My Story
I’ve always worked with my family. My earliest summers were spent in my grandfather’s used office furniture business, where I learned how to clean, repair, and prepare furniture for resale. That’s where I discovered the difference between cheaply built products and iconic brands like Steelcase and Herman Miller that were built to last. (If only I had known those $5 vintage Herman Miller chairs would one day sell for over $1,000!)

As soon as I was old enough to be on job sites, I joined my father in his custom home building company, Rochat Builders. The company built high-end custom homes across Knoxville, and I had a hand in nearly every aspect of construction. From those years I took away lessons that continue to shape me today: a foundation must be perfectly square, accurate, and level; trim carpentry is an art that requires the skill of a surgeon; and tools deserve the utmost care. One memory that stands out is cutting and fitting all of the stair treads for a winding staircase at age 14.

By high school, I returned to the office furniture business, this time old enough to take on deliveries. I gained a very practical understanding of physics while wrestling 400-pound fireproof filing cabinets and giant executive desks — often by my rail-thin, scrawny self. Around this time, our family business transitioned into retail store interior fit-outs. When the economy faltered in 1990–91, I learned my first major lessons in resilience and adaptability. That downturn drove us to pivot into custom commercial cabinet manufacturing for schools, hospitals, and other institutions. Over time, that small shop grew into one of the largest casework manufacturers in Tennessee.

In 2009, during another economic downturn, my wife Robin and I acquired CaféCountertops. Since CaféCountertops has always been a brand rather than a legal entity (much like Chevrolet is to General Motors), we formed Andover Products LLC as the official company. We continue operations to this day, providing Americans with the finest custom-built solid wood countertops and floating shelves through our nationwide network of Kitchen & Bath Design Studios. Following the roots of our Swiss ancestors, we specialize in both European and American products, and we’ve even made numerous “research trips” to EuroCucina and throughout Europe.

Family remains at the center of my story — my wife Robin, our two daughters, our son-in-law, and hopefully grandchildren in the near future. Outside of work, I enjoy travel, architecture, good food, my BBQ pit smoker, and all things European. I have a general curiosity and love of learning — including my slow but steady attempt to learn the German language. We’ve visited 49 of the 50 U.S. states, most of Western and Eastern Europe, several Caribbean islands, Australia, and New Zealand. (I even once arranged a layover in Moscow — though I never left the airport!) One day, we’ll have plenty of stories to share with our grandchildren.

You might say, the only thing I haven't done much is to sit still. Onward and upward!

My Values
My family and I are Christians, and our faith is important to us on a personal front - but we're not into discussing religion with others and we're happy for you in whatever you believe. All you need to know is that we strive to live a life marked by virtue, honesty, transparency, fairness and love. I do have a strong internal code of conduct, and operate my business in a manner to build it for the next 50-100 years. My customers are my friends, and I have no intention of letting them down. I'd rather take a loss on a business deal than do anything I might regret in the future. I don't play fast and loose with the facts - especially in CafeCountertops' literature and my LinkedIn posts, I don't care for braggarts or subscribe to any political party. I try to give the benefit of the doubt. 

In short, I care about people and friendships, and I'm definitely an "eternal optimist". I look forward to meeting you!