Dan Johnson | Master Craftsman & Co-Founder
Woodworking, much like law or medicine, is a practice—an ever-evolving mastery refined through dedication, discipline, and experience.
Dan Johnson’s journey began in 1977 in the Netherlands, where he attended a Technical Trade School as an American exchange student. With no prior woodworking experience and limited language skills, he relied on meticulous observation, patience, and repetition to learn. What started as a challenge soon became a passion, leading him to excel under a rigorous curriculum.
Forgoing a traditional college education, Dan earned his general contractor’s license at just 20 years old and spent the next four decades mastering his craft. He sought wisdom from generations of tradesmen—carpenters, cabinet makers, masons, and artisans—absorbing techniques honed over centuries. His career evolved from custom architectural projects to fine furniture making, where his artistry and deep respect for materials now take center stage.
Dan’s philosophy is rooted in honoring the integrity of the wood. He works primarily with old-growth Redwood and Douglas Fir, often using entire sections of salvaged trees to preserve their natural form. Every slab carries a story, shaping the design rather than conforming to rigid specifications. His approach is one of patience and adaptability, ensuring that no two pieces are alike.
Crafting with materials that predate the Renaissance is a privilege, requiring a balance of precision, innovation, and reverence. Each cut must be intentional, as Redwood often reveals unexpected grain patterns, voids, or ancient anomalies that dictate the final form. His proprietary VOC-free finishing process enhances the wood’s natural beauty and durability, ensuring each table is not just an object, but an heirloom to be passed down for generations.
Golden Gate Grove is the culmination of Dan’s lifetime of experience—a tribute to craftsmanship, sustainability, and the enduring beauty of the world’s rarest woods.
Adam Simpson | Co-Founder & Principal
Golden Gate Grove is more than a business—it is a heritage preserved in wood, craftsmanship, and legacy. As a six-time founder, Adam Simpson has built and scaled businesses across multiple industries, but this venture is deeply personal. It is about preserving history, elevating craftsmanship, and creating timeless works of art.
Adam’s passion for entrepreneurship, design, and heritage craftsmanship is woven into the fabric of Golden Gate Grove. His journey began in investment banking, where relentless hours and a high-pressure culture sharpened his strategic thinking but left him searching for something more meaningful. A pivotal moment came when he requested a 30-day hiatus to travel through Europe—a request that reshaped his entire perspective. That journey was not just an escape; it was a realization that work should support a life well-lived, not consume it. Upon returning, he made the bold decision to step away from the corporate world, invest nearly all his savings into his first business, and within months, became a full-time entrepreneur.
For Adam, business is more than profit margins—it is about creativity, freedom and legacy. Golden Gate Grove embodies these values, blending his expertise in business strategy with a deep reverence for rare, storied materials. His role is to bridge past and future, ensuring that these ancient woods are transformed into heirloom-quality furniture that endures.
Beyond business, Adam and his family live with intention and purpose—homeschooling their children, immersing them in the arts, and curating a life rich in travel, adventure, and discovery. Their home near Lake Tahoe serves as both a retreat and a launchpad for experiences that reflect the same philosophy that guides Golden Gate Grove: to craft a life as unique and enduring as the materials they work with.
Shop our Tables
A Golden Gate Grove table is more than furniture—it’s history, craftsmanship, and timeless beauty in one. Made from 1,200-year-old reclaimed Redwood, each piece is uniquely crafted to last for generations