Ed Siegel

I bought my first lathe shortly after graduating from college with a degree in theatre design and semi-successfully attempted to teach myself to turn by trial and error and from books (no YouTube back then). When my parents asked me what I wanted for my thirtieth birthday, I said I’d like to go to Vermont for a weekend to take a woodturning class. They insisted that they wanted to give me something I would have forever "like a nice watch", but I told them I would rather have "lifelong skill" like woodturning. After getting my MBA and starting a more "traditional" career, that skill became my creative outlet.

Over the years I have been a member of three AAW local chapters where I have learned, and continue to learn, new turning skills. I now demonstrate regularly, both in person and remotely, and mentor new turners of all ages. For four years I served as the chair of the turners’ special interest group of the Woodworkers of Central New York where I introduced woodturning and the club to the community by appearing on local TV news programs.

My wife and I recently retired and relocated to Greensboro, NC where I have found a great turning community with the Piedmont Triad Woodturners Association where I have already had the opportunity to demonstrate (I got to tell my old jokes to a new audience), mentor new turners, share new techniques with seasoned turners, and, best off all, learn some new skills.

As a member of the AAW board, I would like to help the organization, and the local clubs, find new ways to expand interest in woodturning to their communities, attract new members, and ensure that all turners can learn and develop new skills so that they can enjoy this craft in a safe and creative way.