Matthew has always enjoyed building and fabricating new things. After spending 7 years in the U.S. military, he returned home to Tennessee to embark on his next adventure: becoming an entrepreneur. In 2015, Matt opened APE Built with the goal of creating impressive, large-scale projects. Combining his passion for fabrication, motorsports, and the outdoors, Matt has fully dedicated himself to APE Built's success.

Chase Smagacz is from Cookeville, TN, and has had a lifelong interest for the outdoors and motorsports.  Since joining APE Built in 2019,  His expertise in fabrication and off-roading has made him a core member of the team. Known for his belief in the superiority of Toyotas for off-roading, Chase's extensive knowledge in this area is hard to dispute.

Glen brings over 40 years of off-roading experience to Ape, from racing motocross and sand railing in his youth to snow wheeling on the West Coast and tackling trails like the Rubicon, Fordyce, and Moab. As a Marine veteran who served on the front lines in Iraq, he learned to adapt and overcome challenging situations. These skills he applies daily at APE. Glen’s attention to detail is evident in every vehicle he works on. With 15+ years running his own RV business in California, he values exceptional customer service and going the extra mile.

Luke is one of our newest team members. A longtime Cookeville resident, he studied mechanical engineering and computer science at Tennessee Tech. After working in the auto parts industry for two years, selling parts and gaining valuable experience, he decided to join APE Built. Now, he just needs to find himself a rig for the trails.

Christine Belcher manages the administrative tasks and paperwork at APE Built. Originally from Hawaii, she met her husband, Matthew, during his time in the Navy. Christine’s attention to detail and organizational skills ensure that everything at APE Built runs smoothly.

Ian is our shop wizard, having spent his life in the Cookeville area and worked in nearly every welding and machine shop nearby. He started welding at a very young age and has experience with every type of metal. Ian is our go-to expert for the most unique and challenging fabrication jobs that require a special touch.

Dale has spent his life in the upper Cumberland area, working in management. With his extensive background in the restaurant industry, he has mastered inventory, supply, efficiency, and operational flow. Dale is a valuable asset to the APE team, playing a crucial role in operational and workflow decisions.