Coggins, who died in 2023, was a pillar of NKBA, particularly in the Arizona Chapter.
By NKBA Staff
Induction into the Kitchen & Bath Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors the NKBA bestows on industry luminaries. Since 1989, the Kitchen & Bath Industry Hall of Fame has honored nearly 100 individuals who have contributed to the growth and professionalism of the Association and the overall kitchen and bath industry. This year, one person has earned that distinction.
Ric Coggins, a true gentleman and a pillar in the NKBA community, specifically in the Arizona Chapter, is the 2026 K&B Hall of Fame inductee.
Sadly, Coggins died in January 2023 — at KBIS, just before the show opened — while he was setting up for an event, even though technically, he was retired. He was a selfless volunteer, a remarkable professional, and an even better man. His kitchen and bath résumé spanned five decades and reflected his dedication to the Association, his business, and the people he worked with.
Ric was a Chapter volunteer and officer, and a National Leader who held multiple posts, actively serving NKBA since 2004. He is still considered one of the greatest contributors to the Arizona Chapter, where he served as President in 2009 and 2010, among other roles.
At the National level, he served on the Manufacturers Council and, in 2014, was elected to NKBA’s Executive Committee as National Vice President. These roles require significant time and dedication, and that’s on top of the demands of running a thriving business.
Throughout the course of his nearly 50-year career, he was involved in multiple aspects of the kitchen, bath, and home industry, including design, sales, and marketing. He owned a high-end kitchen appliance center in Irvine, California, and, for the last two decades of his career, worked in sales for international appliance manufacturer BSH on regional, national, and international assignments. His dedication to Bosch, especially, was evident throughout his career, and he helped build the brand’s reputation in the U.S.
After retiring, Ric remained very active in the Arizona Chapter, where he served as a consultant and continued to strengthen the members of the Chapter by sharing his wisdom and knowledge.
One of his nominators captured the essence of Ric with this wonderful story of a moment that came when he was on the NKBA Executive Committee. It speaks to his character, leadership, and giving nature.
After a long day of strategic meetings, a group of younger chapter leaders lingered with questions about how to engage members and build stronger programs. Rather than heading off to dinner with his peers, Ric pulled chairs into a circle and spent hours coaching these emerging leaders one-on-one. He asked about their goals, offered practical advice from his decades of experience, and followed up with each of them weeks later to check on their progress.
That was Ric’s hallmark: He treated everyone, from new chapter volunteers to national board members, with the same respect and generosity of time. His peers recall that he never sought recognition — he simply wanted others to succeed. This mentoring moment was repeated countless times, whether in hallways at KBIS, on calls with Arizona Chapter leaders, or in his own community. Ric’s legacy is not only in his professional achievements, but also in the many professionals whose careers and confidence were shaped because he paused to listen, guide, and encourage.
HoF inductees are selected by a standing program committee through member nominations. Visit the Kitchen & Bath Hall of Fame to see all the honorees and watch for nominations to open later this year.
