Testimonials
"Dear Alex, Many thanks to you for participating in the 20/20 episode at the Emerging Issues Forum. The crowd, evidently, was delighted by your enterprise and creativity! "
Roland Stephen
Assistant Director for Research and Policy
Institute for Emerging Issues
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC
"Alex, I just wanted to say thanks again for your gift to our agency. Everyone in the office is admiring your beautiful handiwork this morning."
Steven R. Strom, M.Ed., MBA
Executive Director
The Arc of Wake County
"This pen is really, really, really nice! I'm glad that you sent it in the little bag, ' cause I'd hate to just throw it in my pocket or purse like I normally do! And it has just the width and balance that I like for writing. I'll definitely be ordering one for my Mom later in the year! Thanks!"
Kim Thomas
Spring, TX
"I received my pens in yesterday's mail. They are very nice! Thank you Alex!"
Colin Smith
Ontario, Canada
"Thank you soo much! I'm grateful to Alex for getting it done so quickly. It is beautiful!"
Wendy Headen
Heath, TX
"Congratulations to you, Alex and your whole family for both the idea for Pens for College and your presentation. I have a strategic marketing consultancy in Durham and a lot of our Fortune 100 clients aren’t as buttoned up and as professional as Pens for College. "
Russ Lange
Founding Partner
CMG Partners
Durham, NC
"We received the pen today with the nice letter from Alex. I know my sister will love it. You must be so proud of Alex. I just think this is a wonderful thing he is doing. I hope to order more pens in the near future. Thanks to all of you."
Mollie Schnell
Raleigh, NC
"Received the pen today. Looks great and writes beautifully. I am looking forward to many years of use. Keep up the good work."
James Butler
Raleigh, NC
"Alex, I have just finished presenting the last of the pens you made for me to the management staff at Legacy Healthcare. Each pen was equisite. My employees loved the gift. Thanks for providing an excellent product. We're all very proud of you."
Sandy Hoskins
President
Legacy Healthcare
"Alex-- I'm SO impressed by you. What a good young man! Keep up the work and you'll see it pay off BIG someday not too far away. I'm just so very impressed by what you've been able to do! Again, wonderful job and keep it up!
AJF
San Diego, CA
"Alex -- I am impressed! The pen I received is superb and I will be ordering several more for Christmas presents. Thank you so much for your talent!"
Alan Finlayson
Raleigh, NC
"Having just received the Jr. Sovereign pen, I am quite impressed with your craftsmanship. Not only is your craft beautiful, but the presentation with the little bag makes it very special. You are definitely keeping your eye on your goal – college – and what a way to build that fund. There is wonderful detail in your building of the pens and the manner with which your business is run. Thanks so much for the opportunity to assist with your college fund in such a visible way! Continue to remain focused and I believe there’s nothing you cannot achieve."
Blenda Morris
Cary, NC
"After meeting Alex and seeing his work first hand, I commissioned him to craft four pens for me from a piece of “feathered oak” that was harvested from my farm. The pens were subsequently given by me to my wife and my two brothers as Christmas presents in 2008, with one retained for myself.
Alex’s craftsmanship is exquisite, and I could not be more pleased with the result of his handiwork.
I unequivocally recommend Alex and his products to anyone desiring a uniquely hand crafted pen, as well as anybody who wishes to support a fine young man who is working towards a very worthy objective."
Scott Smith
Vice President, South Region Engineering and Operations
Nextel Communications (Retired)
"I first met Alex in 2008 and purchased 2 of his pens. I was very impressed with not only his craftsmanship but his maturity and conviction to his cause. I have since bought other pens and continue to marvel at his attention to details such as grain, fit and finish. I have always received a quality product and I also receive the satisfaction of helping an extremely forward-thinking young man achieve his life’s goal. I will most definitely be making other purchases in the future. The biggest challenge when purchasing from young Master Alex is not whether to buy, but which one to buy ! The young man does impressive work and truly cares about his craft."
Robert Webster
Youngsville NC
"Alex, Received the pen. Nice work! The depth and clarity of the finish is amazing. The cross-grain bloodwood jumps out at you. You were right in suggesting I go with the American style. Fits my hand perfectly. I love it."
Wal Forester
Merrillville, IN
"Dear Alex, Thank you so much for the wonderful pen that you sent to me. The walnut has unique grain and the way you turned it brought out the figure. I am sure that your college fund will grow quickly and I'll be pleased to recommend your work."
John F.
Fuquay Varina, NC
"I received one of your custom pens as a gift. When I showed it to several agents in our office who also own wood pens, they were amazed at the quality of workmanship and the immaculate attention to detail you display. It blew their pens away! When I told them you were only eleven years old when you made it, they were astounded.
When you graduate college, I hope you will consider the ATF as a career choice. We could use a man with a good eye for detail."
Jason Gore
Special Agent, ATF
Warsaw, IN
"I was looking for a Boss's Day gift for my supervisor. I had seen several of Alex's pens on www.ncwoodworker.net and contacted Alex. I did not know anything about what wood would look best, and Alex was quite helpful. The pen, made from morado, was stunning."
Tom Moser
Yadkinville, NC
"Dear Mr. Lesniak and Alex, Thank you for the pen. When I mailed a check and asked Alex to send me a pen of his choice, I didn't expect to get such a nice pen. I don't know if you remember the pen you sent, but it was a Governor, in Big Leaf Maple Burl. The fit and finish of this pen is such that I don't even want to use it... I'd rather just put it on the mantle with other Woodturner's pieces, so I can just show it off. I don't know what it was finished with, but you can hold it in bright light, and cannot see any tooling marks. That's more professionalism than I expected from an 11 year old. You have done well in tutoring your son in woodturning. And Alex has done well in his accomplishments. Congratulations to you both, and thanks again for such a nice pen!"
Allen Neighbors
Childress, TX.
"As a lawyer, I see a lot of nice pens on a regular basis. But each and every time I pull out my Pens for College pen, someone always asks 'where did you get that pen?' It's a standout."
Eileen Vallandingham
Chicago, IL