Meet the Team
John Smith, Founder and President
After growing up on a beef farm outside Ottawa, Ontario, John graduated from Trinity College at the University of Toronto and received his MBA (and a wife) from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France. A banker by trade, his career led him to stints Amsterdam, Taipei, Chicago, New York, and Buenos Aires.
Eventually he joined a wireless telecom firm in a Washington, DC suburb where the Smiths, which at that stage included two Argentine daughters, put down roots. A family health issue led John to resign after just 18 months, and it was shortly thereafter that he transitioned to the furniture design and manufacturing world.
John lives with Mary, four daughters and two dogs in Great Falls, VA. When he’s not talking about the piErgonom comfort, arcane leather insights or driving the Freightliner to North Carolina he likes to watch his children in drama performances or on the sports field as well as sit by his backyard fire pit and cook stuff.
John ‘JB’ Behrens, COO
JB grew up in Washington, DC where he still lives today. He joined WILLEM SMITH in 2005 to manage operations. Enjoys the development process that comes with creating the best sit in the business.
Prior to working with WILLEM SMITH, JB worked with JBNM Engineered Products, Gael Quality Software, and Winthrop, Stimson. JB enjoys organic gardening, cooking, travelling, and puns in English and Spanish.
JB is married and the father of one daughter.