Mike Baldwin has been a boatbuilder his entire life.  He built his first boat as a young boy, and since then his professional education, his career & businesses, have combined to develop his craft to what it is today.

    In 1962 Mike graduated from the Ontario College of Art & Design, as an Industrial Designer.  He took a position in the Design Department of Dominion Electrohome, once a major manufacturer of furniture, electronics, and home appliances.  During his time at Electrohome, Mike received several awards for his designs.   Mike left to form Baldwin Design Associates in 1967, specializing in contemporary furniture design for several Canadian manufacturers of furniture, lighting, and appliances. 

    Concurrently teaching Industrial Design Technology at Conestoga College (Doon Campus) from ’68 - 72, gave Mike the chance to inspire young designers, as well as impart his experience in blending art with functional projects.  In 1972 Mike left the College to form Second Century Furniture Ltd where he designed and built elegant custom furniture, primarily from fine woods and fabrics.

    Finally ready to pursue boatbuilding more seriously, Mike began SeaBee Systems Inc. in 1988, showcasing his unique design of single-man rowing shells, as well as small rowing boats, canoes, and kayaks.   In 1989 he travelled to Brooklin, Maine to attend the Wooden Boat School, where he became qualified as a Marine Surveyor.

    Always interested in new challenges, Mike changed course to building architectural signage through Treen Incorporated, creating beautiful pieces for clients such as The Second Cup, COWS Ice Cream, and many smaller entrepreneurs in touristy towns like St. Jacobs, Ontario, Cavendish, PEI, and Banff, Alberta.  Finding himself working in the boat house more and more, it was natural for his son to take the reins of Treen.  Since then, Mike has been pursuing his vocation full-time at his land-locked property outside of Bright, Ontario.