Our Team

Alex Matisse, CEO/Co-Founder

Sarah W says, "Truly, he'd rather be fishing."

Connie Matisse, CMO/Co-Founder

John says, “Connie is a role-model everyone should look to: she's brimming with real self-assurance, has the courage of her convictions to speak and do what is right, and is generous in a way that flows naturally from thoughtful compassion.”

John Vigeland, CFO/Co-Founder

Alex says, “Our path winds steeper and deeper into the unknown; John’s our moral compass, always pointing north.”

Cade Hollomon-Cook, Design Studio Manager

Erin says, “I can’t not gush about Cade's personal body of work. I love talking to Cade about their practice and how it is constantly evolving. They approach everything with inquisitiveness and confidence. Each sculptural piece feels like a unique living being you want to get to know better.

Kyle Crowder, Glaze Chemist/Kiln Lead

Thomas says, "Kyle’s skill set and passion for these skills are as well rounded as an East Fork Mug."

Thomas Cook, Lead Managerial Accountant

Cierra says, ”Our dear bookkeeper // He's working on spreadsheets but // Dreams of sourdough."

Erin Hawley, Senior Brand Manager

Mckenzie says, "Erin always has cute clogs on and is an expert color blocker with her outfits. She loves kittens, football, and is actually probably the best cook at East Fork."

Sarah Walters, Lead Sales Associate, Asheville

Mckenzie says, "Aside from being a very talented seamstress, Sarah is beloved among so many of our customers (and staff too) for her helpful and sweet nature."

Jeff Linton, Process Technician

Julia says, "Second only to the Goldblum variety, Jeff could probably win a game of Jeopardy if the categories were improv comedy, Brazilian jiujitsu and parenting."

Dan Segal, Facilities Manager

Matt says, "I'm truly envious of the rack on his truck, his craftsmanship exudes class!"

Cierra Bateman, Production Manager

Max says, "Cierra really loves her pet cat, but she isn't annoying about it or anything. She's great. Cierra, not the cat. probably the cat too though."

Jessie Rienerth, Mold Shop Manager

Corey says, "Queen of the Ram Press // The Master of the plaster // But a better friend."

Jo Kolton, Lead Financial Accountant

Cade says, "Jo comes from Chicago, I wonder if she has seen Monument with Standing Beast?"

Sara Melosh, Glaze and Raw Materials Technician

Jeff L. says, "Now there’s a person who knows a Coleoptera from an Ensifera!"

Zoe Dadian, Director of Operations

Kyle says, "Zoe is like a =iferror formula, she sees a problem and fixes it up nice."

Matt Rudloff, Mold Making Generalist

Jessie says, "Matt is so easy to work with and he picks up new things very quickly. I also think if you asked him nicely, he would be able to give you a run- down of all three Mad Max movies from the 80s."

Nicole Lissenden, Art Director

Connie says, "Nicole can make an arrest warrant look good on paper, and she's got great hair."

Whitney Ott, Photographer & Stylist

Annie says, "Whitney has an incredible talent for making light appear to be a tangible element to work with. And she can make a potato chip look like a gorgeous piece of art!"

Randolph Dexter, Warehouse Operations Supervisor

Kirby says, "I don't think I've met anyone as dedicated and passionate as Randolph, I mean he has seen Phish live 49 times."

Kirby Wolf, Senior Sales Manager

Marissa says, "Kirby is incredibly warm and vivacious, and anyone who is around her feels her kind heart radiating from the inside out. She also has a killer fashion sense and a fabulous eye."

Annie Schambach, In-Store Event Coordinator

Emily says, "Annie has a great last name, a very great sense of style, and a big heart. She's lived all over the country but it seems like she's found her groove here in Asheville. She's already actively involved in the community as a volunteer at the Literary Council! How cool is that?"

Julia True, RAM Press Ops. Lead

Cierra says, "Julia brings so much brightness and color to the RAM team. She is knowledgeable in all things nerdy, and is solidly on Team Face Cat (because can you imagine what kind of mayhem a dog with hands could cause?!)"

Mike Ball, Fulfillment Assistant

Randolph says, "The world would be a better place if we all strived a little bit more to be like Mike. Max, the dog, approves of this message."

Marissa Schneider, Customer Care Manage

Savannah says, "Marissa may be the funniest person I've ever known. And when she tilts her head back for a full blown belly laugh... you just can't help but fall in love with her."

Luc Gay, Glaze Lead

Mike says, "I knew Luc was a glaze wrangler the first time I met them. They keep their head down, the glaze beautiful, and lunch conversation lively."

Erin Silva, Director of Culture & People

Diana says, "Erin is optimism in the face of adversity personified! She makes seemingly mundane meetings feel like arts & crafts at summer camp."

Chelsea MacLean, Glaze Generalist

Daniel Vuono, Director of Production

Erin says, "Daniel has a doppelgänger and it's Tom Cruise."

Shannon Doyne, Writer & Content Coordinator

Erin H. says, "On her job application, Shannon wrote about her love for mall culture and I was instantly enamored. She's whip-smart, hilarious, and thoughtful. Loves Weird Al and a properly made pizza—and she has great hair."

Eva Humphrey, Operations Manager

Zoe says, "There's nothing Eva can't do. She'll run a 50-mile marathon for fun on Sunday and then come in Monday to create a spreadsheet with so much beauty and structure it resembles the Taj Mahal."

JaQuan LaPierre, Roller Tool Ops. Lead

Connie says, "JaQuan's sweet and goofy sense of humor are the perfect counterpart to the intensity and focus he brings to his work making pots. And he just might have the cutest baby of all time."

Talea Gormican, Quality Control Associate

DJ says, "Talea is always kiln it and never looks glazed and confused. She always brings a warm and positive energy."

Calla Coady, Forming Generalist

Zoe says, "Calla is the type of person that would spend two days baking you a birthday cake. It would be a masterpiece."

Tony Pearson, Forming Generalist

Talea says, "Tony is smooth and cool. He will talk you off a ledge and offer you a refreshing cool smoothie. Great uplifter to our glazing team. Keeping it real everyday by giving his best personally and professionally."

Emilja Tokarski, Mug Ops. Lead

Dan S. says, "The only thing that could compare to Emilja's love for her pooch, Hazel, is her love for hoggin' it down a country road on her Harley. She is true badass with a real big heart."

Donna Casellas-Banks, Sales Associate, ATL

Jasmin says, "Donna is friendly and welcoming to everyone that comes in!"

Molly Webb, Showroom Manager, ATL

Sarah K. says, "Molly is kind, fun, and unafraid to ask for help...the best kind of leader! (& oh boy is her red hair iconic.)"

Jeff Swartout Forming Generalist

Jeffery R. says, "Jeff's expertise goes far beyond pottery. An extremely creative person with the means, and know-how, to make their designs a reality. With a great amount of kindness to match!"

Liza Pierce, Forming Generalist

Jeff S. says, "Her hair grabs your attention, then you're held by a laugh who's warmth is matched only by that of her personality. A nurturing gift to humanity!"

Britta Baker, Fulfillment Assistant

Lisa says, "Pack it up, pack it in, let me begin... When Britta's not busy building her own tiny house, she LOVES packing up beautiful EF pots to ship out to their new homes in the world. I'm pretty sure she gives each piece a little hug before she wraps it up, just to spread the love."

Lisa Flamion, Quality Control Lead

Britta says, "Lisa is a gem. She shows the same care and attentiveness in conversation as she does to the pottery she lovingly QCs."

Lykin Detritus, Production Support

Luc says, "Lykin seems human. Wise as a mystical lark. Crazy as a loon."

Scott Haight, People Operations Manager

Alex says, "Scott wishes he could bring in his beloved dog Beecher, but he knows it would affect his work ethic (and everyone else's too)."

Alex Minkin, Multimedia Designer

Scott says, "As a member of our Creative Team, Alex uses his design and videography expertise to showcase the products, culture and community of East Fork Pottery."

Virginia Knight, Customer Care Associate

Kirby says, "You can feel Virginia’s warmth and energy the minute you walk in the door! Come say hi at the shop, I promise, her radiant smile is contagious!"

Marcus England, Pug Mill Operator

Brandi says, "Marcus has been my Bestie since day 1!!! He always shows up to make me laugh and smile at just the right moment!"

Andrew Wolf, Jigger Ops. Lead

Kirby says, "Andrew has this natural way of putting a positive spin on everything, if you need a pick-me-up he's your guy. You can usually find him dancing around by the Jigger - that being said, also great for music recs!"

Lindsey Zinno, Digital Manager

Jeffery says, "The treasure trove of knowledge within Lindsey makes her truly a force to be reckoned with!"

Jeffery Ray, Customer Care Associate

Jeff says, "Jeffery is the epitome of style; stylish of sweaters, stylish of attitude, stylish of heart!"

Emily Bukoski, Executive Assistant to CMO

Connie says, "Emily told me that she doesn't have a single junk drawer in her house, and if she weren't so dang kind and funny, I might resent her for it."

Marcyanne Hannemann, Glaze Generalist

Cherry says, "Marcyanne has to be one of the best people at the factory to play a game with. They always take extra time in the day to laugh and giggle, and their laugh is absolutely contagious. Marcy gets to know people by being genuine, kind and inquisitive, and getting to know Marcy is like reading a great fantasy novel."

Amanda Huskin, Operations Coordinator

Eva says, "Amanda is an organizational force to be reckoned with and exudes a calm focused energy - which must be how she can parent four herding dogs without going insane!"

Hank Gilliam, Facilities Assistant

Daryl says, "Hank has three speeds that all equate to getting the job done....Relaxed, chill and yep"  

Edward Peak, Shift Supervisor

Adrian "A" Miller, Quality Control Associate

Maria says, "A is a very charismatic person, very beautiful personality and they are always happy and it shows that they are a sincere person."

Cherry Iocovozzi, Food Systems Manager

Amanda says, "Cherry is the embodiment of hospitality. He cooks delicious staff lunches that meet all of our dietary needs (no small feat), but he also finds ways to make East Fork HQ an ever more lovely place to work. What a generous spirit."

Nick Falduto, Forming Generalist

Daryl Nathanson, Fulfillment Manager

Britta says, "Cold IPA from the kegerator // Talking Heads playing on the stereo // Daryl is a happy man."

Olivia Markowitz, Forming Generalist

Emily says, “Olivia is a true Taurus with a great voice!”

Devin McMillen, Ceramic Engineer

Matt says, "Someone who brings excitement for clay-body in a way I've never known, Devin's addition to East Fork has been a pleasure as his passion for process and dedication to the team is obvious and inspiring."

Matt Gordan, Quality Control Associate

Devin says, "Matthew always has this calm, nearly mischievous look on at work. It's his keen eye though that makes sure we sell a quality product."

Brock Flamion, Production Support

Emily Rangel-Cascio, Forming Generalist

Olivia says, "She’s always happy to be at work and loves clay!"

Sarah Bernstein, Forming Generalist

Eli Nelms, Forming Generalist

Emilja says, "Eli, who is secretly a hissing possum in human form, has taken to the RAM press like a dad to a fancy new propane grill. Ask them about their giant cat!"

Maria del Rosario Segovia Salas, Forming Generalist

A says, "Maria is an absolute delight to work with. Every shift I've ever shared with her has been full of laughter and shared snacks."

Avery Tarpley, Glaze Generalist

Desiree Gamble, Forming Generalist

Sarah B. says, "Des is super smiley and funny. We help each other out and both have twin sisters! "

Hakeem LaPierre, Production Support

James Snyder, Mechanical Engineer

Eva says, "Whether he's designing a new tool for the production team, planning an adventure or building a Magic deck, James takes every job seriously, but never himself."

Heather Clark, Glaze Generalist

Anna Harcharik, Glaze Generalist

Donnie Bishop, Glaze Generalist

Eian Lung, Glaze Generalist

Clarissa Harris, Values Manager

Manny Ayala, Values Manager

Clarissa says, "Manny is the most transparent human I know. If in doubt about how he feels about something take note: does he have stress cheetos with him?"

Manny says, "Clarissa sets a high bar for radical compassion. Her ability to empathize, her grit, and love guide her process of building relationships with everyone."

Advisors & Consultants

Philip Cooper, Certified Peer Support Counselor

Philip runs a staffing agency here in Asheville that focuses on supportive employment for justice-involved citizens. Philip is a real force of nature. We have worked with him for several years and he has brought us a lot of amazing people.

Brad Wilson, Advisor

Brad is a former founder of a food and beverage company from Australia and now based in Canada. Brad's experience in running a high growth business to over 100 employees and adding in-house manufacturing and distribution capabilities provides a useful perspective for the daily challenges faced by East Fork.

Amy Chender, Advisor

Amy Chender was the Chief Operating Officer and the Director of Social Responsibility Amy was an early investor and she now sits on our advisory board - we come to her for any all questions everything from brand and resale strategy.

Desiree Adaway, Consultant in Diversity and Inclusion

The Executive Team works with Desiree at the Adaway Group for 1:1 business coaching through a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion lens.