Pioneer Craftsmen LLC was founded by Russell Martello on a foundation of Montana ideals and heritage. The name, Pioneer Craftsmen, stems from the roots of its definition. A pioneer is one who leads the way, ventures into unknown territory, and opens new areas of thought or development. A craftsman is an individual who has a passion for their craft and practices it with great skill. As a fifth-gene
ration Montanan, Russell has a rich family history entrenched in the early homesteaders of Montana agriculture and industry, including farming, ranching, timber, and the railroads. All four of Russell’s grandparents and their families have been here since the dawn of Montana’s statehood. Russell’s reverence for his family history and their morals and values, as well as all of Montana’s early settlers and pioneers, is seen in the quality and integrity of every Pioneer Craftsmen project. Starting with an understanding that hard work and honest sweat are the building blocks of character, there are many qualities that have been passed down from his farming and ranching forefathers that are apparent in Pioneer Craftsmen’s work today. The entrepreneurial spirit that runs deep in his blood is the collective fortitude shared by ancestors from the early years of Montana timber harvesting and sawmill operations. Russell has built the business of Pioneer Craftsmen with an ultimate adherence and homage to these characteristics that have been instilled in him from an early age. With a dedication to building homes of craftsmanship and longevity for present and future generations to enjoy and a devotion to reclaiming treasures of early pioneering trades, Pioneer Craftsmen is a team of visionary builders who are passionate about their work. With the highest level of standards, the ideals passed on through Russell’s heritage are evident in every home Pioneer Craftsmen builds. Integrity, honor, fortitude, and vision—it takes more than a hammer and a nail to build dreams.
