Owners & Founders

Jim Deurloo - Jim was born in Plainwell, Michigan on April 17, 1939. He started with Gibson Guitar Corporation in August of 1958 in rim sanding and neck sanding. From there Jim went to machine operator in the mill room and pattern maker. This was followed by a series of promotions up to general foreman of the pattern shop, and maintenance. Jim was then hired by Guild Guitars as plant manager from 1969 to 1974. He returned to Gibson Guitar Corporation as project engineer to help develop the Nashville plant including development of the production process, tooling, and purchasing of production equipment. At the same time Jim was head of engineering. He then became assistant plant manager at Gibson Guitar Corporation and then plant manager in 1978. Jim is one of the owners of Heritage and serves as pattern maker, designer, builder and does machinery carving of tops and backs. His favorite hobby is golf.

Marvin Lamb - Marv is a native of Huntsville, Alabama, born June 25, 1939, He moved to Michigan in 1955. He was hired by Gibson Guitar Corporation in May of 1956 to do hand sanding, followed by several different jobs in the wood shop. Marv then had a series of promotions including final inspection in the white wood shop to foreman of white wood, to general foreman of finishing and final assembly. In 1974 he became plant superintendent. He held that position until Gibson Guitar Corporation closed the plant on September 14, 1984. Marv is an owner of Heritage and designs instruments, makes patterns , makes necks, and has produced various finishing ideas. His favorite hobbies are hunting and fishing. 

JP Moats - Also a native of the South, JP was born in Moulton, Alabama, on February 10, 1936. He moved to Michigan in 1952 where he began working in a paper mill for 5 years. JP joined Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1957 where he worked in white wood sanding, then final cleaning. This was followed by a series of promotions including final inspector, supervisor of buffing and finishing sanding, supervisor of inspectors, head of quality control and in charge of inspecting wood before it was purchased to make a guitar. At the same time he inspected wood he was also in charge of repairs, and custom orders. In addition to being an owner of Heritage, JP gets involved in design, wood selection, rim bending, and assembly to gluing. His favorite hobby is buying, selling, and trading of guitars and cars.

Bill Paige - Born June 3, 1945 in Alpena, Michigan, Bill moved to Kalamazoo in the early 70’s. He served in the Navy and graduated in the business school from Western Michigan University in 1974. Bill joined Gibson Guitar Corporation in 1975 as a cost accountant and served in various capacities in the accounting department until the plant closed in 1984. Also an owner of Heritage, Bill is the controller of the company. He is responsible for coordination all of the functions other than guitar manufacturing. Bill’s favorite hobby is trout fishing.