The Backwoods Team
The Chandler Family
Owners
Fun Fact: Owned 40+ vehicles
Instagram: @chris_chandler
Chris and Morgan Chandler are a power team. They're amazing leaders in our company and in our community. Chris is our President and Morgan serves on our board of directors. They focus on doing things the right way and bringing all of our team together for the same goal. They practice what they preach and are always investing in the improvement of our company. They're focused on building the next generation of business leaders. You never know what new project vehicle you'll see them in next.
Grant Willbanks
Marketing & Website Guy
Cons: Likes to wear mullet wigs
Instagram: @grizzy.gram
Grant is our super famous influencer guy, and he REALLY loves when you call him that. Grant has a passion for offroading, Toyotas, and basically anything with wheels. He's often found asking his coworkers when they want to wheel as well as bragging about going 10 psi in his stupid beadlocks. Grant leads the charge with our social media, design, video, website, and marketing strategy and drives a fully built 3rd gen Tacoma. He lives out the Backwoods brand to the fullest just like the rest of the crew.
Cody Buech
Operations Manager
Fun Fact: Taught himself how to wrap vehicles
Instagram: @codybuech
Cody is our tech guru and has an impressive understanding of production efficiency with a knack for problem solving. Cody used to work in production as our main laser operator, but his skills showed us he had more potential. He eventually joined our engineering team and has been a valuable asset ever since. Cody has a strong passion for vehicles and still holds bragging rights for fastest vehicle on the lot. Cody plays a huge part in how your product was designed and manufactured.
Israel Gutierrez
Production Lead Supervisor
Greatest strength: Laying dimes
Instagram: -
Israel leads the production floor and is in charge of several other crew members. Israel pours his blood, sweat, and tears into all of our Backwoods products and is a master fabricator. If he's not stacking dimes, he's probably making crazy cool sculptures out of welding wire. He is one of the most creative and genuine guys we have. He even built his own house for him and his family. Israel not only works extremely hard at work, but is an amazing father to 7 (we think) kids. Israel is the man.
Mo Esquivel
Business Development Manager
Caution: Weirdly obsessed with jello shots
Instagram: @4runningtheozarks
There is only one Mo. His passion for wheeling, camping, wrenching, cookie eating, chocolate milk drinking (Hiland only), kayaking, neon yellow Crocs, and Toyotas is completely unmatched. Mo has his roots in Arkansas and knows the Ozarks well. You can often find him saying one of his many one liners, including: "big rims loud pipes, same same, talk to me Goose, rigs & cigs, CHURCH, what's up cowboy, check them lugs," and many more. Mo currently drives a baller long travel 5th gen 4Runner.
Evan House
Mr. Backwoods
Greatest skill: Not losing the 10mm
Instagram: @ozarky_sparky
Born from a bald eagle and Wonder Woman herself, Evan is a 100% American Patriot. Evan is a multitalented dude that will always give you a laugh. He's a master when it comes to designing new products, welding and installing prototypes, and he is THE "one take wonder" when it comes to shooting install videos. Evan has been a motorhead his whole life and has a true passion for this lifestyle, which is obvious when you're around him. His problem solving skills and positive vibes are shared by all!
"Sandy" the Grinding Robot
Grinds Bumpers & other Stuff
Worst trait: Dust everywhere
Instagram: @backwoodsadventuremods
Sandy is one of our beloved FANUC robots. She cost quite a bit of coin, but allows us to get out our product much quicker. Sandy is a huge team player and works well with our crew of hand welders and with R2. Some say she doesn't talk much, but others have witnessed her discussing her preference of aluminum over steel. We are still working on teaching her to clean up after herself because she often makes a big mess. Sandy is a super valuable asset to the team and never complains about anything.
Israel Gutierrez
Production Lead Supervisor
Greatest strength: Laying dimes
Instagram: -
Israel leads the production floor and is in charge of several other crew members. Israel pours his blood, sweat, and tears into all of our Backwoods products and is a master fabricator. If he's not stacking dimes, he's probably making crazy cool sculptures out of welding wire. He is one of the most creative and genuine guys we have. He even built his own house for him and his family. Israel not only works extremely hard at work, but is an amazing father to 7 (we think) kids. Israel is the man.
Bart Miller
Eastside Road Dog
Height: 5' 2"
Instagram: @bartmiller101
Are you a good person who loves our products and supporting our brand? Well, Bart did and now he works for us. Bart lives all the way in Maryland and works much of the East coast for us, although he won't bat an eye at a drive all the way to the West coast. Bart is an avid wheeler and used to drive a Tacoma, but is now in one of the cleanest Sprinter builds we've seen in a long time. Bart is the MASTER of dialed. Everything he touches is super tidy, and he's not afraid to push the limits of a van offroad.
J.O. Noack
Sales Account Manager
Biggest fear: Hermit crabs
Instagram: @ar.yota
J.O. is our newest addition to the Backwoods sales team, completing an unbelievable trifecta of double lettered first name salesmen. Mo and J.O. often work super close, in which we refer to them both as MOJO. J.O. is a diehard Toyota guy who rocks a super nicely built FJ Cruiser. Everyone knows J.O. as the nice guy. His personality, positive attitude, and humility is extremely contagious. J.O. cares deeply about our customers as well as his passion for Toyotas and the outdoors.
Ethan Lett
Engineering Youngbuck
Strength: Master of building on a budget
Instagram: Too busy LS swapping things
We scooped up Ethan right as he was finishing school. In fact, he actually started as an intern here during school, but we quickly saw his potential and value he would add to the team. He just seemed to fit right in and has the best attitude. Even though Ethan is the youngest in the bunch, he's a freaking genius with an impressive amount of experience with a wrench. He's no stranger to engine swaps and building truck campers. Ethan helps with engineering, installs, and has a hand in product design.
R2-Dime Stacker
Senior Bumper Welder
Strength: Never takes sick days
Instagram: @backwoodsadventuremods
R2-Dimestacker is one of our OTC robots that helps weld bumpers together. Although small in size, R2 helps us out big time by laying really down long, tedious welds. Depending on R2's mood, he either welds aluminum or steel, but is equally skilled at both. He's shy about it, but lots of our crew think he has the hots for Sandy, but it's not confirmed. Even though we have several hand welders, R2 helps speed up the process tremendously and requires the help of an operator to make sure he doesn't get out of line.
Israel Gutierrez
Production Lead Supervisor
Greatest strength: Laying dimes
Instagram: -
Israel leads the production floor and is in charge of several other crew members. Israel pours his blood, sweat, and tears into all of our Backwoods products and is a master fabricator. If he's not stacking dimes, he's probably making crazy cool sculptures out of welding wire. He is one of the most creative and genuine guys we have. He even built his own house for him and his family. Israel not only works extremely hard at work, but is an amazing father to 7 (we think) kids. Israel is the man.
"Sandy" the Grinding Robot
Grinds Bumpers & other Products
Worst trait: Dust everywhere
Instagram: @backwoodsadventuremods
Sandy is one of our beloved FANUC robots. She costed quite a bit of coin, but allows us to get out our product much quicker. Sandy is a huge team player and works well with our crew of hand welders and with R2. Some say she doesn't talk much, but others have witnessed her discussing her preference of aluminum over steel. We are still working on teaching her to clean up after herself because she often makes a big mess. Sandy is a super valuable asset to the team and never complains about anything.
"Sandy" the Grinding Robot
Grinds Bumpers & other Products
Worst trait: Dust everywhere
Instagram: @backwoodsadventuremods
Sandy is one of our beloved FANUC robots. She costed quite a bit of coin, but allows us to get out our product much quicker. Sandy is a huge team player and works well with our crew of hand welders and with R2. Some say she doesn't talk much, but others have witnessed her discussing her preference of aluminum over steel. We are still working on teaching her to clean up after herself because she often makes a big mess. Sandy is a super valuable asset to the team and never complains about anything.
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Marketing Guy
Instagram: @grizzy.gram | www.arkoffroad.com
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Israel Gutierrez
Production Lead Supervisor
Greatest strength: Laying dimes
Instagram: -
Israel leads the production floor and is in charge of several other crew members. Israel pours his blood, sweat, and tears into all of our Backwoods products and is a master fabricator. If he's not stacking dimes, he's probably making crazy cool sculptures out of welding wire. He is one of the most creative and genuine guys we have. He even built his own house for him and his family. Israel not only works extremely hard at work, but is an amazing father to 7 (we think) kids. Israel is the man.
R2-Dime Stacker
Senior Bumper Welder
Strength: Never takes sick days
Instagram: @backwoodsadventuremods
R2-Dimestacker is one of our OTC robots that helps weld bumpers together. Although small in size, R2 helps us out big time by laying really down long, tedious welds. Depending on R2's mood, he either welds aluminum or steel, but is equally skilled at both. He's shy about it, but lots of our crew think he has the hots for Sandy, but it's not confirmed. Even though we have several hand welders, R2 helps speed up the process tremendously and requires the help of an operator to make sure he doesn't get out of line.
"Sandy" the Grinding Robot
Grinds Bumpers & other Products
Worst trait: Dust everywhere
Instagram: @backwoodsadventuremods
Sandy is one of our beloved FANUC robots. She costed quite a bit of coin, but allows us to get out our product much quicker. Sandy is a huge team player and works well with our crew of hand welders and with R2. Some say she doesn't talk much, but others have witnessed her discussing her preference of aluminum over steel. We are still working on teaching her to clean up after herself because she often makes a big mess. Sandy is a super valuable asset to the team and never complains about anything.
-
Marketing Guy
Instagram: @grizzy.gram | www.arkoffroad.com
-
Israel Gutierrez
Production Lead Supervisor
Greatest strength: Laying dimes
Instagram: -
Israel leads the production floor and is in charge of several other crew members. Israel pours his blood, sweat, and tears into all of our Backwoods products and is a master fabricator. If he's not stacking dimes, he's probably making crazy cool sculptures out of welding wire. He is one of the most creative and genuine guys we have. He even built his own house for him and his family. Israel not only works extremely hard at work, but is an amazing father to 7 (we think) kids. Israel is the man.
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Website & Photo Guy
Instagram: @drewjtaylor
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"Sandy" the Grinding Robot
Grinds Bumpers & other Products
Worst trait: Dust everywhere
Instagram: @backwoodsadventuremods
Sandy is one of our beloved FANUC robots. She costed quite a bit of coin, but allows us to get out our product much quicker. Sandy is a huge team player and works well with our crew of hand welders and with R2. Some say she doesn't talk much, but others have witnessed her discussing her preference of aluminum over steel. We are still working on teaching her to clean up after herself because she often makes a big mess. Sandy is a super valuable asset to the team and never complains about anything.
-
Marketing Guy
Instagram: @grizzy.gram | www.arkoffroad.com
-
Israel Gutierrez
Production Lead Supervisor
Greatest strength: Laying dimes
Instagram: -
Israel leads the production floor and is in charge of several other crew members. Israel pours his blood, sweat, and tears into all of our Backwoods products and is a master fabricator. If he's not stacking dimes, he's probably making crazy cool sculptures out of welding wire. He is one of the most creative and genuine guys we have. He even built his own house for him and his family. Israel not only works extremely hard at work, but is an amazing father to 7 (we think) kids. Israel is the man.