John “Jack” Hastings was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana as the second of five children. Jack received his bachelor degree from the University of Minnesota, Duluth in Biology.

A long-time Windsor chair aficionado, Jack made his first chair more than 20 years ago. Since his retirement from the world of finance, he has largely focused on developing his craft. A resident woodworker at the historic Biltmore Estate, Jack has also transferred his knowledge of wood and skill as a craftsperson to build custom guitars and, more recently, ukuleles.

Jack has been fortunate to learn from numerous renowned craftspeople, including chair maker Curtis Buchanan and Wayne Henderson, who was once described as “probably the most masterful guitar maker in this whole United States.” Jack has also participated in the Emma International Collaboration, a weeklong collaborative event in Canada that has drawn such international participants as wood sculpturist Jaime Russell and Maori carver Lyonel Grant.

Jack is a member of various woodworking organizations, including the Carolina Mountain Woodturners, the Furniture Society, the Guild of American Luthiers, and the Society of American Period Furniture Makers.