We began, as we always do, by listening.

Our team travelled to Don’s home for a series of in-person interviews. These weren’t formal sessions. They were conversations: slow, respectful, generous.

Don spoke about growing up in Stewart, about raising a family, about his years in the mining business. He recalled the founding of Northair, the early days of the Brandywine mine, the tenacity it took to keep a company afloat. And in each story, his values came through: tenacity, optimism, and a deep commitment to mentoring the next generation.

From these interviews, we shaped a manuscript that reflected the man behind the legend.

The tone was plainspoken. The pacing unhurried. The structure followed a life, not a résumé.

Design choices echoed that simplicity. We used archival photos, maps, and company records to illustrate key milestones, and kept the layout clean and classic. The result felt personal, but never private. Professional, but never promotional.

It was a book for Don’s children and grandchildren, but also for the community of miners and builders who had travelled a similar path.