SURROUND YOURSELF WITH EXPERTS
Use the best minds in the business to craft your long-term success. This year, an extraordinary number of specialists and experts are on board to address the tough issues of the day.
Sean Benetin, founder and President of Millwork & More, LLC, runs a custom cabinet and millwork company serving a high-end residential and historic restoration market in the NJ/NY metro area. He contracts with designers, builders and architects as well as other shops. Over the last 10 years he has focused on refining his business operation to run without him. Sean sits on the board of directors of Cabinet Makers Association and is the immediate past president of the CMA.
Don Bigelow has 25 years experience with CNC machinery and software sales and support. He has worked as a product specialist for Stiles and CMS, and for over ten years with Planit as a Partner Relations Manager. Don participated in the software design setup for the 2009 AWFS SMARTshop, a fully operational shop on the exhibit floor showcasing Simplicity in Automation for the Small and Medium Shops, and for the WMMA Demo Center at IWF 2008.
Marilyn Black, Ph.D., is founder of the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI), an internationally renowned third-party organization that aims to protect human health by enhancing indoor air quality and reducing people’s exposure to chemicals. With more than 25 years of experience in indoor air quality research, testing, and analysis, Dr. Black is considered a global expert on indoor air quality and its impact on human health. She holds a doctorate, master’s degree, and bachelor’s degree in chemistry and environmental health.
Zenagui Brahim has over twenty-eight years of domestic and international management experience in executive training and manufacturing. Currently Executive Director at New Hampshire Manufacturing Extension Partnership, an affiliate of the National Institute of Standards & Technology, he has trained and consulted with hundreds of manufacturers on quality management systems and process improvement. Zenagui is a recipient of the Commissioner’s Exemplary Award for his leadership role in advancing New Hampshire’s manufacturing industry.
Bob Buckley has a background in hardware, machine and design software sales and cabinet manufacturing. He is the author of True32 Flow Manufacturing, the president of True32 Corporation and the developer of the True32 Corporation Business Partner Estimating Software, the True32 Cabinet Library for KCD and the True32 Report Center. Bob also owns and operates True32Custom Cabinetry in LaVergne, Tennessee.
Chuck Carter is a Product Manager for Stiles Machinery overseeing the Kentwood line of moulders and grinders. Chuck has worked in the solid wood industry for almost 20 years with both machinery and wood component manufacturers. He retains a vast level of experience in machinery applications. He has also worked in managerial positions with companies in the flooring, moulding and door industries. Chuck strives to help the wood industry streamline setup processes and techniques to promote faster machinery setups and increased production.
Michael Cassell is the CNC Product Manager for Holz-Her U.S. Previously he worked for Okuma America, a world-leading builder of CNC machines for the metal working industry. His eleven years at Okuma America provided valuable CNC experience which he brought to his role in sales and support at Holz-Her for both the CNC Point to Point machine center and the Matrix table machine. He enjoys sharing his CNC technology experience with the wood industry.
Jacquelyn Clair, Account Executive and Social Media Strategist at Marketing Design Group, has been involved in Social Media Marketing in both the US and Europe since 2005. With a degree in International Business, Clair started her career in the United Kingdom with telecom giant, The Number UK, working in new product development for mobile and emerging technologies. As new media gained traction in the marketplace, Clair was tasked to lead a strategic review of the emerging platforms, defining a program of change for the company’s new product roadmap. At MDG she has launched and consulted on new media ventures ranging from large consumer campaigns and targeted B2B campaigns to strategies for small businesses.
Jeff Cronk is president of Lloyd’s Custom Woodwork, Inc., a residential woodworking company specializing in high-end projects in the San Francisco Bay Area and Lake Tahoe basin. The company operates on a “shop first” approach, crafting entire projects in their facility prior to installation resulting in superior quality, cleaner jobsites and shortened construction calendars. Prior to Lloyd’s, Jeff held consumer marketing positions which shaped his beliefs in motivating and inspiring individuals towards common goals—of utmost importance to a company’s culture and the continuous improvement of product, work force and abilities.
Daniel Dew is the developer of MillVision Pro software. He has been involved in the woodworking industry for over seventeen years, working with Holz-Her as an Application Engineer before moving to Weinig as Product Manager for the Dimter product line. Daniel offers a unique insight into the overall woodworking manufacturing process.
Don Evans is a training specialist with over 35 years experience in adult education. Currently a Safety Training Specialist for the State of Nevada, he teaches Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) courses to general industry. Don has degrees in Health Education and Nursing and 20 years experience as a safety specialist in the mining industry and ten as an EMT trainer. He has developed numerous courses relating to safety and health and holds OSHA instructor cards for General Industry and Construction for Mining.
Whit Faulconer is Director of LEED Technical Development for the U.S. Green Building Council. He oversees a variety of building product and material-related projects and acts as the staff representative for the Materials and Resources Technical Advisory Committee. A former residential home builder, property manager and land developer with a Masters Degree in Urban and Environmental Planning, Whit has also worked for many years as a manufacturing consultant and materials assessment specialist. He’s a skilled liaison between the architect’s office and the job site and enjoys connecting industry and sustainable design.
Joy Flack is the Area Director for the Department of Labor, OSHA in Las Vegas. She has a B.A. in Environmental Health, an M.A. in Business Administration and is a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIN). She has worked with the Department of Energy’s Hanford Nuclear Clean-Up site, the Oregon state OSHA program and has over twenty years experience with Federal OSHA.
Jake Gieschen has grown his business from doing small projects as a very young man on the family farm to a custom shop with eight employees. Jake’s Custom Woodworks, Inc. in Smithton, Missouri builds custom cabinets, countertops, mantles, built-ins and furniture. He operates on a philosophy of quality work and good customer service. By building and maintaining a strong staff, Jake is able to leave the shop to do the selling, customer meetings and installs. Jake’s company has been recognized in Wood & Wood Products’ Wood 100 three years in a row for rapid growth.
Kent Gilchrist is president of Fremont Interiors, Inc, an architectural woodworking firm for residential and commercial markets. The company produces imaginative custom work including pieces for the Indiana Governor’s Residence. Project locales stretch from Chicago and New York to D.C. and the US Virgin Islands. Kent is an active member of the Architectural Woodwork Institute’s Speakers Bureau, its board of directors and serves as chair of the AWI Skills USA Committee, overseeing its national cabinetmaking competition. He also serves on the boards of the Woodwork Career Alliance and WoodLINKS USA. He is a member of the Construction Specifications Institute and its education committee for the Indianapolis chapter.
Gary Heroux is the Vice President of Product Acceptance for Composite Panel Association.
Dan Hershberger is employed with Holz-Her US, Inc. In his 14-plus years with the company, he has held various positions within the organization. Currently he is the Distribution and Training Manager, with responsibility for the education and training of dealer salesman as well as regional sales managers. Dan also coordinates the company’s trade show participation and manages a sales territory of North and South Carolina. Prior to Holz-Her, Dan worked as a high school vocational teacher which uniquely prepared him for his role with Holz-Her US, Inc.
Rick Hill has worked in the woodworking industry for decades starting as a telemarketer selling to furniture manufacturers. He advanced to National Sales Manager for ATI Products in Greensboro, NC. For the last 20 years Rick has been an Independent Sales Rep working for and eventually owning OnPoint Sales. In 2002 Rick established WoodReps.com, a nationwide association of independent sales reps in the woodworking industry. Rick is a contributing editor and weekly blogger for the WoodworkingNetwork.com and Custom Woodworking Business magazine.
Rob Howell is the CNC Product Manager of Morbidelli, REM and SCMI, for the SCM Group North America. Rob started his career in the woodworking industry with SCM Group North America in the early 90s and has held several positions with the Group including Sales Engineer, Regional Manager and his present position. He is an active member of the WMIA and AWI, and serves on the AWFSâ Board of Directors. Rob attended Southern Illinois University where he received his BS in Management.
Karin Iwata has a deep passion for working with small business owners, having coached and trained thousands of entrepreneurs worldwide in all industries and sectors. She commands an exceptional knowledge of the concepts underlying the E-Myth Point of View and the unique challenges and opportunities business owners face. In her role as Business Leader of Seminars and Special Events for E-Myth Worldwide, Karin develops programs that ensure informative, interactive sessions targeted to sector audiences. She is a seasoned Senior Executive, Master E-Myth Coach and Seminar Leader.
Tim Killen is retired from the engineering and construction industry and devotes his full attention to his life-long interest of woodworking. His emphasis is reproducing 18th century museum pieces. In this pursuit, he utilizes a spectrum of old and new technologies which range from hand-tool operations to modern designing in 3D computer modeling. Tim teaches SketchUp, Furniture Reproduction and Finishes in the Bay Area of California. He has written articles for Woodwork and Fine Woodworking magazines and is the author of the Taunton Press e-book, Google SketchUp Guide for Woodworkers. He is also a contributing author to Fine Woodworking’s “Design. Click. Build” blog.
Jeff Klein is the owner and creator of Closet Specialist, a company specializing in the design, fabrication and installation of custom closets and storage systems. Jeff has also worked as a residential custom home builder and taught energy efficient home building courses in the Savannah area. Jeff is a founding member of both the National Closet Group and the Association for Closet & Storage Professionals (ACSP). He currently serves as the President of ACSP and Chairman of the ACSP Standards Committee.
Joe Knobbe began his woodworking career in the 70s apprenticing under a master cabinet maker. After becoming a journeyman he grew through the ranks to become Senior Project Manager for Exclusive Woodworking, a large residential architectural woodworking firm. He has helped keep the company on the cutting edge of technology and been instrumental in helping broaden its reach in the design community. Joe has served on the Cabinet Makers Association Board of Directors and in 2010 was elected President. He has helped shaped the formation of the new Certified Cabinet Maker education track.
Carol Lamkins, Principal of Design Vision, is a nationally known Certified Master in Kitchen & Bath Design. She has held leadership positions in ASID, NKBA, CLCID and AAFCS, and been an annual recipient of the NKBA Merit Award since 1989. With exceptional knowledge of universal design, Carol was chosen to design a master bathroom for a quadriplegic man and his wife in the HGTV Designer’s Challenge, illustrating how universal design can be both attractive and functional. Her work has been published in Designed in Orange County: A Collection of Southern California’s Finest Designers.
Greg Larson is the owner of the New England School of Architectural Woodworking (NESAW) in Easthampton, MA. His lifelong love of woodworking began in high school. Although he initially worked as a computer engineer after college, he continued to hone his woodworking skills by building custom furniture and cabinetry and taking training programs at the Heartwood School, the Center for Furniture Craftsmanship and NESAW. Following his high tech manufacturing career, Greg worked as a cabinetmaker in a custom cabinet shop in Massachusetts before joining NESAW as an instructor and eventually becoming owner.
Philip Lowe is the founder of the Furniture Institute of Massachusetts where he teaches, and a past-faculty member of the North Bennett Street School in Boston. Since 1985 he has operated a furniture making and conservation shop producing work for the private sector and museums throughout North America. He instructs at various schools and organizations in the U.S. and Canada. In 2005 Phil received the Cartouche Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Society of American Period Furniture Makers, and in 2010 the Bullfinch Award for Artisanship from the Institute of Classical Architecture & Classical America. He is the author of many articles, videos and webcasts for Fine Woodworking magazine and finewoodworking.com.
Shawn Maberry is the President and CEO of Roger Shaw & Associates, Inc., the largest independent software and technology distribution company in North America. He has over 20 years of experience in the woodworking industry and is a strong supporter of education. Via Roger Shaw & Associates’ relationship as global distributor for Microvellum Software, they have donated in excess of $8,000,000 in software to educational facilities to date.
Cesare Magnani is the Biesse Brand Sales Manager and an electronic engineer with eighteen years experience in the woodworking industry. He has been working for Biesse since 1994, first in the factory as Custom Unit Project Manager, then as Product Manager. He came to Biesse America in 1998 and has been serving the American customer base since.
Amy Mangold is a graduate of the Illinois Institute of Technology and a licensed architect and LEED AP in the State of Illinois. She began her career at Solomon Cordwell Buenz working on high-rise residential projects; then moved to Michael Hersenson Architects to explore smaller scale, relationship-focused residential work. She is currently the Senior Associate for Cohen & Hacker, the preeminent residential firm on Chicago’s North shore, focusing on complex renovations of historical homes.
Rich Meyer is the Business Growth Services Leader for The Indiana Manufacturing Extension Partnership. He assists businesses to grow through developing new products, services and marketing messages. His clients have included companies in industries as diverse as automotive component manufacturing, stationery and greeting cards and not-for-profit workforce development. He has helped companies with revenues as small as $1 million and as large as $2 billion to grow their sales. Rich has an MBA from Anderson University and is certified as a Eureka! Profit Coach through the Eureka! Ranch.
Brad Miller is Director of Communications and Government Affairs for the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association (BIFMA) International where he coordinates the organization’s advocacy activities and sustainability initiatives. Before joining he worked for U.S. Senator Donald W. Riegle for ten years and U.S. House of Representatives Member Donald J. Albosta for six years. He began his government service in 1977 as an aide to members of the Michigan State Legislature and is a graduate of Central Michigan University with a degree in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts.
Jeff Miller has owned his custom furniture studio in Chicago, J. Miller Handcrafted Furniture, for the last 27 years. His work has been included in museum and juried shows nationally, winning numerous awards. He teaches woodworking and design both at the school he founded in Chicago and around the country. Jeff is the author of Chairmaking and Design, Beds, and Children’s Furniture, and co-author of Storage Projects for All Around the House and Furniture for All Around the House. He is a frequent contributor to Fine Woodworking magazine and finewoodworking.com. Jeff has designed over 35 chairs in the last three decades.
Patrick Molzahn, originally trained as an architect, discovered his love for building while spending his college summers working as a carpenter. After college, he started a business specializing in architectural millwork and custom furniture. Since 2000, Patrick has been director of the Cabinetmaking & Millwork Program at Madison Area Technical College. He is a founding board member of the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America, and currently serves as Vice-President of WoodLINKS USA. In 2008, Patrick received the distinguished WMIA “Educator of the Year” award. His writings have appeared in numerous publications, including Woodshop News, Fine Homebuilding, and Wood Digest.
Scott Nelson began his career as a draftsman, and then moved into positions of estimator and project manager with Hoppe Mfg. Co., where he was promoted to Executive Vice President. In 1984 he purchased the Architectural Woodwork Division of the company and renamed it Central Plains Millwork, Inc. Scott has been an active AWI member for over 25 years, serving as Treasurer and President at the chapter and national levels, and instrumental in shaping education programs for the organization and delivering instructional seminars and workshops. Scott is the current President of the Woodwork Career Alliance, overseeing the development of an industry-wide set of skill standards.
Tim Northup is a 19-year finance professional with experience in both Fortune 500 and middle market companies. He spent 15 of those years as the Controller, Director of International Audit and Director of Finance for UPS, and the last four years with Stiles as Corporate Controller. Tim holds an MBA from Western Michigan University and is a member of the Institute for Management Accountants. He is on the advisory board for Proformative.com, an online resource for finance professionals.
John Park has over 27 years experience in the woodworking industry. For twenty two of those years he held the position of General Manager for Delmac Machinery Group. He has recently been named Vice President of Industiral Sales for SCM Group North America. John attended NC State University where he received his BS in Wood Science Engineering and his Masters from Georgia Tech University. He has served on the board of the WMIA and is active in many industry associations.
Michael Pekovich is the art director at Fine Woodworking magazine as well as an avid woodworker. Mike studied furniture making at Long Beach State University in California and graphic design at Platt College. In addition to overseeing the layout of the magazine, Mike is in charge of photo instruction for the editorial staff. He has photographed over 35 covers for Fine Woodworking and authored dozens of articles including one on photographing furniture based on the techniques used by the magazine.
Martin Powell is the Northeast US Territory Manager for Global Finishing Solutions, with experience in the concept and design of spray booths, finishing systems, air handling systems, ovens, conveyors and other related equipment. Working in the industry since 1982, he began his career in the service department working on installation and startups. Marty is well-versed in wood finishing, metal finishing, powder coatings and complete finishing system design. He is a member of Chemical Coaters Association International, Powder Coating Institute and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.
Mike Serwa grew up in the family business of two start up tooling companies– both still in successful operation today– involved with every aspect of the cutting tool manufacturing business. In college he trained in engineering and sales and returned that strength to the business. Since 1988 he has been working directly with woodworking companies specifying cutting tools. Mike has written articles and given technical seminars at trade events and technical colleges. He has completed training courses in AutoCAD and Solid Works as well as numerous machine specific softwares and a Leadership Excellence (G2) training course.
Craig Sexton, owner of SNX Technologies, has been educating customers for over 20 years on how to streamline their organizations with the latest machine and software solutions. Craig worked with Komo, one of the largest Domestic suppliers of CNC Routers and Software for 15 years and Biesse, one of the largest European suppliers of woodworking machinery for over 8 years. He is an articulate instructor whose goals and objectives throughout his career have centered around teaching shops how to be competitive by being technically advanced.
Don Shultz is the CEO of PremierGarage. Prior to taking the helm, Don served as a consultant for PremierGarage leading its Operational Excellence Strategic Planning Team. Throughout his career Don has served as a strategic business advisor to the wood industry. Spanning 30 years experience in both the manufacturing and distribution sectors, Don is known for guiding companies to achieve competitive fitness through strategy development, product design, manufacturing, information management, engineering automation, distribution and organizational design and development. He has worked extensively in architectural woodwork, casework and furniture manufacturing, both in North America and Europe.
Art Sipple is the Safety Consultation & Training Section Supervisor for the State of Nevada. Art has worked as a safety specialist doing on-site consultations; as an industrial hygienist; as an environmental protection specialist for Pennsylvania’s water pollution control agency; and with the U.S. Dept. of Labor, OSHA, as a compliance officer. He has broad non-government experience in construction, business ownership and training which greatly enhances his understanding and effectiveness with clients.
Phil Stevenson has been active in the wood finishing industry since 1980 and is the President of the American Wood Finishing Institute (AWFI). He has owned finishing operations and worked for a major manufacturer handling process training and new product development. In recent years his focus has been on training in coatings as well as evaluation and R&D of cutting-edge technologies. Phil is the lead finishing process instructor at AWFI. He leads corporate training programs and is a consultant on wood finishing in the U.S. and abroad.
Brian Stowell is the president of Crown Point Cabinetry in New Hampshire. He got his start in construction and then entered the family cabinetmaking business, ultimately reinventing the company through a team-based Lean manufacturing approach and the introduction of a national direct sales program which sells their cabinetry to custom builders, architects, designers and end users. He operates a 100,000 square foot facility employing close to ninety employees.
Brian Swanson is Director of Operations and Enterprise Excellence at NACS, Inc., a rapidly growing manufacturer of custom machinery and automation. Prior to working for NACS, he held a similar position for Lexington Manufacturing Inc. Brian has spent the last eighteen years working in manufacturing and process improvement and has been training peers for the last nine years. In 2009, Brian received a perfect score from all attendees for his Lean Simulation workshop.
Rick Thaler has grown his company from $2 to 8.5 million through automation and lean manufacturing. His career has given him experience in residential and commercial work, and in modernizing and automating shops. Since purchasing his own company, he has strategically invested in machinery and focused on building a quality organization using Lean as his development tool. He uses the Theory of Constraints for purchasing decisions—determining how it will elevate the production system as a whole, not merely local improvement.
Leland Thomasett opened Taghkanic Woodworking in 1989, serving a broad region of New York and Connecticut and partnering with M. Benko Construction on many extensive projects. In 2007 he invested in a fully automated CNC machine increasing the quality and versatility of his line. Leland studied at the Wendell Castle School in Scottsville, New York, working for Bedford Woodworks and participating in gallery shows at Ten Arrow Street Gallery in Cambridge, MA, The Fendrick Gallery in Georgetown, DC and various other shows. Leland started his company in a 400 square foot space and has grown it to a 4500 foot space.
Kevin Ward is the president of A. Ward Design in Florida. He has been in the woodworking, construction and electrical industries for the past 32 years. Kevin was featured in Woodshop News as the “Automation Man,” on the cover of CWB and honored by Southern Living for his work in the 2009 Southern Living Cottages of the Year. Kevin’s company has appeared in the Wood & Wood Products magazine’s Wood 100 for the past three years. He is a regular speaker for the Cabinet Makers Association regional events.
Davis M. Woodruff is a Professional Engineer and is a Certified Management Consultant — the highest earned accreditation in the profession and a designation held by fewer than 1% of consultants world-wide. The certification process is ISO 17024 approved. After holding an executive position with 3M, leading the team that produced the first home video films in the U.S. and assisting with a plant start-up in Europe, Davis formed the management consulting company, Management Methods. He is a recognized expert in showing companies how to be the low cost, high quality, environmentally responsible leaders in their industry. Davis is the author of Taking Care of the Basics: 101 Success Factors for Managers, and Numbers to People: Making the Leap from Technical Expert to Successful Leader; as well as DVDs, e-books, and eight online professional development courses.
Rob Ziegelmeier is a veteran of the architectural woodworking community and related industries. He is currently the Northeast Sales Representative for Fetzer Architectural Woodwork. Rob is a past president of AWI and now serves as their Sustainability Resource Representative. He has established FSC Chain of custody certification for companies and has delivered numerous presentations on LEED, Wood Doors & Wood Paneling as well as written articles for industry.
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