People
Emil Frei & Associates artists and craftsmen are experts in the industry. Equally important, they are thoughtful and can carry on a conversation. Speak with any of us here and—whether about elastomeric sealants or systematic theology, soleic flux or lyric poetry, thermal bonding mesh or ancient philosophy—you will find yourself surprised by our knowledge and curiosity.
Stephen Frei
Steve took command of family business from his father, Robert Frei, in 1990. Steve ran track for the University of Missouri while earning his MBA, even though he can’t stand stretching. Spend a few minutes with Steve, and you’ll quickly learn about the things he loves: badminton, the hammered-dulcimer, and eating popcorn with his grandchildren.
Aaron Frei
Aaron earned his Masters in Theology from the University of Dallas. In addition to acting as the firm’s President, he is an expert in theology and iconography. Aaron started working here at age 11 and, except for the few years he spent in a Cistercian monastery, has not found a way to break the mold. Not only did he take over the company reins from his father, but he lives in his great-grandfather’s house and drives his grandfather’s tractor.
Email Aaron
Nicholas Frei
Nick holds a BA in Theology from the University of Dallas. Nick manages the firm’s projects forecasting and manages many of the firm’s installation and restoration projects. On the weekends, in-between his toddlers’ naps, Nick powers up his woodshop to make everything from doors for churches to furniture for his wife.
Recent Projects: St. Anthony of Padua (Saint Louis, MO), Providence Heights (Issaquah, WA), St. Francis of Assisi (New Orleans, LA)
Email Nick
Br. Martin Erspamer
Br. Martin is a Benedictine monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey who splits his time between the monastery and his art studio. Martin holds a Masters in Ceramics from Boston University and a certification as a Liturgical Designer from the Catholic Theological Union of Chicago. He is a nationally recognized artist known for his stained glass, ceramics, paintings, prints, and illustrations.
Recent Projects:
St. Mary’s of the Knobs (Floyd Knobs, IN)
St. Monica’s Catholic Church (Indianapolis, IN)
Jeff Govro
Jeff is a senior craftsman whose problem-solving abilities are matched only by his affability. Over the past few decades, Jeff has not only kept the company trucks running but has handled some of our most challenging projects.
Jennifer Kim
Jennifer is a fifth generation Frei. In addition to keeping the office humming, she is our primary glazier and responsible for assembling many of our new stained glass projects.
Email Jennifer
Elizabeth Kunz
Elizabeth is a fifth generation Frei. She works on restoration and new work, and specializes in soldering, waterproofing, and cleaning stained glass. Outside the studio, Elizabeth is known to organize and declutter anything in her way.
Buddy Pondrom
His given is Guy, but he goes by Buddy. And that’s how we think of him. Buddy doubles as an onsite craftsman and in-studio artist, where he excels at duplicating painted art glass. Buddy is a tinkerer at heart, so outside the Frei Studio you’ll find experimenting with his cnc router or drawing at community art events.
Gustavo Saavedra
Gustavo works as a craftsman restoring and preserving stained glass. He came to Emil Frei & Associates with a breadth of professional experience that ranges from pouring concrete foundations in Alaska to restoring murals and oil paintings in Mexico City.
James Hannegan
James holds a BA in Liberal Arts from Wyoming Catholic College. As a jobsite supervisor he manages restoration, installation, and removal projects. In his free time, you will find him in his woodshop creating arts and crafts furniture or at his forge hammering out ironwork. During the summer he loves to garden.
Joe Classen
Joe has a BA in Philosophy, a Masters of Divinity, and served in a variety of pastoral ministry roles before coming to Emil Frei as a craftsman. Although a native of Missouri, he lived on Kodiak Island Alaska where he did ministry work and operated as a wilderness guide among giant Kodiak bears. When not working on beautiful stained glass windows, you’ll find him spending time with his lovely wife, or immersed in the great outdoors.
Kyle Herrington
Kyle has a master’s degree in theology from Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. He gave up the books to work with his hands and is responsible for cutting glass for both new and restoration projects. A proud Kansas City native, Kyle enjoys playing volleyball and reading when he’s not at the Studio.
In addition to our core group, Emil Frei & Associates is proud to count a variety of artists, carpenters, metalsmiths as a part of our team. Although they aren’t mentioned here by name, we greatly value their contributions to our projects, and we love to work with them.