Dear Tom and Sherry:
 I hope it is okay if we address you by your first names. After communicating with Janelle on numerous occasions in preparation to attend the September “Discover Kuhns Bros. Your Way” and finally completing the two day seminar; the staff made us feel like we were part of the Kuhns Bros. Family. I pen this letter to you because often times consumers voice complaints with very little regard for deeds and task performed well. Although I have sent written sentiments of appreciation to the individual members of your staff that made our trip memorable, I was compelled to share with you our gratitude and high esteem for the team of professionals who expended immeasurable energy and hours to meet with us and how they exhibited “saintly” patience in answering my unending questions, namely : Janelle Small, Vincent Fellman, Lynda Tompkins, Wendi Zimmerman, Tom Gothel, John Quinn, Steve Sawyer, Kevin Hoover, and John Wettig. If I may, please allow me a few minutes to share our story.
My husband, Alan, has had the dream of building a log home for more years than I can remember and his passion and excitement was so contagious that his dream has become my dream as well. Since relocating to Nashville in 2005, we have attended many local log home seminars and conventions. I recall attending a log home show a while back and we questioned our sales representative (Old Timers Log Homes) regarding their competitors and he informed us that Kuhns Bros. was their only true competitor. Even with this new knowledge, we remained committed to Old Timers Log Homes until the business changed hands and our sales representative who we loved and respected left his sales position. Since we no longer had a sales contact, we found ourselves in limbo mode. Nevertheless, we attended another log home show and while there, stopped by the Kuhns Bros. exhibit and had a very lengthy and informative conversation with Rick and Virginia Conn. They invited us to an open house and there the “Interest” seed was planted. Rick suggested that we visit the headquarters in Lewisburg.
After completing our research we redirected our attention to Kuhns Bros: And although, our budget was very tight because I had not worked in five years due to a car accident, we decided to step out on faith and travel to Lewisburg. With no expectations, all I can say is that the trip was worth every penny and we were blessed by your staff in the process.
Our first blessing came when Janelle Small responsed to our application in such a timely manner. She was receptive to each telephone call and email (and there were many.) She dispelled all of my concerns with a ready solution. Her professionalism was without measure and she is an outstanding first impression to Kuhns Bros. Enterprise. I recall emailing her a week or two before our departure regarding having an opportunity to see every aspect of the seminar offerings by arriving a day early. Janelle made it possible for us to meet with Lynda Tompkins prior to the seminar so that we could have time to meet with John Wettig in financing.
When we arrived in Lewisburg, our first stop was to visit the model home where we met Vincent Fellman. I cannot describe the excitement as we drove into the parking lot. Vincent was both personable and professional, patient, and extremely knowledgeable. After touring the model, although dated in the since that it was constructed sometime ago, my husband and I were impressed with the quality workmanship. Vincent shared many tidbits and we left the model excited with the feeling that maybe Kuhns Bros is the way to go.
After lunch we made our way to the headquarters where we met Janelle who had scheduled an appointment with engineer, Lynda Tompkins. With a draft of our plans in hand we sat with Lynda and shared our dream. With ease and grace Lynda began sharing her knowledge and offered various cost saving alternatives for us to consider. After the initial meeting, we met with Lynda a second time before we returned to Nashville (Mt. Juliet), to inform her that we had discarded our draft and would be going back to the drawing board. We were not only impressed with her knowledge but her offer to review our drafts throughout the process. By this time I was sold on Kuhns Bros. Alan being more reserve was still in the wait and see mode. However, I believe that he was just being a man and trying to cover up his excitement with a “cool” demeanor.
On the first official day of the seminar, we had the pleasure of meeting John Quinn, who transported the attendees to the plant. He served as our tour guide and comedian enroute to the plant and while having lunch on the second day of the seminar we discovered that we were musically bonded in our love for the Blues and Country music genre. Once we arrived at the plant site and while touring the facility, John Quinn and Tom Gothel answered a host of questions. To our good fortune, as we toured the office structure, we noted the stain on the 6x12 Profile Logs, and at the exact moment, my husband and I had an epiphany. We changed our die hard log preference from 8 inch D Logs to the 6x12 Profiles desiring the exact same stain. We shared our excitement with Tom Gothel and asked if he could find out the stain color. Tom went the extra mile, he not only gave us the name of the stain color, he also gave us samples of the log and chinking stains –all within a a short period of our return to headquarters.
After lunch we were introduced to other Kuhns Bros. team members; Wendi Zimmerman, from engineering who was kind enough to provide a copy of one of the homes shown in her power point presentation. She also gave us one of her business cards and encouraged us to call anytime with questions or concerns as we begin the redesign process. Although the attendees were introduced to Steve Sawyer and Kevin Hoover, day one of the seminar, the appreciation for their knowledge and skills did not manifest until the second day of our session.
The second day was a work day that took us on a roller coster ride. First, our adrenaline was flowing just thinking about the thrill of building our dream home. However, as the work session continued, the reality of the work involved in the process of log home constructions became overwhelming and a seemingly daunting task. I recall asking my husband is this what he really wants? Suppose we selected the wrong contractor? To our joy before the session concluded we were informed of the on-site service offering.
In closing, as I stated previously, we stepped out on faith to attend the two day session and without a doubt it was worth the money and time invested to get a first hand orientation to the wonder and magic of Kuhn’s Bros. Log Homes. Alan and I returned home with a renewed spirit that we will build our dream home and with the birth of a new relation with Kuhn’s Bros. we are confident that the dream will become a reality. We are now armed with more knowledge and information, which will help us make wise decisions. Because of your quality product, outstanding support offerings, as well as your committed and over the top professional staff—We choose Kuhns Bros. to help us make our dream a reality.
The only draw back at this point is finding the right piece of land. We have researched a few pieces but discovered during the research process ( with the zoning boards) that one problem or another existed. So, we ask that you join us in prayer as we wait on Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ to show us the land. Until such time, Alan will continue working on the plans.
We will return to Lewisburg in May 2010 ( after the winter snow melts) to pick up some large pieces that we purchased at the Antique Consignment Store for our dream home. By then we should be prepared to order our preliminary plans. It is our hope and prayer that Kuhns Bros. will be receptive to working with us from a financial and professional perspective.
We extend bountiful blessings to you and the entire Kuhns Bros. Family as we all enter the holiday season.
Warm Regards,
Kathlyn J. Kirkwood, PhD |
 Dear Mr. Kuhns,
We want to thank you so much for the incredible log home workshop that we attended last week. Now we know even more reasons why KBLH is so “special.”
Each part of the workshop – the tour of the mill, classroom session, and the hands-on experience – were
excellent. We had no idea of the scope of KBLH operations until we came out and “got some mud and sawdust on our boots” at your
complex. We were especially impressed with the discussion of kiln drying and why the 6x8 D-shaped log is superior to the much
bigger logs that are often used out west. We also enjoyed working with logs and bolts on Saturday. Tom, you have got to give
Claude a big raise for both his folksy teaching and his technical knowledge. The fact that KBLH kept us and the other folks
stuffed with donuts, coffee, sandwiches, PA-style potato chips, and the excellent buffet at the Country Cupboard Inn also didn’t hurt!
The KBLH workshop was even more special because we shared it with our KBLH dealer, Jim Keltz and his lovely wife Yvonne,
as well as another couple who have also ordered a KBLH package from Jim. The Keltz’s treated us all to a lovely Italian dinner
and also took us through the model home center in Lewisburg. There is no mystery why Jim is one of your top dealers. In
addition to being a great listener and technically savvy guy, Jim is one of the nicest persons that we have ever met. We are
confident that our modified Saybrook, coupled with Jim’s talents, will bring many additional happy customers into the KBLH family.
Since I am a business school professor, maybe I can nominate Kuhns Brothers for a national Malcolm Baldridge Quality Award.
You folks are the best!
Sincerely,
Paul and Linda Scipione |
Just a note to thanks for the last few days for your personal effort in making our trip worthwhile. We are back in Ireland safe and sound after a highly informative and fun few days. 
