
July 2026
Chapter Officer Update
Thank you to our Partners:

“Happy July! We hope everyone enjoyed a festive Fourth. Our Chapters are keeping the celebrations going beyond the fireworks….“
Important Dates
July 7 – Chapter Presidents monthly Zoom meeting – 4:00 PM ET
July 14 – Chapter Programs + Communications Chairs meeting – 4:00 PM ET
July 15 – Chapter Membership Chairs + Secretary-Treasurers meeting – 4:00 PM ET
July 31 – NKBA Chapter Officer self-nominations deadline – 5:00 PM ET
Chapters
NKBA’s Chapters Team is here for you – reach out to us via email or call 610-988-6035.
Kelly Buchsbaum, Director, Chapters & Professional Development
Kristin Shechter, Chapters Engagement Manager
Melissa Flynn, Chapters & Skilled Trades Manager
Elizabeth Mace, Project Manager, Chapters & Professional Development
General info, meeting notices, and roster requests:
Research
The NKBA Skilled Labor Survey officially launches on July 7th. Check your inbox for your personal link and make your voice heard!
Your insights shape the future of the kitchen and bath industry. Plus, by participating, you’ll get:
- A chance to win one of five $300 gift cards.
- Free, exclusive access to the final report.
Don’t miss out—represent your chapter and share your perspective before the deadline!
One more call for you to get on the inside track. If you haven’t already, we invite you to join the Kitchen & Bath Pro Hub, NKBA’s dedicated research community. It’s a great place to connect with peers, share insights, help shape the future of NKBA Research—and earn rewards along the way.
Webinars & Virtual Events
NKBA presents the following July Webinars, generously sponsored by Hanover Architectural Products. Webinars begin at 12:00 PM ET with 0.1 CEU per webinar.
| Tuesday, July 7 | XL Porcelain Slabs – Quality to the Core Wednesday, July 8 | Shaping the Future: The Evolution of Ceramic Manufacturing in Bathroom Design Wednesday, July 15 | Quartz, Tile, Stone, and the NKBA: Market Trends & Skilled Labor Tuesday, July 21 | Specifying Glass Tile with Confidence Wednesday, July 22 | Smart Surfaces: Design Essentials for Porcelain Countertops |
Students & Educators
We’re looking for industry experts to share their knowledge with students at NKBA’s annual Student Design Symposium. This live, 2.5-hour virtual conference is scheduled for 12 PM EST on Friday, September 25. Please email kryan@nkba.org if you have a presentation idea.
We are currently seeking Chapter Officers and other experts to deliver 20-minute breakout sessions via Zoom. The symposium is a great way to practice your public speaking skills and share information about a topic you’re passionate about! Potential topics include:
- Association involvement/networking
- Design-related careers
- Design trends
- Resume and portfolio development
- Starting your own business
- Time management
Government Relations
NKBA actively monitors legislation and public policy developments impacting the kitchen and bath industry, sharing key updates each month through our Government Relations Newsletter. A repository of newsletters, as well as additional resources to self-advocate on issues important to you, can be found on the Government Relations webpage.
Hot topics this month include:
U.S. Appliances: The Department of Energy reinterprets a 2022 Inflation Reduction Act provision and now disallows fuel-switching rebates for heat pumps, stoves and ovens. However, the rebate will be available for those who replace appliances that are already electric with other electric appliances that are more efficient.
U.S. Stone Slab Products Act: The House Judiciary Committee votes to advance House Resolution 5437, also known as the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Stone Slab Products Act, which would prohibit civil actions against a manufacturer or seller of a stone slab product for harm resulting from the alteration of such a product by a fabricator.
Interior Design Legislation:
- Connecticut: Governor Lamont signs House Bill 5222 into law which makes changes to multiple occupational licensing statutes, including removing Continuing Education Unit (CEU) requirements for registered interior designers.
- Massachusetts: State continues to discuss efforts to regulate the commercial interior design profession, with Senate Bill 3107 being the current legislation aimed at this goal and includes voluntary nature and kitchen and bath exemption language to protect NKBA members from any impacts.
We hope you benefit from the value these resources bring to you, your profession, and the kitchen & bath industry. Please reach out directly to Steven Campeau, NKBA’s Senior Manager, Global & Government Relations at scampeau@nkba.org, with any specific questions.
Professional Development
Gain CEU credits with NKBA’s Webinars. CEU reporting deadline has been extended to August 9, 2026. Please submit your CEUs before the extended deadline as it will not be extended again. Thank you! Earn and report today!
Please join NKBA in congratulating our newest NKBA CKBD and Specialty Badge earners.
Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer (CKBD):
Congratulations to our newest NKBA Certified member and kudos to their Chapter!
Christina Temple, CKBD, Southern Ohio/Kentucky; Samantha McClintic, CKBD, Columbia River
Specialty Badges:
Jeff Adragna, JWA LLC, Remodeling Floor Plans, Arizona South
Hailey Westrum, Home Depot, Cabinetry, Texas South Plains
Ashley Weber, EGStoltzfus Homes LLC, Color, Susquehanna Valley
Robert W Eager, Home Depot, Cabinetry Floor Plans, GA/SC Coastal
Nick Eschenlohr, Home Depot, Cabinetry, Southern Ohio/Kentucky
Julie Holley, Floor Plans & Specifications, West Michigan
Aaron Redente, Cabinet Joint, Cabinetry, Susquehanna Valley
Doung Ngo, AQAD Homes LLC, Cabinetry, Georgia
Kayla Herrick, Maureen’s LLC, Cabinetry, Minnesota State
Brittany Butler, B. Noelle Design, Cabinetry, LA/MS/AR
Annie Fyffe, Kitchen & Bath Gallery by Supply New England, Northern New England
Membership
Frequently Asked Questions and Member Videos for the most frequently asked questions.
New Members are vital to the success of NKBA and our Chapters. Please send prospective members to membership@nkba.org and we will send detailed information on member benefits, membership cost, certification, badges and more.
Membership Types include business, international business, industry partner, individual, and student. The definitions of each type can be found on the NKBA signup page.
NKBA Membership Signup. Please share this link. In addition, each chapter page has a “Join the NKBA” button. If anyone needs a hard copy of the application, please email info@nkba.org. There is an updated 2026 membership application with new rates.
Company admins can remove employees who are no longer with the company directly through the company profile on www.nkba.org.
To add new employees, please email info@nkba.org and our Member Relations Team will be happy to assist. We’ll need:
- First and last names
- Unique email addresses
Any employees working directly for an NKBA member company can be added at no charge—including Sales Reps who work from a home office.
If you have individuals on your roster without email addresses, please send those names to info@nkba.org as well. We’ll reach out to confirm their status with the company and, if applicable, secure an email address.
Have questions? We’re always glad to help—just reach out to info@nkba.org.
Thank you!

NKBA Chapter Relations Department Contact List
1-800-843-6522
Chapters@nkba.org
(Chapter Officer Inquiries on Responsibilities)
info@nkba.org
(Membership Inquiries)
Kelly Buchsbaum, 201-972-0182
Director, Chapters & Learning – kbuchsbaum@nkba.org
Kristin Shechter, 610-988-6035
Chapters Engagement Manager – kshechter@nkba.org
Melissa Flynn, 610-988-6046
Chapters & Skilled Trades Manager – mflynn@nkba.org
Elizabeth Mace, 610-988-6029
Project Manager, Chapters & Professional Development – emace@nkba.org
Chapter Leadership Committee – Click Here. Also located on the Resources page of the website.
Did you miss the previous issue of the Chapter Officer Update, or do you have suggestions for future issues? If so, email chapters@nkba.org .