Doers and Dreamers – Ron Sauer
Wow! Talk about the right business at the right time. Reclaiming wood(like from the Coney Island Boardwalk) and utilizing it with respect for the precious commodity that it has become, will certainly be a concept that gains even more traction as many varieties of wood becomes even more scarce than they already are. This week’s Doer and Dreamer is a homegrown entrepreneur that has a sprawling facility and state of the art equipment to fabricate unique building materials and consumer products that can become treasures for generations.
Your name: Ron Sauer
Business or organization: Excelsior Wood Products
Occupation: Owner
What is your approach to your business or occupation that makes you unique?
What makes Excelsior’s approach to the lumber industry unique is our respect and management of natural resources. We try to utilize every piece of wood to its fullest. We don’t discard wood for looking unique or odd, as we see true beauty in the flaws. The scrap wood we simply cannot use for projects, we also put to good use. We recycle excess wood fibers into compressed bricks as an alternative method to heating homes and fueling camp fires; waste not, want not.
Where are you from originally?
Originally local! Born and bred in Lake Katrine on the Thruview Farm.
What brought you to the Kingston area and keeps you in this area?
I stay because I love the area. My heritage and roots run deep here. It is beautiful and, aside from the taxes, what’s not to like?! Between the scenery and the abundance of local businesses that support our community, I wouldn’t want to raise my family any where else.
What is your favorite hangout in this area and why?
My favorite hangout is Highwoods Sportsman club where I practice archery with my family and friends. The club is full of down to earth and loving members. It’s a wonderful place to bring my family to practice a sport we all enjoy.
When you’re not in Kingston, what’s your idea of a wonderful city to visit, and why?
I am a small town country guy and I cannot say I am overly interested in cities. However, I have enjoyed a few days in NY and Chicago. When you are in the right areas (the ones where you feel you can actually walk!) the people watching and broad array of different cultures is fascinating. The busy city life always makes me appreciate coming home, which is never a bad thing.
Tell us something that we never would have guessed about you.
I think people would be surprised to know that I am not the archery star in my family. I have three daughters (Hannah 13, Rachel 11, and Leah 4) who all enjoy the sport. Both my older girls have excelled in the sport, the oldest earning a sponsorship from Bowtech. Overall, they have won and placed in high rankings in local, national and world competitions; makes me very proud. The youngest daughter got her first bow this year and I’m betting she will be just as competitive as the other two…I better watch out.
