Jesse Cook is the maker behind Sunset Bench Woodworks. He grew up in Buffalo, Wyoming, and came to Montana to study biochemistry at MSU (go Cats). After a few years in Vancouver, he settled back in Montana’s Bitterroot Valley, now a dual Canadian citizen.

By day, he works in biochemistry. Nights and weekends, he’s in the shop on Sunset Bench, the stretch of the valley the business is named for. The two jobs have more in common than you’d think: both reward patience and precision, and a stubborn need to figure out why something isn’t working.

When he’s not in the shop, you’ll find him on the river with a fly rod, spending time with his Bernese Mountain dog, or getting ready for his newest job: dad.