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Classic Reflections is owned and operated by Ward Hammond and Karen Skahan, a husband and wife team. Ward has a computer technology background and manages all custom design work and laser production. Karen has a retail and gift marketing background and assists in production manufacturing as well as managing the business accounts. Ward is a native Texan, born in Fort Worth, and graduated High School in Mineral Wells, Texas. He studied Computer Science and Mathematics in San Angelo at Angelo State University. In 1979, Ward began his career in the computer industry with GTE Data Services, Inc. Ward expanded his skills and specialized in managing and programming HP-3000 systems. From 1986 through 2001, Ward consulted in software design, database design, warehouse and manufacturing support, storage design, disaster recovery, and fibre installation. The last 4 years of his career were difficult with 4 layoffs due to industry reductions. The last layoff was in 2001 prior to "911". Through out his life Ward has been an avid model railroader. Karen was born in Kansas, graduated high school in Charleston, Indiana. She has an undergraduate degree in Public Administration from Indiana University and a MBA in Internationl Business from the university of Texas at Dallas. Between 1985 and 1990, she owned and operated two retail specialty shops in Nashville, Indiana. Her corporate career included positions as financial analyst and senior accountant in the real estate development, retail franchise and energy industries. Karen is a self-taught artist and enjoys intricate detailing in pen and ink with water color pencils. Both Karen and Ward are former military dependents. Karen's father retired with 20 years in the Army and Ward's father retired with 21 years in the Air Force. Their extensive travels in their early years with their respective parents exposed them to a variety of places and cultures. Ward and Karen met at a Dallas Cowboys football game in 1990. Their similar backgrounds made them a perfect match and they married in 1993. Ward's interest in model railroading led them to explore the purchase of a laser. After many months of experimentation with the laser, Karen and Ward began to market laser engraved portraits on black granite under their new business entity, Classic Reflections. They tried specialty market niches including wedding trade shows, funeral homes, horse and dog shows. Our first dog show was the AKC National Agility Trials at Katy, Texas, on November 2002. The dog show venues proved to be the most successfuland they proceeded to develop this market by specializing in dog show awards for local, regional and national kennel clubs. Ward is fond of saying "Business has been great since it went to the dogs!" Now, Ward is back to model design and construction! After several years exploring and refining his skills with the laser and resin casting, he is back to what he loves best...Building unique detailed models! |
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