Letters of Recommendation
Fred Porta
We have just received the final acceptance letter from the National Park Service acknowledging the successful completion of the Roof Repair and Seismic Strengthening Project for the First Church of Christ Scientist, Berkeley, and I want to thank you for your outstanding performance on the Project!
The Church was designed by architect, Bernard Maybeck, in 1909 and has been designated a National Historic Landmark. The major funding of this $2 million project came from a $550,000 federal Save America's Treasures matching grant administrated by the National Park Service.
The Getty Foundation supported the project with a $250,000 Architectural Implementation matching grant. The National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express assisted with a $118,000 Partners In Preservation grant. Additional funds came from members of the Church, the Friends, and 50 other churches.
Treeline Construction was selected as the General Contractor for the Project under a competitive selection process that fully complied with the Federal acquisition regulations. Your performance on this very important project was exemplary! The project was competed in two phases over a 3-year period and stands out as one of the most successful projects I have experienced in my 40-year career.
The successful restoration of a century-old building of international reputation requires a strong Project Team of Owner, Architect/Engineer and Contractor. Treelines's best aspect was as an active member of the Project Team. Your work was always of the highest quality, faithfully performed, and at a very competitive price. But in addition, when unanticipated site issues arose, you were a leading force in the development of creative, professionally sound, and economical solutions. You worked cooperatively with me, the Architect, and with the Structural Engineer, and were a key member of the Team.
The entire Treeline Team performed a difficult assignment with outstanding dedication, professionalism, and superior quality of performance. I want to commend you for your work
and for your commitment and dedication to quality work performed on schedule and within the budget.
I am delighted to serve as a reference for your selection on future projects.
Sincerely,
Fred R. Porta
Friends of the First Church Christ Scientist
Gee Heckscher
To Whom it May Concern,
Treeline Construction has just completed (except for weather-delayed exterior painting) the voluntary seismic upgrade of the historic West Point Inn located on the Old Railroad Grade 2/3 of the way up Mt. Tamalpais in Mill Valley, CA. They were awarded the project on the basis of a competitive bid advertised and construction managed by the Marin Municipal Water District, Owner of the building.
The project was initiated by the West Point Inn Association, a non-profit volunteer organization that runs the Inn as a public facility serving hikers, bikers and overnight guests. The building was built in 1904 as a way station for the tourist railroad and transfer point for stagecoaches. It was taken over by volunteers in the 1940's when it was threatened with demolition. Even though it survived the earthquakes of 1906 and 1989, it was considered a potential seismic risk given its 12" thick weathered rubblestone foundation.
The building was vacated during the slow winter season to allow for the most timely completion of the project. The principal elements included shotcreting the stone foundation on the inside, removal and replacement of most of the shingles and skip sheathing to allow for the insertion of plywood shear walls and the shoring of the entire roof of a 800 square foot 1920's addition to allow for a complete new foundation, floor and exterior walls.
As in most preservation projects, the goal was to provide a project that belied any work having been done. Where steel transfer braces were required inside the stonewalls, Treeline removed the affected stones, recorded and labelled each one, sliced them to a 2" thickness and replaced them in their original position so that it is almost impossible to tell what took place. The carpentry work and shingling on the walls was done to match the original coursing, coping to rough stone chimneys and rebuilding the coved skirt at the bottom which forms a drip outboard of the stone. Many of the windows had rotted sash members that were specified to be epoxy filled. Treeline opted lo remove the sash and take them back to their shop to make replacement custom profiled stiles, rails and muntins. The rebuilt addition with its original paneled walls and embossed paper wainscot shows no sign that any work was done.
Throughout the project they were pro-active in suggesting creative ways to do things and in identifying and solving problems. Their choice of materials was always geared toward the long term such as with stainless steel staples for the shingles.
Treeline is a professional construction organization that takes great pride in its work as witnessed by a recent punch list of but 12 very minor items which represent about four hours of labor to complete. Were it not for additional work added because there was room in the budget and the weather, they would have met the original schedule. As it was, they worked outside, miles over narrow mountain roads from the nearest hardware store, in extremely difficult weather conditions in an effort to meet the schedule.
Of the three most important elements in any construction project - budget, schedule and quality work - they earned an A+ in all categories. I highly recommend them, especially on any historic preservation project.
Gee Heckscher,
rchitect and member of WPIA
ARG Senior Associate
Don Faxon
To whom it may concern,
I am providing this letter in support of Treeline Construction for the areas of Quality of Services, Customer Satisfaction, and Overall Business Relations. The firm has provided scopes of work and bid documents for construction carpentry, masonry, concrete work and roofing repair that incorporate treatment plans for historic elements at numerous projects for Yosemite National Park, including the National Historic Landmark Ahwahnee and Wawona Hotels, among many other historic buildings and structures.
Over the past four years that I have been able to advise and monitor on projects they have undertaken here I have found them to be highly thoughtful, dependable, responsible, and adaptable to a variety of numerous projects involving field situations that require adjustments in scope and/or creative problem solving, and in situations involving even issues involving insufficient historic construction methods and structural issues they have provided recommendations that I have found superior to work originally designed by contracted architects.
In cases where significant changes in scope were required that involved change orders and additional time Treeline has always patiently adapted to those revised demands, taking on projects involving significant field decisions mid-project and conducted amongst other active contracted projects such as the Ahwahnee’s massive seismic project.
The firm has always stood behind their work and is among the easiest yet most professional to work with. I cannot think of another firm I have had the pleasure of working with on the West Coast that I would choose to work with on a highly complex and valuable historic resource than Treeline.
Sincerely,
Donald M. Faxon
Historical Architect Manager: History, Architecture and Landscapes
Branch Yosemite National Park
Randal Corral
To Whom It May Concern,
It is with confidence that I recommend Treeline Construction, Inc. as a contractor well-suited for projects requiring a high degree of care, craftsmanship, and coordination-particularly in historically significant and environmentally sensitive settings.
I have worked with Treeline on multiple efforts in Yosemite National Park, most recently the rehabilitation of the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center. Treeline has consistently delivered work of exceptional quality. Their attention to detail in both rough and finish carpentry is evident in the results, and their quality control systems are well established and effective. They understand the unique requirements of working within National Parks, including how to adapt to the challenges of remote locations and active visitor areas.
Their team is collaborative, flexible, and solution-oriented-traits that have helped keep our projects on schedule even when confronted with unforeseen conditions. Treeline frequently offers proactive alternatives that reduce additional costs without compromising quality or intent, and they submit change orders only when truly necessary. Their pricing has been fair and transparent, and their field leadership demonstrates a strong understanding of both regulatory compliance and the logistical realities of park construction.
Most importantly, Treeline brings a high level of professionalism and integrity to their work.Their ability to maintain positive relationships across project teams-including NPS staff, subcontractors, and other stakeholders-has made them a reliable and valued partner.
I would not hesitate to work with Treeline Construction again and recommend them for similar work across the National Park system.
Sincerely,
Randal Corral
Contracting Officer's Representative
National Park Service
Erin Callahan
To Whom It May Concern,
I’m pleased to recommend Treeline Construction, Inc., with whom we have worked on a wide range of repair, rehabilitation, and historic preservation projects at The Ahwahnee, The Wawona Hotel, Curry Village, and Yosemite Lodge in Yosemite National Park.
Their team continues to demonstrate exceptional professionalism, deep technical knowledge, and a clear commitment to quality in every aspect of their work. Treeline brings an impressive level of craftsmanship to every aspect of their work. Whether repairing historically significant structures or adapting to site-specific challenges, their work is consistently thoughtful, precise, and well-executed.
They approach their work with both skill and integrity, holding themselves to a high standard that’s reflected in the results. Our working relationship has been collaborative and responsive. Communication is timely and clear, and their team approaches each challenge with a solutions-oriented mindset. Even in the face of unforeseen site conditions, they remain focused on minimizing disruption and staying aligned with the original schedule wherever possible.
Importantly, Treeline only submits change orders when absolutely necessary—specifically in response to previously unknown conditions that require additional work. Their pricing is fair, transparent, and well-justified, which builds trust and keeps our projects moving smoothly.
Overall, our ongoing experience with Treeline has been overwhelmingly positive. They are adependable and skilled partner, and I confidently recommend them for projects that demand accountability, craftsmanship, and care—particularly in historically or environmentally sensitive settings.
Sincerely,
Erin Callahan
Sr. Project Manager
Yosemite Hospitality
Michael Pieper
To Whom It May Concern,
I had the pleasure of working with Treeline Construction on a recent Yosemite project to restore the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia trees, whereby Gary and his company constructed two new heavy timber and stone masonry buildings. The project is located within the Sierra mountain range where at times it can be rather treacherous mobilizing to the site each day, due to fires, rockslides, floods, snowstorms and associated road closures. So during this project Gary encountered these adverse conditions, however Gary is such a diligent person who wanted to ensure he stayed on schedule, so he decided to absorb the costs and worked out the logistics with getting his crews and subcontractor’s to work each day, even though they had to drive an extra 50-100 miles and find alternative lodging.
Gary is an extremely intelligent, fair and reasonable person who puts quality above all else and Gary is not only a very competent project manager and supervisor, but he is also a Master Carpenter, which shows thru when you see the beautiful buildings he has constructed. Gary has a very calm and levelheaded demeanor and he hires employees with similar personalities, which makes for an enjoyable work place. I have never worked around a more knowledgeable carpenter in my career and he is always willing to share this knowledge, which is evident by the performance of his employees.
Gary’s extensive experience shines thru each day he comes to work because he provides intelligent and logical answers to each question you pose and he does an outstanding job of pointing out design issues before they become a cost issue or become future operational issue. Gary also has extensive experience renovating historic structures, as well as heavy timber, log and stone masonry structures, so when it came to constructing these two facilities his performance was outstanding. He also provides workable and feasible solutions to problems that come up daily on a project of this scale. Gary is also a very accessible person to answer any inquiries that may come up from Park staff or the design team. Gary is also a great teacher who garners the utmost respect due to his knowledge, honesty and because he takes the time to listen and talk through differing design ideas or alternatives.
Finally, Gary is a very caring and considerate person, who not only understands how to construct a design, but he understands the history and technical details of the design.
Sincerely,
Michael Pieper
Contracting Officer's Representative
National Park Service
Steve Suskind
This letter is written following completion of the West Point Inn, which is back in operation at this time. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Treeline Construction staff, its subcontractors, Gee Hecksher with ARG, Marc Press with KPFF, Quintin McMahon with WPIA and the District Project Field Representative for their efforts towards successful completion of the project works.
In particular, John Amy and Gary Linowski are thanked for their diligent efforts and
determination to keep work on track throughout the project to the extent possible, while
maintaining a high degree of quality in the performance of their work. Their decisions to
keep working at several key points during construction were instrumental to project work in
progress. I understand from the District Field Representative that your subcontractors,
including Dees-Hennessy, Inc for the site work shotcrete and Blackney Flooring on the Inn
flooring completed high quality work of special mention.
I look forward to working with you and your staff on any future projects, your company successfully contracts with the District.
Steve Suskind
Senior Engineer
MMWD