At the heart of NBSS are a diverse and dedicated team of staff, faculty, and strategic advisors. Together they provide a supportive environment for students to learn at the highest level, and they engage with a broad-based community of alumni and friends. In addition to the Staff and Faculty below, our community also includes dedicated Boards of Directors and Advisors.
Michael Burrey is a timber-frame joinery specialist renowned for his expertise in 17th-century building techniques, including roof thatching, interior wall construction, and historic paint finishes. After earning a degree in Early American and Colonial Life, he served as an Interpretive Artisan at Plimoth Plantation, blending research with hands-on interpretation of colonial craftsmanship.
In 1999, Michael founded MLB Restorations, focusing on restoring historic buildings and designing sustainable structures rooted in traditional craftsmanship. His work on significant historic preservation projects has established him as a leader in the field. Michael was selected in 2014 to restore the Tower of London and, more recently, contributed to the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral after its 2019 fire. Collaborating with Handshouse Studio and French carpentry firm Asselin, he helped reconstruct the Cathedral’s iconic timber spire, which debuted during its December 2024 reopening.
Michael’s work has been featured by CNN, Elle Decor, and The Boston Globe, celebrating his role in preserving and restoring some of the world’s most treasured landmarks.
Thomas is an instructor for the second year of the Preservation Carpentry program. He also operates his own preservation business, with a particular focus on historic windows and doors and is interested in mid- to late Victorian era houses. He comes from an education background in the sciences, most recently as a teacher of 15 years in the Quincy Public Schools. Thomas also teaches in our Community Education department.
Steven is a graduate of our Preservation Carpentry program, teaches first-year students, and is head of the department. He worked for Historic New England for six years as a carpenter. During this time, he supervised NBSS students as summer interns. He earned a Historic New England President’s Award through his work with second-year NBSS students on the preservation of the Pierce House in Dorchester. He has also served as an instructor for Boston YouthBuild’s preservation carpentry component.
Steven has guided first-year students through restoration work on many historic properties in the Boston area, including the 1713 Old State House. In 2010, his class saved an 18th-century two-bay English barn from demolition in Hanover, MA.