointed).  In wintertime, he can be found jumping off large cliffs on skis.

Zack dislikes:  Missing powder days at the ski hill.

 

 

Sam

If there's a camera in the room, Sam's probably holding it!  From Web & Marketing to Customer Service and Shipping, Sam's always striving to upgrade our systems to the modern age (even if it makes Tierra a little nervous).  He's the youngest of the three Giffin Brothers, and you can also find him at NCECA and see what he's been up to in clay.

Sam likes: Filmmaking, Soccer, Snowboarding – and getting clay all over his nice clean shirt!  Cmon' Sam, where's your apron?

Sam dislikes: Upsetting the Feng-Shui Dragons.  He insists on keeping spaces clear so the dragons can flow through with ease.

 

 

Tierra

If you write to our office email or call on the phone you may be lucky enough to talk to Tierra, our irreplaceable Office Manager for the last 15 years.  She handles all our supplier orders with kindness and grace, keeps the books balanced, and ensures we have written procedures of every crucial task in the business.  Don’t know what we would do with out her!

Tierra likes: Time with her husband and two children, living in a small Island Community, and how her job at Giffin Tec allows her to stay on Island.

Tierra dislikes: Changes to systems and procedures that work just fine, Sam!

 

 

Solomon

Also one of our longest standing employees, Solomon glides through this world with an unparalleled level of patience and willingness to accommodate other people's needs.  Especially when there's a good conversations to be had.  From the computers to the pallet wrap and forklift, he is a cornerstone of our operations at Giffin Tec.  Plus, check out that beard!

Solomon likes: Supernatural phenomena, sweet sweet Reggae Music, and cruising his One-Wheel all over town when the sun shines.

Solomon dislikes: Nothing we know of…  Nope!  Never heard him complain about nothin’.

 

 

Woods

If you bought a Giffin Grip® in the past decade, there’s a good chance Wood’s had his hands on it.  He’s our master of Assembly and Quality Control ensuring each Giffin Grip® goes out singing (for real, we check the slide between plates and listen for that nice sound).  His work ethic from climbing mountains translates into his stubbornly positive attitude and level of care at the Giffin Tec Warehouse.  He also happens to be an amazing woodcarver (go figure)!

Wood’s likes: Snowboarding in untouched terrain, hiking uphill all day only to ride back down on his snowboard in minutes, and having a job that allows him to go snowboarding whenever conditions are good.

Wood's dislikes: Fist bumps.

 

 

Joe

Despite our best efforts to throw him off, Joe manages our Inventory like a champion on top of Shipping, Assembly, and anything that comes up on a given day.  All the while he keeps us stocked with parts well in advance so we can fill orders on time.  On special occasions, he's kind enough to lend his graphic art skills to Giffin Grip® projects (check out his masterful work here).

Joe likes: Being insanely productive, integrity in people, and creating high-art graphics and illustrations for major magazines and brands.  He also enjoys the stability of part-time work with a family run business as he continues pursuing artistic endeavors.

Joe dislikes: Inconsistencies with FONTS and formatting.  Sorry Joe!

 

 

Sonja

On top of holdin' down the booth with us each year at NCECA, Sonja manages all of our Social Media and much of our Digital Marketing.  She keeps us relevant with awe-inspiring content from real potters and fun collaborations that promote both the artists and our tools.  She just happens to be an incredible potter herself!  Check out some or her work at Sonjagloriapottery.com

Sonja likes: All things handmade, cutting her mugs with scissors only to fold them like a coat and add a cute button, and how her job with Giffin Tec keeps her immersed in the pottery industry.

Sonja dislikes: A cold studio in South Dakota winters (last we heard it was 48 degrees)!

 

 

Holly

By all means, the Giffin Tec company would have seized to exist without Holly Giffin holding down the fort.  Over the past 40 years she’s handled our Quickbooks, paying the bills, helping customers and suppliers, and keeping us all working together with her PhD in Conflict Resolution.  She’s an honest believer that a family business should support its people to pursue their passions and dreams!

Holly likes: Wine and cheese on the French Rivera, looking deep into the eyes of her children, and seeing people work together as a team!

Holly dislikes: Put downs.

 

 

Brian

Inventor, visionary, and rebel at heart, Brian Giffin brought the Giffin Grip® to the world in 1978 despite skepticism from experienced potters.  He’s continued to innovate and improve upon the design for nearly 50 years since!  While the Giffin Grip® is only one of his wild inventions, he feels most at home with the Ceramics Community.

Brian likes: Rapid prototypes, hammock time in Mexico, and when his sons come to visit for more than just a few hours.

Brian dislikes:  Poorly designed tools, ice cream without chocolate sauce.