THE SMOKY STONE
Meet the Team Behind Smoky Stone
At Smoky Stone, our talented team of outdoor kitchen designers are passionate about transforming everyday backyards into exceptional outdoor living spaces. As innovators in the world of custom outdoor kitchens, we blend creativity, craftsmanship, and cutting-edge design to deliver one-of-a-kind solutions tailored to your lifestyle. From durable materials to smart layouts, every project we take on reflects our dedication to quality and function. Meet the team that’s redefining outdoor kitchens in Southwest Florida—where style meets performance, and every detail is built to last.
THE SMOKY STONE WAY
One Team. One Experience. Your Custom Outdoor Kitchen.
At Smoky Stone, our expert team of outdoor kitchen designers is the driving force behind our reputation for excellence in Naples, FL. We specialize in creating personalized outdoor kitchens that bring your outdoor living dreams to life. Each team member contributes distinct talents and a shared passion for high-quality design, craftsmanship, and customer satisfaction.
What sets us apart is our hands-on approach. We manufacture most of our products in-house right here in Naples, which gives us complete control over quality, timelines, and customization. We also carry all essential materials in stock—including our own slab yard—bringing unmatched convenience to our customers and added reliability to every project.
In our collaborative studio environment, creativity flourishes and every challenge is met with custom solutions that blend style and function. Whether it’s a sleek grilling station or a full-scale outdoor entertaining space, our team works together to ensure every detail reflects the Smoky Stone standard of quality.
We invite you to meet the team that makes it all happen—your trusted partners in building exceptional outdoor kitchens that transform the way you live outside.
IT ALL STARTS WITH
our humble beginning
On March 1st, 2020, as the world braced for the onset of a global pandemic, Smoky Stone was born, inspired by an ancient idea rooted in natural resilience. Natural stones, throughout history, have served humanity as sources of warmth and tools for cooking and survival. With this timeless concept in mind, the vision was to create a modern twist – a line of outdoor kitchens crafted entirely from slabs of natural stone. There was a strong belief in the material’s durability and natural aesthetic appeal, blending perfectly with nature and suitable for enduring outdoor conditions. The name Smoky Stone was inspired by the founder’s family vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains, one of the most beautiful wonders synonymous with outdoor activities, camping, and BBQ cookouts.
Amidst the chaos of the uncertainty, a surprising trend emerged – people stuck at home sought solace in their outdoor spaces, igniting a newfound demand for outdoor living solutions. The pandemic, initially seen as an obstacle, unexpectedly became a catalyst for Smoky Stone’s success. It accelerated the adoption of outdoor living trends and validated the belief in natural stone as the ideal material for modern outdoor kitchens. Buoyed by this early success, Smoky Stone expanded its team, attracting incredible people and passionate collaborators who shared a commitment to excellence, craftsmanship and customer satisfaction.
Today, Smoky Stone continues to grow and expand its product line, guided by core values of hard work, innovation, quality, and resilience. From its humble beginnings to a thriving business, the journey of Smoky Stone exemplifies the transformative power of seizing opportunities, even amidst adversity.
WHO WE ARE
A team of architects, designers, engineers, and planners redefining outdoor kitchens through innovation and collaboration.
ARE YOU READY TO
Meet The Team
At Smoky Stone, our work is only as strong as the team behind it—and we’re proud to say that strength runs deep. Every member of our team brings distinct expertise and a shared dedication to craftsmanship, creativity, and client satisfaction. It’s this collaborative spirit that fuels our success and drives us to bring each project to life with purpose and precision.
Driven by shared values of quality, integrity, and customer focus, our team is the force that brings outdoor living spaces to life. We’re excited to introduce you to the individuals who shape each project with care and expertise—because behind every beautiful outdoor kitchen is a team that truly loves what they do.
Eric has accumulated over 20 years of experience in the solid surface industry, spanning both commercial and residential projects. Beginning his career as a mechanical engineer, he later pursued and completed master’s and doctoral degrees in Petroleum Engineering, deepening his understanding of rocks and geology. Raised in the city known for processing the majority of natural stone slabs used in the US market, Eric has been captivated by the myriad colors of his native state in Brazil since childhood. Married to a native of Naples, he is a father of two sons. During his leisure time, Eric treasures moments spent with his family and friends.
“Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”
Proverbs 16:3
Peter hails from Newtown, Connecticut, where his grandfather Hans was Chief Modelmaker for Ethan Allen. The same design spirit still drives Peter today with our innovative outdoor kitchen concepts. After graduating from Southeastern University in Lakeland with a BA in Communications, he worked in project management in the agriculture and solid surface industries. Peter is married and has three kids. He loves fishing in the keys, sous vide cooking, Columbia shirts, inside jokes, and Oktoberfest ( who doesn’t).
Jon, a Florida native, has dedicated most of his career to agriculture. With over fifteen years of experience in the industry, he has developed skills in system implementation, project management, training, and sales. Jon’s entrepreneurial drive has led him to join the dynamic team at Smoky Stone. He is married and a proud father of five boys, finding joy in outdoor activities and quality time with his family.
Chris, a seasoned Mechanical Engineer and University of Florida graduate, brings over 20 years of expertise in material manufacturing, specializing in polymers and advanced materials designed for outdoor applications. Raised in Naples, Chris combines technical knowledge with a practical approach to innovation and problem-solving. A proud father of five boys and a devoted husband, he finds his greatest joy outside of work in spending quality time with his children, wife, and extended family. Whether coaching, building, or exploring outdoors, Chris values hands-on learning and meaningful connections. His strong work ethic, grounded in family values and community roots, defines both his professional and personal life.
Sarah, a Naples native, has been dedicated to the service industry since she was 15, bringing warmth, professionalism, and an exceptional personality to every role. Known for her outstanding people skills, Sarah naturally connects with others, making her a valued team member and friend. She is a proud mother of two sons, balancing her career and family life with grace. Outside of work, Sarah devotes her time to what matters most – her family and her community. She is passionate about giving back and actively volunteers within the foster care system, using her compassion and energy to make a positive impact.
Melissa is a motivated and detail-oriented Civil Engineer with over 5 years of academic training, along with hands-on experience in construction project coordination. She has a proven ability to manage timelines efficiently, communicate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, and ensure top-notch quality control throughout project lifecycles. Skilled in creating technical drawings, construction plans, and reading blueprints, Melissa excels in problem-solving and adapting to fast-paced environments. Her strong organizational skills and commitment to delivering high-quality results make her an asset in driving successful project outcomes, while consistently meeting both client and team expectations. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys spending time with her husband and family, going to the movies, relaxing at the beach, and unwinding in quiet places.
SMOKY STONE
Core Values
We believe in creating a great company culture where our team members experience professional and personal growth, enhancing their lives and the quality of products and services provided to our customers.
TRUST
Trust and truthfulness are the foundations of any relationship and the only way to build a stable organization.
HUMILITY
The art of listening with a humble spirit is an essential value in our company.
INTEGRITY
We will not allow our decisions to be compromised by our circumstances.
TEAMWORK
We promote a culture of helping each other to achieve our professional and personal goals with excellence.
LEADERSHIP AND PERSONAL GROWTH
We believe in using the company as a vehicle to grow our people. Our people will then grow our company. We want to become the best versions of ourselves.
