Colin is the owner and president of Colin Newkirk Builder, Inc., a general contracting firm that specializes in residential and commercial renovations.
As of 2025, we’ve enjoyed 11 years of his consistent dedication as a mentor and elder within our programs at Journeymen! Colin has been a lead Elder in 20 or more Rites of Passage Adventure Weekends over the years. Through his steady presence, captivating storytelling and grounded sense of enchantment, he uplifts our community while holding its center.
Colin has been both a member of our Board of Directors and Board President on multiple occasions – stepping up when needed to hold space as we grow as an organization.
Perhaps where Colin smiles the widest and shines the brightest is when he’s leading our Crafting Passages programs at Asheville Middle School; UNC Asheville’s STEAM Studio; Glassblowing workshops at the North Carolina Glass Center; as well as in other offerings designed to teach students how to build and create their visions. Colin consistently goes the extra mile to guide and support Journeymen students.
Recently, Colin ensured a student would be able to complete his Crafting Passages project by showing up for two additional one-on-one sessions after a teen had been absent.
In his recent interview for our new Rites of Passage Adventure Weekend video, he said “The work we do at Journeymen is absolutely essential to the wellbeing of humankind. This work has been lost, largely to time, and the essential nature of this work is such that if we don’t do it, we’re going to get in deeper and deeper trouble as we go along as a civilization.”
Thank you Colin for continuing to say yes to supporting our community! Thank you for your substantial efforts to give this next generation the skills and sensibility needed to thrive.
