The History of Alexander’s
As part of a rebranding effort, the name has been changed. But the journey of 35 years of striving for excellence in execution and design is not. Excellence is not achieved in my mind, but rather in others’ views. Trusting in the views of clients, clients’ interior designers, and architects. We then apply our ever-increasing efficiencies in the field achieving excellence through mastery. Well above usual quality standards for varied projects.
Early Years
At least 5-6 generations of carpenters and cabinet makers were in the family. Their origins are mostly in Ireland. Coming to America almost a century and 1000 miles apart as carpenters or cabinet makers. From a young age, William worked hard to uphold that family heritage. Consisting of the quality finished product, process, and the satisfaction of the client. Would be of a standard, his father, grandfathers, and their fathers would approve.
The process and satisfaction of a patron started with using basic hand tools. Learning in his grandfather’s and father’s shops. Echoes of his grandfather kindly telling him, “No, No, No, Palsy you need to do it this way!” with every swing of a hammer, a twist of a screwdriver, and a stroke of a handsaw. William’s father always quizzing young William, under his father’s watchful eye. Cemented, reinforced, and expanded his foundation of craftsmanship.
Trips to the lumber yard and hardware store were often filled with “What is this?” or “What does this do?” William was also fascinated with his father’s drafting table. The one he used to draw up the plans, for the family house. His father and grandfather built themselves. Always interesting for William were the ones for the family. One example was a pool deck. Project involving complex carpentry for a 28-foot round pool. Wm participated in the construction of a model and hands-on carpentry.
William’s first job was cutting the grass at their church during the summer, all twelve acres. A tall order for a young teenager. Often William was tasked with landscaping duties, painting in the school, and helping the janitor during the winter season.
William was drawn to the industrial arts in high school first choosing metal fabrication. He excelled in manual mechanical drafting, to the point where he had to stop turning in assignments so as not to destroy the grading curve. He also excelled in welding and metal fabrication where he turned in an outstanding 5.0 welding by the teacher’s assessment, which was very rare. His Grandpa, son of a Railroad Car Carpenter had become a welder and fabricator in that “Car Shop”. He was pleased with the welding. It is one of the more difficult welds, backhand oxyacetylene, that every torch movement shows. His grandpa had a high level of mastery of railroad car fabrication and maintenance work and understood it was an excellent potential start. Through these experiences and countless others, he began setting higher standards and recognizing his abilities.
William attended college for Architecture to expand his design knowledge. There he gained greater technical skills in sketching, drafting, and forms of creativity. Menards Cashway Lumber Store hired William to set up, stock, and work in the new, soon-to-be #1 store in Waukesha WI. The millwork department was the logical fit. Creating a deep knowledge of the ins and outs of cabinetry and window & door manufacturers. Exposure to the intricacy of related hardware and applications of moldings. William transferred to the flooring department to devote more time to his studies. He gained positive people-centric sales skills. Along with product knowledge of many types of flooring and proper estimating & installation.
During his college career, William also took Fine Art. Excelling in that environment came quite natural to him. Taking classes that involved making objects and things was where it was at. William is not in the conventional sense of what an artist is. Metalsmithing and furniture design for the chair was an excellent fit for William. Even if they did need instructors’ permission to take the classes. These were very hands-on classes, with students doing the manual fabrication. Achieving high grades requires high-quality design along with a high level of craftsmanship. He still jokes they were like basket weaving classes raising his GPA in a significant manner. They were not easy classes as basket weaving infer. They were high-level fine art classes that carried very realistic critiques and grades.
Despite leaving Menards, Wm remained allies and friends with many, he had worked with. Who referred him for projects without reservation. Leading to a regular flow of siding work. A general contractor performing major renovations at the store hired William. That was a milestone. Following that, William often worked for the general contractor. Doing form carpentry and wide variety of other carpentry tasks.
William was then referred to a home builder who needed a framing crew and he jumped at that opportunity.
Over the next few years, William and his crew worked for several builders. Developing a deep knowledge of how processes and practices affect quality & efficiencies. Moving into often doing the Finish carpentry in those homes. Ask William about his dad retiring and then coming to work for him.
Challenging economic conditions William moved on to work for a Design-Build Remodeling Company. High-End remodeling is quite different from new construction. Adjusting to these conditions and requirements was a key milestone for Williams’s future. After he transitioned to taking on varied projects. Including interesting Architectural Woodwork and Cabinetry projects. He also experienced the evolving digital world at the turn of the century. Moving from manual drafting of his projects to the use of CAD (Computer Aided Design). Early CAD applications followed manual drafting conventions, making it an easy transition. Allowing him to expand into other 3D applications.
Adding another quality communication layer to being able to create the finished product. William is also capable of designing as well, such as this rendering of a Gothic library.
William then moved to Texas, long before it was popular. Ask him about how it came about.
Achieving rapid success as a cabinet installer and finish carpenter. A joint venture he started did not work out. He Acquiring new shop space. He gathered the needed equipment and started building the business. Building up a reputation by adding clients, and expanding the service offerings. Always willing to solve challenging problems with creative solutions. Provide solid design services, and high-quality Custom Cabinetry and Architectural Woodwork.
Get In Touch
Call or Text
469 442-5611
Email Us
wm@alexanderstx.com
Contact Hrs
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Weekdays