Meet the Gilayo® Team

The Gilayo® Team is built with expertise in a variety of complementary industries and skillsets. They come together with a passion to revolutionize the construction industry while providing global support through nonprofit initiatives and disaster relief. Meet our team below!

Our Mission

Gilayo® Plates are purchased for $100 each on this website and ALL profits go directly to charitable youth programs across the world through our Regional Representatives…More information can be found at www.oliveshed.org for our various global programs.

Please help us in our mission to provide a major upgrade in affordable housing for 75% of the world’s population with solutions that are eco-friendly, immediately available anywhere in the world, provide a seismic shift in both major and minor disaster relief, prevents hundreds of millions of trees from being cut down and instead, a ground swell of everyday individual buildings, without a contractor, a virtually indestructible steel shell living structures that will survive almost any disaster, wind load, snow load, poor soil conditions and even in difficult locations to access.

All the profits provide a smaller version the commercial Gilayo® units called the “Triple 8 DRP“ - (8x8x8) which also serves as our individual family mobile disaster relief pods (DRP). Our mission is to not only help provide a safer world but to also help today’s youth to turn off the video screens…take a walk in the woods, dig some holes, pull a tape to use 3x4x5 method of finding a true 90* corner, establish lifetime interpersonal relationships, construct something that serves endless benefits, that will be there for the rest of their lives and probably beyond and learn a valuable lesson in understanding of how working together, with innovative, eco-friendly solutions can change the path of humanity forever.

J. Steve Collom

J. Steve Collom, a licensed architect in California since 1981, has been designing spaces that inspire and serve communities for over four decades. A graduate of the Architectural Program at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1977, Steve specializes in custom home design but has an extensive portfolio that spans residential, commercial, manufacturing facilities, churches, gas stations, and assisted living spaces.

In the mid-1990s, Steve became a pioneer in light gauge residential steel framing, blending innovation with practicality. His commitment to community extends beyond architecture; he has participated in disaster relief efforts, helping rebuild homes in Dulac, Louisiana, after Hurricane Katrina and constructing housing for a church in Saint Thomas following the Haiti earthquake.

Outside of his architectural achievements, Steve is an accomplished musician. As a drummer, singer, and music director, he has contributed to his Methodist church’s music ministry for over 16 years and has played in a praise band since 1990. Most recently, he has performed with the Sacramento Women’s Chorus, bringing rhythm and heart to their performances.



Married since 1974, Steve’s personal and professional life reflects his dedication to building—whether it's homes, communities, or connections through music.

Gary Grandfield

Gary graduated from St. Lawrence University and pursued finance during the first part of his career, working in commercial lending, private equity and investment banking.

Consequently, he has a deep grasp of a variety of industries with particular expertise in structuring investments and mergers & acquisitions.

In 2014, he founded Grindstone Steel, Inc., specializing in structural steel for residential construction with a primary market in the greater Lake Tahoe region.

In his free time, you can find Gary hunting turkeys and doves, or working on his ranch, being trailed by his three Maine Coon cat/dogs.

Mike Hodkin

Michael Hodkin is the co-founder and Operations Manager of Mega Mikes Adventure Products, where he combines a lifelong passion for the outdoors with cutting-edge innovation.

A dedicated adventurer and overlander, Michael channels his expertise into creating high-quality, practical gear designed to inspire exploration and enable independence in the wild. His signature innovation, the patented Hydro3 potable water system for off-road vehicles, reflects his deep understanding of adventure needs and sustainable design.

Michael's journey began with a family legacy rooted in pumps and water systems, which he integrated with his love for exploration to start Mega Mikes Adventure Products in 2018. What began as a garage project while working full-time has since grown into a thriving fabrication shop in Auburn, CA, where he specializes in designing custom adventure products and advancing off-grid sustainability initiatives.

A skilled fabricator and welder, Michael’s professional experience includes designing racks, sliders, and pull-out kitchens, as well as fabricating off-road accessories and pump systems. He also holds a Class B Commercial Driver’s License with air brake and tanker endorsements, showcasing his technical expertise and versatility.

Michael’s mission is to inspire adventure while championing environmental stewardship, combining innovative design with uncompromising quality. Beyond his work, Michael is proud to contribute to the Gilayo Foundation, using his skills to support philanthropic efforts.

When he's not fabricating or designing, Michael can be found exploring the great outdoors with his son, engaging in hunting, hiking, overlanding, and testing adventure gear in the backcountry. His goal is to expand Mega Mikes Adventure Products internationally, collaborating with retailers, influencers, and overlanding organizations to share his passion with adventurers worldwide.

Claudia Loens

Claudia Loens is an accomplished entrepreneur, digital marketing strategist, published author, and certified life coach. With a Bachelor of Arts in Management, Claudia has built a career centered around helping individuals and businesses succeed in the digital world.

As the founder of Wordflirt®, Claudia started her journey as a hobby, writing business blogs, articles, and bios for clients. She transitioned to part-time social media work in 2008 and grew Wordflirt® into a full-service digital marketing agency.

Today, Claudia offers a range of services, including web design, LinkedIn lead generation, email marketing, content creation, and marketing strategy. Her work focuses on bringing clients’ visions to life with beautiful websites and effective digital marketing campaigns.

Claudia’s career includes 20 years as a high-tech recruiting consultant in Silicon Valley, where she hired engineers, tech leaders, and IT professionals for major companies like Yahoo!, Logitech, Intuit, McAfee, and National Semiconductor. Her experience in the tech industry has given her a unique understanding of the needs and challenges businesses face in the fast-paced digital world.

A published author, Claudia has published three books on Amazon. She is also the recipient of several awards, including VIP Woman of the Year from the National Association of Professional Women, an Entrepreneur Award, Business Leadership recognition, and the Internet Marketing Best of San Jose award. She has also been recognized as one of the Top Digital Marketing Agencies and received the Local Excellence Award for the Sacramento Area.

In addition to her marketing expertise, Claudia is a certified life coach specializing in happiness, group coaching, mindset, goal setting, and the Law of Attraction. She is also an EFT Practitioner and offers virtual and in-person coaching to help individuals achieve their personal and professional goals.

On a personal note, Claudia is married to Eddie and is the mother of four adult daughters and one lazy cat named Sylvester. She loves to entertain and cook—food is her love language—and is an avid 49ers football fan. When she's not working, you can find her at the beach, swimming, reading, or writing.

John Mayo

John L. Mayo, born and raised in Maine…attended a speech by JFK at 7 years old, started designing module home concepts at 10, became the youngest major municipal director in state history at 16 when accepting the role of Parks Director for Falmouth Maine. He played fourth trumpet in the high school band, witnessed the horrific ending of the Vietnam war at 18, worked three jobs to put himself through high school and earned a Civil Engineering degree from the University of Maine.

In 1980, John arrived in San Francisco in debt and began his steel career with McLean Steel, Inc. Over the years, he built some of the largest malls in 20 states, from New York to Hawaii, and responded to the 1992 Kauai hurricane, helping coordinate disaster relief. John also built over 2500 buildings during the rapid development of Silicon Valley in California.

In 1993, John founded JD2 Innovative Steel Solutions and created Mayo Ranch, a charitable event center. He has spent decades in the Cutting Horse and Cattle industry and grew JD2 to become one of the largest full-service steel companies in the U.S.

In 1997, John introduced and patented the Special Truss Moment Frame (STMF) system, which revolutionized steel construction. The system is now used in over 200 structures, including major sports stadiums, office buildings, and Amazon Fulfillment Centers.

John shared the prestigious 1999 Nova Award—considered the Nobel Prize of construction—with Gilbert A. Petersen for his work on the STMF system. The award recognized his significant contribution to the industry, which has touched millions of square feet of construction nationwide.

John also re-designed, fabricated, and erected the steel system for Solyndra at the demand of President Obama, working erection teams on 24/7 shifts for six months to meet the needs of the project only to expose itself as a complete failure the next year. He collaborated with world-renowned architects, including Renzo Piano on the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Frank Gehry on Facebook Headquarters, and Disney Imagination for Club 33, and several Star Wars projects, including the spaceships in California and Florida. He also worked with Universal Studios to create innovative framing systems for massive clear spans in studios used by productions like The Voice.

John's career highlights also include designing and patenting the first fully automated four-story parking structure at Helm’s Bakery in Culver City, CA, which houses 350 automated vehicles with no human inside.

Throughout his career, John has been passionate about giving back and has started multiple charitable foundations, including the Tony Laraby Foundation, which supports continuing education and family disaster relief programs. These initiatives have helped hundreds of employees and their families deal with emergency situations and provide continuing education opportunities.

In 2022, John transferred ownership of JD2, Inc. to its employees through an ESOP program. John concluded his career from which he was involved with the design, collaboration, fabrication, and erection of over 5000 large steel structures worldwide, including more than 100 million square feet of warehouse space across the nation.

After retirement, John also started six more companies and three nonprofit charitable foundations. These include Ninos de Cabo HeadStart in 2023, which provides school supplies to needy children in Mexico, and The Olive Shed, launched in 2022 to provide charitable donations globally.

John is also a firm believer in the philosophy of Frank Lloyd Wright, advocating that structures should never rise higher than the mountains around them.

John's proudest accomplishments are his two daughters: Alyssa, who has developed ground-breaking equine training methods focusing on a "Training the Team" method for any level horseperson and any breed of horse. Alyssa also continues to provide hydrotherapy to horses and dogs while providing involvement in the agriculture community. And Delaney, who is part of his team and helping to drive change. John's business motto is “Don’t quit, lose, and find your own BHAG”. and his life secret is captured by the quote, "UVA UVAM VIVENDO VARIA FIT" (Larry McMurtry). His favorite advice comes from his father: “Leave everything better than you found it.” John’s favorite music includes young Springsteen and Ocean Alley (we landed on the right stone at the RIGHT time!!)

Laney Mayo

Delaney Mayo is a Humboldt State University alumni with a degree in Business Marketing, specializing in small business entrepreneurship and sustainability.

Alongside this marketing role, Delaney has been running a successful photography business for over ten years and actively contributes to Humboldt County’s agricultural community, providing organic grown and harvested food to over 500 local families each week.

Combining a strong foundation in marketing with a deep commitment to sustainability, Delaney is dedicated to creating impactful, positive change both locally and globally.

Gil Petersen

Gil Petersen was born in the small rural mountain town of Glenwood Springs, Colorado and graduated from Utah State University with a Civil and Environmental Engineering degree.

He came to California with his young family in 1982 to pursue a career in structural engineering. He was licensed as a Professional Engineer in 1984 and a California Structural Engineer in 1986 while working for various consulting engineering firms in Sacramento, California. 

Much of his consulting career was focused on the seismic retrofit and remodel of structural building systems. While working at the consulting firm of Cole Yee Schubert in 1997, he was introduced to John Mayo and his application of the Special Truss Moment Frame (STMF).

In 1999 Gil and John Mayo were recognized with the Nova Award for their work on the commercial development of the Special Truss Moment Frame.

In 2000, Gil left consulting to provide Structural Engineering design services for JD2, Inc, in Auburn California. Joining efforts with John Mayo, they were able to continue to develop the STMF system and engage in other innovative projects and several patents.

In retirement, Gil continues to enjoy all things outdoors including hiking and camping, as well as family history. He is married to Carlene Petersen and they are the parents of three children and the happily busy grandparents to seven grandchildren.

Zach Poiesz

Zach Poiesz is a lifetime resident of Placer County and a retired California Law Enforcement Agency, where he dedicated 28 years of service to the community. He began his career with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office as a volunteer Search and Rescue member for the first five years.

In 1998, Zach was hired full-time, where he worked in various roles including Court Security, Corrections, Patrol, SWAT, Field Training Officer, Narcotics Detective (spending seven years working undercover), and Problem-Oriented Policing.

Promoted to Sergeant in 2015, Zach was assigned to both Corrections and Patrol. During his patrol tenure, he contributed to the Peer Support team, Social Media team, Mobile Command Unit, and served as the Critical Incident Command team leader.

In the final years of his career, Zach was a sergeant on the COVID-19 critical incident command team, before retiring in 2021.

After his retirement, Zach joined John Mayo, Mayoranch.com, The Olive Shed, and Gilayo®. 

Outside of work, Zach is a devoted husband and father to three adult daughters and a proud grandfather to a three-year-old granddaughter. An avid outdoorsman, he has recently focused on off-grid property development, where he designs and builds off-grid cabins.

Chelsea Ralls

Chelsea Ralls was born and raised in rural Montana and after receiving her B.A. in Biology and Mastery of Apiary Studies, she spent 9 years in corporate banking until she transitioned over to governmental accounting.

In 2020 when COVID hit, she decided to attend flight school where she achieved her private pilot's license for rotorcraft (helicopters) and began homesteading on her property. Here you can find her tending to her bees, working her hydroponic gardens, and preparing freeze dried meals and products.

Summers are spent flying into the backcountry to enjoy all that northern Montana and Idaho has to offer from hiking, camping, fishing and enjoying all that nature has to offer.

Travis Rudolph

With extensive experience in operations, management, and logistics, Travis brings a solutions-driven approach to every role. Since 2021, he has served as the Director of Golf at Darkhorse Golf Club, where he has successfully overseen large-scale tournaments, managed company finances, and streamlined inventory processes to enhance overall efficiency. His expertise in customer relations, sales, and event coordination has strengthened his ability to navigate complex challenges with ease.

Prior to his current role, Travis honed his skills across diverse industries, including automotive sales, ski resort operations, landscaping, and tree services. These experiences refined his ability to multitask, manage inventory, and optimize operations, building a well-rounded foundation of expertise that aligns seamlessly with his current responsibilities.

At Gilayo, Travis applies his background in logistics and operations to streamline the shipping and logistics of steel plates for ADU units and emergency shelters. By developing cost-effective and reliable shipping solutions, he ensures operational efficiency and contributes to the company’s mission of innovation and sustainability.

Travis is passionate about finding practical, impactful solutions that drive success and efficiency, whether managing tournaments, optimizing inventory, or advancing the logistics operations at Gilayo.

Ken Smith

Ken Smith is a seasoned steel industry professional with over two decades of experience in sales and business development.

A graduate of Oklahoma State University, Ken began his career in 1999 in Florida, quickly establishing himself as a knowledgeable and trusted expert in the field. His career path led him to Arizona, where he successfully opened a sales office, and later to California, expanding his expertise and network in the industry.

Now based in Western North Carolina, Ken continues to excel in steel sales while enjoying life with his wife and daughter. Outside of work, he is dedicated to his family, has a passion for golf, and loves deep-sea fishing.

Rick Sugg

Rick Sugg married his wife, Kim, in September 1986. They have two children, three grandchildren, and one more on the way. After spending years balancing family life with work, Rick decided to go back to school and earned his B.S. in Business in 2016, with one child in college and the other in high school at the time.

With 25 years of experience in steel sales, manufacturing, fabrication, erection, and construction, Rick brings a wealth of knowledge to the industry.

When he’s not working, Rick enjoys spending time with his family, hitting the golf course, or maybe (not) being found in a hunting blind with bow in hand.