The dedicated instructors at Seattle Central College's Wood Technology Center emphasize safety, attention to detail and quality craftsmanship. They share their extensive knowledge and provide specialized training to help our students gain new skill sets and hands-on experience.
Catie Chaplan
Catie Chaplan has been an instructor at the Wood Technology Center since the mid-1990s. She currently is the lead instructor in the Carpentry program. In addition, Catie teaches the computer-aided design (CAD) and computer numeric control (CNC) classes at the WTC and is interested in combining digital fabrication with traditional building techniques.
Catie has been a professional builder for the past 26 years and has worked for general contractors, boat builders, and cabinet shops. She has owned and operated a residential design/build company in Seattle since 2002. Catie received a BA in Philosophy from Colgate University in 1990. She began her career in woodworking when she moved to Seattle and, enrolled in the Marine Carpentry Program at the Wood Technology Center (formerly Gompers). Catie was the first woman ever to graduate from the Marine Carpentry Program.
Catie is dedicated to teaching and is an active member of the Wood Technology Center community. She enjoys getting to know students and helping them develop great building and computer skills.
Sam Laher
Sam Laher is a shipwright who has been working in the marine trades for over 30 years.
He was born and raised in Minnesota and grew up fishing on its many lakes, rivers and ponds. After graduating from the state’s Art High School he attended the University of Minnesota. However, his real interest was the water, so in 1995 he joined the Coast Guard.
After serving four years as an engineer, Sam got out of the Coast Guard and became a marine mechanic, working on everything from container ships to private yachts. Longing for something more creative, he enrolled in the Marine Carpentry program at Seattle Central College in 2002. After graduating he went straight to work as shipwright apprentice.
As a shipwright Sam has worked in a variety of environments, from small boatyards to large union shipyards. He has owned his own business as well as worked for many old-time masters of the trade.
Sam feels honored to be teaching at the Wood Technology Center and stresses the importance of safety to his students - not only personal safety, but also making boats safe for the people who will be using them.