Our Team
Leo Kowal
Founder / Photographer
Born in Rzeszów, Poland and raised on Chicago’s south side, Leo began his career in the IT world. When he wasn’t busy providing IT/Customer support for 3COM, MCI Worldcom, Chrysler and Sharp Electronics, or traveling the country training USRobotics’ call center agents, he pursued various creative outlets which included photography, videography and song-writing. Not fond of rules, and always questioning the status quo, he found himself loathing corporate structure and channeling his inner entrepreneur. In the winter of 2009, he helped cofound SVGCuts with then wife, Mary Rudakas. SVGCuts captured the 2013 Martha Stewart American Made Audience Choice award and continues to set the bar for off-the-page 3D paper crafts. Outside of the craft world, Leo plays guitar, writes music and is always on the lookout for that quintessential landscape photograph. His work playlist consists of John Mayer, Dave Matthews Band, J. Cole, Donell Jones, Dr. Dre, Wiz Khalifa, Beastie Boys, Steely Dan, Billy Currington, J. Davis Trio, Tycho and Helen Jane Long. Learn more about Leo here at leokowal.com
Ron Gutman
Product Designer / Art Director
Ron comes to us from Allentown, PA with an exciting and diverse 40 year career in the arts. Self taught and a burgeoning artist at a very early age his work experience spans a broad range of interests and styles. Professional positions held include Display Director/Designer, Fashion & Textile Director/Designer, Costume & Scenic Designer and Graphic Designer/Illustrator. His works have seen the likes of national & international publications, fine department and specialty stores, private art collections, museums, galleries, fairs etc. Along his celebrated career he has been honored with many awards for both fine art and design excellence. On top of all of this, Ron has always been an avid craftsman exploring a multitude of mediums & disciplines. His love of crafting had him teaching ceramics for many years and he still continues to hold various art/craft workshops to promote the creative spirit that lies within us all. Papercrafting has been with him all along, discovering it’s magical properties as a toddler and turning the family home into a veritable paper chain jungle! He sees unlimited potential in stretching the boundaries of what can be accomplished with simple paper and today’s technology. Ron’s love of beauty, color and style, most evident in his work, has sparked the imagination of many and continues to provide inspiration and enjoyment to all. Visit him at rongutmanstudio.com
Diana Tam
3D Paper Engineer
Diana was born near São Paulo, Brazil and moved to the USA when she was 18 years old. Holding multiple degrees, a bachelor’s degree in media arts and animation from the Illinois Institute of Art (Schaumburg, IL) and an associates in applied science minoring in animation from the College of Dupage (Glen Ellyn, IL). Diana has held creative positions within the College of Dupage multimedia department where she created digital content for the college’s TV station as well as at National Engravers where she conceptualized various medals and corporate awards in 2D and 3D spaces. When she’s not busy engineering 3D paper projects for Dreaming Tree, she indulges in Korean television dramas, other forms of art, music, travel, her two kitties, Rio and Riku and her doggie, Kimchi. Diana also has a passion for fishtanks and raises shrimp. She also enjoys eating shrimp. Shhhh, don’t tell her shrimp that. Diana is happily married to the love of her life, Aaron Baby.
Mike Fernholz
Customer Support Specialist
Mike comes to Dreaming Tree from Southern California with a lifetime of technical and customer service experience. Working for companies like Bank of America and Home Depot (just to name a few), Mike served in customer-oriented roles which included supervisor, corporate trainer as well as help desk department manager. In addition to his work, Mike has always had an interest in crafting. He discovered the world of cutting machines in 2009 when he purchased his first Silhouette (he’s a Silhouette and Cricut guy now) and has been an active part of this growing community since. In addition to electronic cutting, he enjoys photography, graphic design, making YouTube videos, growing plumerias and spending time with his family (especially at Disneyland).
Pumpkin
Supervisor / Whiner
Born in an undisclosed location in May of 2013, Pumpkin is a male orange tabby freak-of-nature-hybrid-puss-dog. Unlike most cats, Pumpkin is very social, he comes when you call him and he plays fetch. Aside from handling day to day Dreaming Tree operations and payroll, he enjoys sleeping 14 hours a day and believes in maintaining a very balanced work/life existence. Other hobbies include yoga, meditation, tight-rope walking, bouncing off walls, running really really fast for no reason and being super creepy at 4AM. His favorite toys are laser pointers and fuzzy balls.