-Bedford, New Hampshire

History & Experience

In 1977, Dave Leonard was working for the Bath Iron Works building ships, while designing and building houses and furniture in his spare time. Finally, he made the decision to chuck the job and to spend his working life doing what he loved. So he started the company that was then called Kennebec Kitchens in an old garage that he converted to a studio and showroom in Bath. A year later, he successfully ran for the legislature and needed some help to run his fledgling business.

Jeff Peavey, a 1972 graduate of the University of Maine and Bath native, was doing design work at The Consolidated Supply Company in Bangor. He had been taught by Dick Cousins, owner of the business, who had, along with his wife, Bunny, “adopted” Peavey and his wife Judy and their new baby, and had taken him under his wing.

Peavey came to work for Leonard in 1975, and in 1977 they formed a partnership and started what is known now as The Kennebec Company, Designers and Cabinetmakers. In 1980 they moved to their current home in the Old Customs House Building on the shores of the Kennebec River in Bath. Dave’s daughter, Amy, and Jeff’s son, Matt, currently work in the business.