About Simple Integrity

Simple Integrity is a local company comprised of artisans from the Cooperstown area. Founded in 2013, it has expanded to include many talented and experienced craftsmen. The core of Simple Integrity is a team of full time partners. These Team members bring a vast amount of experience and skill to our group. Utilizing everyone’s strengths allows us to produce a high quality product.

We live in the greater Cooperstown community in which we work.  You are likely to see Team members in the grocery store, at school plays, and other civic functions. We are more than just a construction company, we are your neighbors.   We are here to provide a service and improve our community.  We at Simple Integrity take great pride in our Team and in our work.

Simple Integrity’s Team pulls from decades of experience in the field to allow us to handle all types of projects.  These include some unique niches, but are not limited to, projects that involve historical timber framing, energy efficient design and construction, custom cabinets and trim work, and structural repairs.  Simple Integrity has multiple Certified Passive House Consultants© and Certified Passive House Builders© on staff to guide our high-performance projects. Our wide combination of experience in the construction field makes this array of projects possible from within the Simple Integrity Team.

We are capable and prepared to handle all aspects of home improvement and construction, simple or elegant.  We recognize that construction projects can be stressful and disruptive; Simple Integrity makes every attempt to minimize the negative while providing you with an excellent product.  We strive to accomplish this by streamlining the construction process and minimizing the impact on your daily life.

Simple Integrity is not just a name, it reflects our core values and commitment to high quality work backed by honest and fair business practices.

mission statement

Simply put: Integrity.

Integrity in our workmanship.
Doing it well and doing it right.

Integrity in our business.
Professional, honest and clear.

Integrity in our lives.
Faith, family, community.

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THE TEAM

Jon Edgington

Jon Edgington

Jon brings over 45 years of construction expertise to Simple Integrity, having started in the field as a teenager. He holds a degree in Industrial Arts Education from Buffalo State. Jon is a master craftsman skilled in cabinet work, stairs, historical building renovation and relocation, timber framing, and modern construction. Jon has dedicated time to volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, including serving as a Site Supervisor from 2009 to 2012. His work includes relocating and restoring numerous historical buildings at the Farmers' Museum in Cooperstown, NY, and sharing his timber framing knowledge through presentations at National Timber Framing Guild conventions. Two of Jon's barn restoration projects have received the Otsego 2000 historic preservation award. Not limited to historical projects, he is also a Certified Passive House Builder. Jon and his wife, Mary, reside in Milford, where they have raised nine children. In his free time, Jon enjoys skiing, sailing, kayaking, and has a background in college wrestling.
Josh Edmonds

Josh Edmonds

Managing Partner Josh, a Cooperstown native, has always been passionate about small business, starting with dog walking and newspaper delivery in his youth. His interest in woodworking began early, leading him to attend the Windsor Institute at 14 and spending much of his free time refining his skills in a basement workshop. He gained hands-on experience working summers for Jon Edgington during high school and college, which eventually grew into a full-time career in construction. Josh studied Criminal Justice and Strategic Intelligence at Liberty University, where he met his wife, Jaime, while they were both Division 1 Track and Field athletes. After graduating and getting married, the couple moved back to Cooperstown, where Josh partnered with Jon to form Simple Integrity. As the company expanded, Josh embraced the challenges of managing new projects and took a particular interest in designing and building high-performance homes. Though his main role is now in the office, he still enjoys getting into the field to work alongside his crew whenever he can. Committed to ongoing improvement, Josh is a Certified Passive House Consultant and a Certified Passive House Builder. He has authored a number of articles in Fine HomeBuilding Magazine (https://www.finehomebuilding.com/author/josh-edmonds ) and is an active contributor to the Passive House building community. He lives in Cooperstown with his wife, Jaime, and their two sons, Asher and Zeke. In his free time, he enjoys running, working in his shop with his kids, being active in his church, and spending time with his family.
John Craig

John Craig

Project Planner and Shop Lead John is a long term member at Simple Integrity. He joined the team in 2013 and has constantly amazed us with his uncanny ability to raise craft to new levels. He earned his bachelors degree in english literature and philosophy from Lehigh University before working as a self employed carpenter in Pennsylvania and upstate New York. Settling near Cooperstown, John brings a high level of skill to Simple Integrity. He is a talented craftsman with a cheerful outlook. Earning his Certified Passive House Consultant designation in 2017, John has an exemplary understanding of building science and high performance construction. He has served as the site supervisor for Habitat for Humanity in past years. At Simple Integrity he is usually found running the cabinet shop or at the computer planning out project details. He is the master of many trades and a thoughtful individual. He resides locally with his wife Emily and two children. He enjoys most outdoor activities, especially with family and friends.
Peter Layton

Peter Layton

Peter studied business at New England College followed by architecture at Monmouth College and ended with seminary at Calvary Baptist Theological Seminary. He has over 35 years of experience working in residential construction. He spent most of his career as a self-employed carpentry contractor remodeling high end homes in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.  Peter brings an eye for detail to Simple Integrity. Years of experience have made Peter efficient and a well rounded carpenter. When he isn't honing his craft, Peter enjoys enjoys skiing, golfing and good food.
Jeremy Hoag

Jeremy Hoag

Manager of Field Operations

Jeremy coordinates and oversees all of Simple Integrity's work in the field. Jeremy is a native of the Cooperstown area. He graduated from the ONC Boces building trades program in 2007. While at ONC Boces he was a member of the National Technical Honor Society. In 2009, he graduated from SUNY Delhi Magna Cum Laude with an associate degree in Occupational Studies(Building trades program). He spent 12 years working in the construction industry, running his own company before being recruited to join Simple Integrity. He has earned his Certified Passive House Builder Certification. Jeremy brings a positive outlook and a great sense of humor to the team. He has an incredibly broad knowledge base that covers almost every trade. Outside of work he enjoys Maple sugar season, hunting, fishing, snow-shoeing, camping, woodworking, and Ford Diesel trucks. He enjoys spending time with his wife Jennifer, son Jase and daughter Lana.  He also enjoys being active in their church.

Caleb Edgington

Caleb Edgington

Caleb brings a diverse skill set and a strong work ethic to Simple Integrity. With a background in residential construction from Chattanooga, TN, he has become one of the main electricians on the team, known for his meticulous attention to detail. Beyond electrical work, Caleb is also an experienced carpenter and helps lead the mechanicals team. He has proven himself capable of handling a variety of tasks with expertise. He lives in Fly Creek with his son, Gabriel, and his fiancée, Sarah. In his free time, Caleb enjoys outdoor pursuits like rock climbing, riding motorcycles, and basking in the sun.
Devon Gurley

Devon Gurley

Devon joined Simple Integrity as a 3rd generation carpenter. He started learning carpentry at a young age from his father. He grew up in the Catskill mountains and attended Gilboa-Conesville Central School. Following high school, Devon started building houses. That took him to New York City where he was project manager for Zacco Construction. During his time with Zacco Construction, Devon managed large scale, high end apartment renovations. That experience allowed him to become proficient in a wide variety of high end finishes and techniques. He brings those strengths with him to Simple Integrity. Devon excels at finish work with mastery of technique and an eye for the work.

Connor Carey

Connor Carey

Connor brings a unique and diverse background to Simple Integrity. Originally from England, he worked in the scaffolding industry and even helped set up scaffolding for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. His impressive credentials include Scaffolding certifications, OSHA certifications, certified welder, Master Electrician, and Certified Passive House Builder. Since joining Simple Integrity in 2018, Connor has proven himself to not only being our Master Electrician, but be a versatile and talented worker, with a quick learning ability and a reputation for excelling at any task. He resides in Cooperstown with his wife, Dayle, their son, Kaiden, and their French Mastiff, Flo. Outside of work, Connor enjoys soccer, playing in an adult soccer league and also coaching, he spends many seasons coaching boys soccer. He also enjoys motorcycles, biking, boating, skiing, and working on projects at home.
Norm Farwell

Norm Farwell

Norm brings specialized experience and depth to the Simple Integrity team. He earned a Bachelors Degree in English from Cornell University and a Masters in Teaching from Binghamton University. He has taught English both in and out of the United States. Norm is a Certified Passive House Consultant, has a deep background in mechanicals and a keen interest in building science and healthy buildings. Norm has spent the last number of years specializing in energy efficient mechanical systems such as air-source heat pumps, wood and pellet boilers, mod-con gas boilers, hydronic systems, heat recovery ventilation systems, and solar hot water. Hand in hand with efficient heat systems, Norm, is an experienced dense packed cellulose installer. Not limited to mechanical systems, Norm is a seasoned carpenter with a wide range of skills. Norm lives in the area with his wife, Michele, and daughter, Maya. He enjoys being outside, cooking, gardening, and making cider in the fall.
John Turnbull

John Turnbull

John brings a wealth of experience to Simple Integrity, hailing from Yonkers, NY. After high school, he partnered with his father to run a home improvement company for 20 years, where they focused on restoring historical mansions in the Park Hill area. Known for his ability to get any job done, John’s diverse skill set is a valuable asset to the team. He lives in Morris with his wife, Jackie, and their three children, Kacie, Lindsay, and Mason. In his free time, John enjoys snowmobiling, camping, and working on building projects with his kids.
Sam Shafer

Sam Shafer

After graduating high school, Sam went straight to working for a general contractor doing remodeling work in the Cooperstown area. Transitioning to the Simple Integrity team, Sam brings experience and enthusiasm. Sam grew up on a farm in the Cooperstown area that his family has owned and operated. Growing up, Sam raised animals, worked the crops and ran equipment. Sam enjoys raising animals, sports, working out and hunting.

Jean Edmonds

Jean Edmonds

Finance Manager

Jean joined Simple Integrity in 2018 to assist with bookkeeping. Her role has expanded to cover all the back end finances for the company. She is a careful and meticulous manager of the numbers.

Jean was born and raised in Pennsylvania. She attended Bucknell University and obtained a Bachelors degree in biology. Jean moved to Cooperstown in 1988  with her husband Lee and raised 5 children here, 4 sons and a daughter. Jean was a home school teacher to her 5 children and an active member in her church. Jean enjoys cooking, hiking, birdwatching, teaching and spending time with her family.

Amos Edgington

Amos Edgington

Amos was born and raised in the Cooperstown area. After graduating high school he spent time working on large private vessels doing detailing and deck maintenance. Amos enjoys music and has assisted in custom guitar making. Before joining Simple Integrity, Amos spent 2 years working as a line cook and became a breakfast master. In his free time he enjoys biking, hiking and playing his guitar. 

Dayle Carey

Dayle Carey

Office Manager

Dayle was born and raised in England. She moved to Cooperstown in 2014 with husband, Connor and son, Kaiden. Dayle has almost 20 years experience of customer service and office based work. She has an expansive role at Simple Integrity and is a vital part of our organizational strategy.

In her free time she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. Dayle enjoys spin classes, walks with her French Mastiff Flo and summers on the lake with her boat. Dayle also enjoys traveling and exploring new places.

Ethan Shafer

Ethan Shafer

Ethan grew up on a farm in the Cooperstown area. He comes to Simple Integrity with a strong work ethic. He is cheerful and eager to work.  He has quickly mastered many different aspects of the trades and demonstrated his proficiency time and time again. Ethan's  family has owned and operated farms for 3 generations. During that time, he has learned how to operate and run machinery such as tractors and excavators. In his free time he enjoys wood carving, cooking and reading.

Anna Edgington

Anna Edgington

Anna is a native of the Cooperstown area who brings a diverse background to Simple Integrity. After finishing school, she worked at a local gym in the adventure department and spent six months doing missions work in Australia. As one of our main painters, Anna is known for her hard work, joyful outlook and collaborative spirit, excelling at any task. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, and fiancé. Her interests include soccer, rock climbing, skiing, traveling, and engaging in missions work.
Bud Zaengle

Bud Zaengle

Bud grew up in Worcester, NY, and began his career path by studying computer science at SUNY Cobleskill. His interests soon shifted towards healthcare, leading him to join Bassett Medical Center. He furthered his education at SUNY Upstate Medical University in Syracuse, specializing in radiation oncology and becoming a Certified Medical Dosimetrist. With over 35 years of experience in the medical field, Bud has worked in hospitals across New York, Wyoming, and Pennsylvania. After returning to the Cooperstown area, he rejoined Bassett before retiring in 2019. However, Bud wasn’t ready to fully step away from work and joined the Simple Integrity team in the summer of 2022, quickly becoming a valued member known for his strong work ethic.    
Sam Layton

Sam Layton

Sam, a native of Otsego County, initially joined Simple Integrity right after finishing school. After exploring other opportunities, including landscaping, he returned to the team at the end of 2022, quickly proving himself as a valuable asset who tackles tasks with efficiency and focus. Outside of work, Sam is an outdoor enthusiast who enjoys mountain biking, rock climbing, and snowboarding.    
Grant Baron

Grant Baron

Grant brings a solid background in heating and cooling to Simple Integrity, backed by a degree in HVAC from SUNY Delhi. Though he moved around growing up, he spent his high school years in Syracuse, NY. Before joining the team, Grant gained experience working as a landscaper and for a heating company, building a strong foundation in his field. Known for his versatility, he is always ready to tackle any task. In his free time, Grant enjoys visiting his family farm, spending time with his cousins, and hitting the open road on his motorcycle.    
Chris Barnett

Chris Barnett

Chris is a veteran craftsman with over 30 years of construction experience. Originally from Marshfield, Massachusetts, he served in the Marine Corps and saw combat during Operation Desert Storm. Now residing in Herkimer County, Chris enjoys life with his wife of 27 years and has four children. Known for his dedication and expertise  in many areas of the trades, he consistently demonstrates a strong work ethic and eye for detail. In his free time, Chris is an avid bowhunter and remains actively involved in his church community.    
Justin Newnham

Justin Newnham

Justin brings valuable experience in HVAC and plumbing, with a strong foundation built in Upstate New York. He is known for his versatility on the job and his ability to tackle tasks efficiently. Outside of work, Justin enjoys spending time with family, engaging in sports, and exploring the outdoors, embracing an active and well-rounded lifestyle.      
Garrett Quigley

Garrett Quigley

Garrett grew up in a military family, moving up and down the East Coast. After graduating college in 2018, he settled in the Cooperstown area the following year. With experience in the building industry since 2013, he enjoys working on outdoor projects like porches and decks. When he’s indoors, you’ll often find him with a spackle knife, whistling along to a tune. Garrett has been a valuable addition to the Simple Integrity team. Outside of work, he loves spending time in the kitchen or diving into books on history, philosophy, and theology, and he’s currently trying to learn a new language. He lives in Maryland, NY, with his wife and two kids.
   
Darren Banks

Darren Banks

Darren rejoined Simple Integrity after moving back to the area, having originally been a part of the team several years ago. Raised on a farm in Jordanville, he went on to study physics at SUNY Geneseo and meteorology at the University of Oklahoma. His diverse skill set makes him a versatile worker, with specializations in finish carpentry, framing, and electrical work. Darren is known for his strong work ethic and excels in any task that comes his way. His even demeanor and sense of humor makes him a favorite to work with. Darren resides in the Helderberg Mountains in Rensselaerville with his wife, Gayle, and their beloved animals, including dogs, pigs, rabbits, and chickens. In his free time, he enjoys hiking in the Adirondacks, woodworking, and staying fit.  
Jake Hanlon

Jake Hanlon

Jake brings a strong background in cabinetry, having grown up in the Cherry Valley area and spending his after-school hours learning woodworking in his stepfather’s cabinet shop. After graduating high school, he spent 10 years working in the local community. In his free time, Jake enjoys golfing and is currently focused on fixing up his new homestead for his growing family, recently welcoming a baby. His favorite part of the day is unwinding with his family over a friendly and competitive round of Mario Kart before bedtime.
   
Tyler Kellogg

Tyler Kellogg

Tyler grew up in Pawling, NY, where he attended Trinity Pawling School. With both parents as educators, he developed a strong work ethic alongside his two brothers. Tyler pursued higher education at the University of Virginia before starting his professional journey. He initially worked in property management but soon found his true calling in carpentry. Tyler's career began with barn building, where he honed his craft before transitioning to finish carpentry, where he now excels. Known for his craftsmanship and dedication, he brings both skill and passion to every project. Outside of work, Tyler enjoys hands-on projects in his workshop, as well as spending time in nature through hiking and fly fishing.    
Jacob Mayton

Jacob Mayton

Jacob was born and raised in Starkville, NY, where he developed a strong work ethic from a young age. He attended Owen D. Young Central School and later pursued building construction at Herkimer BOCES, graduating in 2017. Right after graduation, Jacob dove straight into the workforce, initially working on gas line projects and operating heavy machinery like backhoes, skid steers, and excavators. With over 12 years of experience in building construction and 8 years in concrete work, he's placed more than 11,000 yards of concrete. Jacob is OSHA and MSA certified, and has honed his skills by working closely with his father, building multiple pole barns and undertaking various renovation projects. Family is at the heart of Jacob's life. He's married, with a wonderful son and a daughter on the way, and is also a proud uncle to 12 nieces and nephews. He serves his community as a volunteer firefighter for Vanhornesville and enjoys a variety of outdoor activities in his free time, including hunting, fishing, camping, sitting by the fire, throwing horseshoes, playing cornhole, and watching NASCAR or football. An avid meat smoker, he takes pride in his culinary skills, especially smoking meat to perfection. Jacob is a league bowler at Route 80 Bowl and an enthusiastic concertgoer, having seen 21 artists live and counting. He enjoys meeting new people, learning from them, and constantly refining his skills. There’s a special satisfaction he gets from seeing the projects he’s completed or contributed to, which fuels his passion for his work.    

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