People


Alain Olivier

President & Founder

When Alain Olivier purchased a circa 1930s residence on the "gold coast" of New York's Long Island, he unknowingly inspired his new business. A longtime classical architecture buff and native New Yorker, two of Mr. Olivier's favorite features of his new home were a bronze lantern and decorative entry grill. Historic papers related to the house revealed that an early-20th-century master blacksmith, Samuel Yellin, created the fixtures. Realizing he couldn't be alone in his appreciation of such beautiful and lasting artistry, Mr. Olivier decided to pursue re-enlivening the storied craft.

He left for Europe, visiting relatives in Vienna, and located talented artisans undertaking ironwork restoration and commissions in the Moravian region of the Czech Republic. He stayed in the area for almost two years, enjoying the artisan community, learning about metalwork, and investigating area resources and craftsmen. In 2001, Mr. Olivier founded Gold Coast Metal Works with 10 employees and a fully equipped factory ready to design, produce and install fine metalwork anywhere in the world. A decade later GCM now has two dozen craftsmen, engineers and designers.

Mr. Olivier returned to New York where he oversees his business. Prior to starting his company, he worked in a joint venture with Rockwell International in Izmir, Turkey, and, before that, was a commodities broker in New York. He has an MBA in Finance from the Stephen M. Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan and a Bachelors of Arts degree in Modern European History from the University of Chicago.


Petr Pavlík

Engineering Manager

Petr Pavlik has been with Gold Coast Metal Works since its origin, managing all aspects of engineering, design and administration.

He has more than 25 years experience in the machine tool industry, including 14 years with Hurco and IR Torrington in the Czech Republic and U.S. A native of Prerov, Dr. Pavlik earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with highest honors from the CVUT - Czech Technical University in Prague.

He is an avid hunter and, along with his wife, enjoys the Central European Ballroom dancing tradition. He is fluent in English and Russian, and the father of a teenage son.


Jan Smetana

Production Manager and Master Blacksmith

With his mastery of restoration work and deep knowledge of the time-honored techniques of classical blacksmithing, Jan Smetana earned the distinction of being one of the youngest master blacksmiths in the Czech Republic.

He joined Gold Coast Metal Works when it was established in 2001. Prior to that, Mr. Smetana worked on new commissions and restoration projects in Italy, Belgium, California and the Czech Republic. He began his career as an apprentice blacksmith 30 years ago while attending secondary school in his hometown of Olomouc.

Married with two children, Mr. Smetana is an avid outdoorsman and has hiked across national parks on several continents. He is fluent in English.