Copper Instincts’ Staff….
The Pátzcuaro manager of operations is Alma Reyes. She is bilingual and her gracious attention to visitors, coupled with her excellent communication skills, smoothly launch the manufacturer's operations. She orchestrates the procurement of materials, carpenters and copper artisans, then integrates the forged iron modules from the blacksmiths in Tonalá. She also supervises the assemblage of shipments from south central Mexico for final quality control and consolidation at our warehouse in Tonalá (Guadalajara).

The Tonalá (Guadalajara) manager of administrative operations is Angélica Mejía. She bilingual and is the meticulous general administrator for the blacksmith shop, oversees all orders, and coordinates all international shipments to  clients to any destination in the world. Because of her excellent command of English, she also attends to visitors the main furniture showroom.

Armando Robles is the production manager for the blacksmith shop. He is a talented designer and master finisher for iron production. He has formulated the original iron finishes currently in use and serves as Quality Control Supervisor for the total operation of .

The creation the home furnishings line with recycled copper and other earth-friendly materials was a natural progression for Fred. As a geologist for almost 15 years, he worked on environmental affairs for Kennecott Utah Copper's Bingham Canyon copper mine and on various environmental consulting projects throughout the U.S.A. and Mexico. Having been raised in Texas working closely with Mexican laborers on farms and ranches, he found learning Spanish fun. After having taken Spanish courses in high school and college; he spent the summer of 1982 traveling in Mexico. It was on that trip that he fell in love with the rich culture and traditions of the Mexican culture; as well as the colonial architecture and home furnishings made in Mexico. On that summer trip, he made a promise that one day he would live in Mexico; especially if he was ever fortunate enough to get married and have kids because he recognized how much the Mexican culture places importance on family and traditional values.

That dream turned into reality in 1996 when Fred and his wife Meg, an environmental engineer, left their stressful corporate jobs and brought their two very young children to live in Mexico, and to establish the manufacturing operations. Ironically, they now have even more stressful jobs owning their own business in a foreign country. Ten years later they are very proud to say they have built a viable and reputable business under sometimes less than favorable business conditions, have developed a highly unique and great selling home furnishings line, and have developed excellent relationships with their valued clients and employees. And the decision to raise their kids in Mexico has proven to be a very good one as they are very well-adjusted and totally bilingual, enjoy living in Mexico, and appreciate the time they get to spend once or twice a year traveling to the U.S. to visit family, friends, and to sightsee.

The town they chose to live in is the town of Pátzcuaro, in the state of Michoacán. It is a small historic colonial town founded in 1535 -- eminently civilized and rich in fascinating traditions. It is a pristine region of pine-forested mountains dotted with highland lakes. At 7,500 feet above sea level, the days are delightfully sun-drenched and the nights chilly enough to light up the fireplace. Fred calls it the “Santa Fe of Mexico”. Let Fred and Meg know if you would like to come to Mexico and visit their manufacturing operations. They will be happy to assist you with hotel reservations, restaurant recommendations, driver/tour-guide/translator to take you shopping or to visit nearby villages, or anything else you may need.