Meet The Team
Russ Gartner
Spend a few minutes speaking with Russ Gartner and you will understand immediately that he has a passion for our local forest and trees. Armed with a forestry degree and 20 years of lumber sales experience he opened Studs Lumber Company in 2014 and was excited to find our community was so receptive to supporting local business, regional products, and renewable resources. Studs Lumber Company quickly grew to a multi-million dollar regional spender that provides a consistent connection with customers money and our economy.
Russ found that area builders quickly learned that by purchasing material from Studs Lumber it directly impacts our economy. The mission of Studs Lumber Company is to connect the community with our local economy and this has proven successful through a knowledgeable professional team that has helped hundreds of builders complete their projects with local products delivered at competitive prices. Purchase material from Studs and you are effectively employing an army of local tradesman including the forester, logger, skidder, log truck driver, lumber mill personnel, material drivers, and the employees at Studs.
While Russ endured many challenges the first three years, he feels that working hard and being honest and up front with his customers has gained Studs Lumber Company respect in the community and industry. Russ promoted Adam Hirshberg, who has been with Studs since the beginning, to General Manager of Studs in January of 2018.
Studs Lumber Company enjoys working with the professional builders in our area and loves to show them how their framing package impacts the Southwest Colorado economy. Studs continues it’s innovative investments in our community daily. Our team of full-time, long term professionals are available to help with your project. They not only supply roof-top delivery of shingles, but rebar, fasteners, hardware, siding, doors, and of course, lumber.
If you haven’t visited with Russ and his team yet, give them a call at 970-764-7777. They aim to please!
Adam Hirshberg
Adam Hirshberg is from Sunapee, NH but found Colorado to be his home in 2003. He joined forces with Russ Gartner in 2014 at Studs Lumber Company. Adam started as a delivery driver and has worked his way up, along side Russ they started in a hayfield in Hesperus with a big dream as their motivation. Now Adam is the General Manager at Studs Lumber, a credible and well-known business in the Four Corners Region. He has also helped developed a successful shipping container business, Mobile Storage Solutions, and a self-storage facility, Storage Units of Durango. He takes great pride in the role he plays in these businesses and thrives on making all of them as efficient and productive as they can be.
Adam is married to his wife, Stephanie, they have two beautiful daughters, Josie and Wren. He is a very devoted family-man and enjoys raising his family in Southwest Colorado. Honesty, respect, accountability and communication are values that Adam holds at high standard within himself as well as instilling in his children.
When Adam is not working at the lumber yard, selling shipping containers, or being covered in more glitter than he would like to admit by his daughters, he spends much of his time on skis or a snowmobile in the winter and enjoys clocking miles on his motorcycle during the summer months. Adam also enjoys being an involved member of the community, he currently sits on the board of directors and is an active member of the Home Builder’s Association of Southwest Colorado, as well as Build Pagosa a non-profit focused on expanding the vocational and post secondary education offerings in Archuleta County. Being involved in his community is a priority and he enjoys meeting other like-minded individuals.
Garan Bojeski
Hi my name is Garan Bojeski, I grew up in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and have been living in Durango, CO since 2005. I graduated from Fort Lewis College in 2009 with a BA in Business Management and had a great 4 years there!
I love playing hockey (it’s my passion in life) and enjoy all the outdoor activities Durango has to offer (camping, snowboarding, rafting, biking, fishing) you name it I’m there!
I have been working here at Studs Lumber as an Outside Sales rep since March of 2017 and couldn’t be happier with my success so far. What I love about working at Studs is helping out the community with their projects all while supporting the local forestry industry by bringing in material from regional suppliers and local mills, and of course getting to work with our amazing team! We have great customers here at Studs who without your support I wouldn’t be where I’m at today, and I’m happy to be a part of this growing local business and industry. Whether you’re new to construction or have been doing it for years I would love to help you with your next project anyway I can. So, come on down to Studs and ask for the Canadian and let me put together a bid for your next project! I look forward to meeting each and every one of you!
Robin Barnes
Hi, my name is Robin Barnes and I have lived in Bayfield for 30+ years. My husband and I have 3 daughters that have gotten the pleasure in being raised in this beautiful area with all of its wonderful benefits of country life.
I love being able to teach my kids to work hard for what they want in life. They have been able to learn how to raise all sorts of animals, along with knowing how to use a shovel and swing a hammer.
I have been part of the retail side of the building industry for over 18 years and have enjoyed every part of it. I enjoy helping contractors get what they need to help their customer and in turn their families if I can save them time and money. I am excited to be working for Studs Lumber and look forward to meeting new contractors and seeing those I already know.
Ryan Dittmar
My name's Ryan and I'm a 4th generation Durango local. My great-grandparents homesteaded on 620 acres of what is now the La Plata county airport. My grandparents, parents, and myself have been lucky enough to call Durango our home for over 100 years. I attended Fort Lewis College where I studied Engineering, Biology and college hockey before starting my career at Studs Lumber as a CDL driver in 2021. In January of 2023 I transitioned into sales within Studs and couldn’t be happier to serve the Durango and surrounding area’s builders.
Outside of work you can be sure to catch me playing hockey, hunting (my true passion), fly fishing, skiing, or on the trails with my bike and dogs.
In addition to working with our great team here at Studs, I am fortunate to be able to service the local building industry in my home town that I care so much for, whether you are a first time builder or a seasoned contractor. Give me a call or come on by, I look forward to helping you in your next build!
Jeff Meyer
Hi my name is Jeff Meyer, a member of the Studs Lumber Team working in sales and estimating. I grew up in St. Louis Missouri and attended college at the University of Southern Indiana. I bounced around the Midwest before finding my way out to Colorado, and eventually beautiful Durango!
My hobbies include all things outdoors ( backpacking, snowboarding, biking, Etc.) and all things sports ( football, baseball, basketball, Etc.). I am currently married to my Beautiful wife Brooke, who is my partner in crime when it comes to the outdoor adventures I love so much. If there is an opportunity to get out in the mountains, count us in!
The reasons I love Studs Lumber comes down to being the local supplier and the loyal relationships that come along with it. Come on over to Studs Lumber and see what we are all about!
Dave Nielson
Howdy! My name is Dave Nielson. I grew up in Utah. My early years were spent fishing, hunting and spending time at the family cabin.
I moved to Durango over 25 years ago working in the landscaping, excavation and lumber industries. I came to Studs Lumber Company with my black lab “Duke”. He found me 7 years ago and we have been together since. He likes riding in the lumber truck, playing ball & swimming in the river. We now spend our time prospecting, hunting & camping as much as possible.
You can find us in the yard. Come say “Hi” and you will be greeted by Duke.
Duke
The best dog!
Ben Locker
I was born and raised in the Denver metro area and after college moved to the Western Slope. I have always been extremely active and passionate in the outdoors and spent a decade working in outdoor recreation, guiding and management before moving into Outside Sales in 2018.
With joining Studs Lumber in 2022, I am excited to help homeowners in our community of the Four Corners realize their dreams, in providing local and regional products for their builds. I am excited to work for a company that shares my values of sustainability, craftsmanship, and service.
I love to cook, share food and laughter with family and friends, travel, and learn new languages.
Family is the cornerstone of all that I do and when not at work I am obsessed with spending time (especially in the outdoors) with my amazing wife, sweet daughter, and best pal Opie (the black lab).
Tyler Till
Hello, my name is Tyler Till. I was born and raised in Dubuque, IA and migrated west to Colorado 9 years ago in search of opportunity and the outdoors.
I have spent the past few years selling materials in the construction industry and enjoy the building process from concept to completion.
I started working for Studs in 2022 and am very excited to be a part of the team.
I love spending time outdoors in the San Juan mountains with my family and pets. We try to get out and camp, snowboard, and climb whenever we get the chance.
Fun fact: The first time I flew in an airplane, I jumped out.