Team
Hugh J. Lofting
Founder and President | hugh@hltf.net
Hugh founded his namesake company in 1974. After stints as a Montana cowboy and an agricultural student, Hugh returned to his Pennsylvania roots and combined his love of building with his passion for old barns and houses. Hugh’s commitments to sustainability and community run deep. He can talk with personality and expertise about farming (he raises pasture-fed poultry), bee keeping (he holds a patent for a bee feeder), community involvement (he’s a West Marlborough Township Supervisor and Road Master), the Passive House movement (he’s a PHIUS certified builder), and of course, timber framing.
Never one to stop learning, Hugh traveled to Switzerland to learn CAD, to France to understand glue-lam construction, and throughout New England visiting historic and new timber-framed structures. He encourages the Hugh Lofting Timber Framing & High Performance Building team to do their best work every day, with a sense of humor and respect for everyone’s contributions.
Click to read an interview with Hugh about the company’s history.
Favorite project: Baltimore Museum of Industry
Steve Hessler
Designer and Project Manager | steve@hltf.net
Steve is a heavy timber structural designer, project manager, and PHIUS+ certified passive house consultant with over 20 years of experience designing, building, and managing fabrication and construction projects. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Penn State, Steve completed a five-year restoration carpentry apprenticeship where he developed an eye for detail, broad knowledge of material properties and fabrication methods, and a mastery of architectural 3D modeling. Steve continued his career with a timber company, where he oversaw design and fabrication, and became the first operator/programmer of a five-axis timber CNC machine in the U.S. Then, he provided design and production prep services to builders in greater Philadelphia and panelized construction companies on the west coast and ran his own sustainable furniture studio.
Steve joined the design team at Hugh Lofting in 2008 where his emphasis on quality, efficiency, and constructability were a natural fit. Guided by his 3D modeling expertise, attention to building science principles, and formal training in Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) methods, Steve has designed and managed off-the-grid, LEED certified, and passive houses. He combines his design and construction experience with BIM and IPD processes to bridge gaps between owners, design teams, and trade professionals. Steve is adept at marrying superb quality with cost effectiveness and delivering comfort, resilience, and energy conservation to clients.
Favorite project: Gladwyne Pavilion
Dale Kretzing
Designer and Project Manager | dalek@hltf.net
Dale returned to Hugh Lofting in 2003 after working with Hugh in the 1980s. With 30+ years of expertise in timber frame design and project management, Dale brings a balance of creativity and common sense to his role. His agreeable nature and penchant for solving problems means he can make any creative idea possible.
Dale holds degrees in psychology, math, and physics from the University of Delaware. Passionate about framing, he encourages the team to continually hone the craft. Dale spends his free time coaching and playing sports with his five kids.
Favorite project: Lenfest Center at ChesLen Preserve
Christopher Zobel, LEED AP
Project Manager / Field Director | chris@hltf.net
A longtime industry colleague and friend of Hugh Lofting, Chris joined the team in 2018. His 30+ years of construction experience include timber framing, restoration of antique barns and houses, and commercial construction project management. A dedicated craftsman and well-rounded construction leader, Chris manages field operations including manpower, logistics, materials, and subcontractor coordination. He is recognized as a master timber framer and holds Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. (ABC) Project Managers Academy Certification, U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Construction Quality Management Certification, and multiple certificates in Microsoft Project. We hope he never has to use his Infection Control Risk Assessment training and experience on one of our projects.
Chris values building with integrity, attention to detail, and efficiency. He has always been committed to sustainability and has enjoyed getting involved in his first Passive House construction projects with the Hugh Lofting team. When Chris isn’t on a job site, you can find the avid outdoorsman with his wife and two children or spending time mountain biking, skiing, fishing, or just sitting down with his favorite guitar.
Favorite project: Chambers Road Residence
Elsworth Kirk Groff
Shop Foreman | purchasing@hltf.net
Kirk manages the Hugh Lofting Timber Framing shop where he can be found laying out or cutting project components, coordinating job schedules, or encouraging a team approach with his easygoing style. Despite early plans for a career in underwater welding, Kirk has spent nearly 20 years in timber framing, with HLTF since 2009. He likes the challenge of designing joinery and has the keen observation skills to catch even the smallest mistake. Kirk lives in Lancaster County where he enjoys hunting and the occasional round of golf.
Favorite project: West Chester Barn
Christian Nelson
Journeyman / Craftsman | christian@hltf.net
Christian works in both the shop and the field, ensuring our timber framing projects are crafted with precision. In addition to participating in fabrication and raising, he serves as Job Safety Officer and manages inventory and supplies.
Christian’s background includes design, carpentry, and farming. After a brief stint in art school where he studied furniture design, and time in Temple University’s landscape architecture program, Christian shifted gears to farming. He worked in both New England and California, gaining experience in everything from orcharding and vegetable farming to dairying and raising poultry and pigs. He also spent several years performing carpentry and general handyman work. It was all part of a learning experience; as long as there’s something to learn, Christian says he remains engaged and enthusiastic. He joined Hugh Lofting in June 2017 and appreciates the diversity of projects and the wealth of knowledge his coworkers offer. When he isn’t focused on learning all he can about timber framing, Christian enjoys hiking and playing and writing music.
Favorite project: Japanese Pagoda
Jared Reich
Lead Joiner
Jared started with Hugh Lofting Timber Framing in 2008 as a recent design graduate of Thaddeus Stephens College of Technology. He discovered carpentry was a bigger draw than CAD and now works in the shop as the lead joiner. Jared’s quiet consistency and ability to visualize a project from design through construction make him a valuable teammate. He holds an architecture associate degree and is Green Advantage certified. Recently married with a toddler at home, Jared manages to find time to hunt and watch Penn State football.
Favorite project: Boat House
Amanda Thomforde Kent
Project Administrator and Office Manager | amanda@hltf.net
Amanda maintains the budgets, account management, and project administration for Hugh Lofting. She’s the all-purpose business mind on the team, equally adept at reading contracts or handling accounting. A Florida resident, Amanda works remotely but regularly returns to Kennett Square where her family has century-long roots. She holds a B.S. in Business Management from Guilford College and has worked with the company since 2009, shortly after her graduation. Amanda is QuickBooks and Green Advantage certified. She’s also an award-winning home brewer and certified beer judge. When she isn’t handing administration or brewing beer, Amanda has a toddler to keep her busy.
Favorite project: Tree House
Elliott Lofting
Marketing Manager and Bid Coordinator | elliott@hltf.net
Elliott has spent her life around Hugh Lofting, climbing on her father’s timber frames as a kid and watching the business evolve. She brought her marketing and social media savvy to the company full-time in 2006, and maintains responsibility for everything from web maintenance and blogging to FSC® administration. Elliott’s warmth and honesty make her appreciated in the shop and within the industry, where she often helms the company trade show booth. She attended Franklin and Marshall College, is a LEED Green Associate Accredited Professional, and likes sports, cooking, and travel.
Favorite project: Kennett Square LEED House
