October 2025 Chapter Officer Update – NKBA

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October 2025

Chapter Officer Update

Thank you to our Partners:

“Happy Kitchen & Bath Month! It’s time to celebrate and nominate the brightest and best in our industry through NKBA Chapter Star Awards and recognize our rising stars in the K&B industry, our Thirty Under 30.“

View Full Message from National →

Important Dates

October 1 – Chapter Star Awards nominations open

October 14 – Presidents’ monthly call – 4 PM ET

October 15 – Kitchen & Bath Hall of Fame deadline

October 21 – Programs Chair monthly call – 3 PM ET

October 21 – Communications Chair monthly call – 4 PM ET

October 22 – Membership Chair monthly call – 3 PM ET

October 22 – Secretary/Treasurer monthly call – 4 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 & Learning

kbuchsbaum@nkba.org 

Kristin Shechter, Chapter Engagement Manager

kshechter@nkba.org 

Melissa Flynn, Chapters & Skilled Trades Manager

mflynn@nkba.org

Elizabeth Mace, Chapters & Learning Specialist

emace@nkba.org

General info, meeting notices, and roster requests:

chapters@nkba.org

Research

Stay in the know with the latest Kitchen & Bath industry trends and upcoming research releases from NKBA.

Don’t miss out—check your inbox and complete the Q3 2025 NKBA/JBREC Kitchen & Bath Market Index Survey. As an industry leader, your input is vital. The survey closes soon (in just a day or two), and you’ll also be entered to win $250.

In case you missed it: You can still check out the 2026 NKBA Kitchen Design Trends Summit if you weren’t able to attend – https://nkba.org/video/summits/2026-kitchen-trends/

Reminder: Join the Kitchen & Bath Pro Hub! If you are not yet a member of NKBA’s Kitchen & Bath Hub, you should be! Connect with peers, access exclusive research, and earn rewards – all for free!

Marketing

NKBA presents the following six October Webinars with registration links below. Webinars begin at 12:00 PM ET with 0.1 CEU per webinar.

October 7 | The Secret to Getting Clients to Trust You
October 14 | Understanding the Fundamentals of Lighting Design
October 21 | From Trends to Trust: Building a Rock Solid Brand
October 22 | Building Sustainability at Every Step
October 28 | Brilliantly Simple: A Cheat Sheet
October 29 | Reimagining the Outdoor Kitchen

Students & Educators

Know an outstanding educator who’s making a difference in the kitchen and bath industry? Nominate them for the 2025 NKBA Educator of the Year award! Help us recognize the passion and dedication that shape the next generation of professionals.Nominations are open now through November 7, 2025: click here to nominate an educator.

Your support helped us shine a spotlight on education and made our student and educator members feel truly celebrated.

Registrations for our marquee event—the Student Design Symposium—exceeded expectations, and we’re so grateful for your help spreading the word within your chapters.

A special thank-you goes to NKBA Chapter Officers Andrew Risinger, CMKBD, Texas North Plains; Dean Camastro, Metro New York; Anneke Huisman, West Michigan; and Stacy McCarthy, CMKBD, South Florida, for presenting impactful breakout sessions during the symposium. Special thanks also go to Sharon J. Washington, CKBD, for serving as host. A former chairperson and dedicated supporter of the Student Design Symposium, Sharon has played an important role in its continued success through the Northern California Chapter, where the event originated. Many thanks to additional presenters, including Alena Capra, CMKBD, Cerissa LaToi McKinnis, Staci Munic, and Reece Speer.

Governance

Recognizing Visionaries Who Shape the Future of Kitchen & Bath

Each year, the kitchen and bath industry proudly seeks to honor those rare individuals whose extraordinary achievements have made a lasting impact on the kitchen and bath industry. Through induction into the prestigious Kitchen & Bath Industry Hall of Fame, we celebrate professionals whose vision, innovation, and leadership have not only advanced the industry—but transformed it.

These individuals stand apart through:

  • The creation or implementation of groundbreaking products or processes,
  • Influential writings or dedicated mentorship of future industry leaders, and/or
  • Unwavering leadership and recognition as trusted authorities within the field.

While our industry is filled with highly accomplished, talented, and generous professionals, Hall of Fame honorees represent the pinnacle of excellence—those who have forever changed the landscape of kitchen and bath design, manufacturing, education, and advocacy.

Nominees must demonstrate significant, enduring contributions that have elevated the industry on a national or global scale.As we look to the future, we continue to be inspired by those who lead with innovation, passion, and purpose. We invite you to help us recognize these exceptional leaders and celebrate the legacy they’ve built for generations to come. Nominations close October 15. Click here for more information.

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.

Hot topics this month include:

U.S. Skilled Labor: The Department of Labor released the America’s Talent Strategy: Equipping American Workers for the Golden Age which outlines the federal government’s approach to workforce development.

U.S Building Electrification: Natural gas bans, building electrification, and housing affordability – oh my! Review current legislation and laws on these intertwined industry topics here.

Colorado: Governor Polis signed House Bill 1161 into law requiring warning labels on gas stoves that must include a link or QR code to a state health department website about the health risks associated with gas stoves as industry groups push back against this new law.

Nebraska:  Legislative Bill 169, which would eliminate certain sales and use tax exemptions and impose sales and use tax on certain services, including interior design and decorating services, has failed due to adjournment but carries over for consideration into the 2026 session.

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, for any specific questions.

Professional Development

Voices from the Industry (VFTI) is a valuable opportunity for learning and professional development, offering a wide range of educational sessions led by industry experts during KBIS. We encourage all members to visit the VFTI landing page at kbis.com to view the upcoming conference schedule and access the registration link. Chapter officers receive free VFTI access throughout KBIS, and members can take advantage of discounted rates by registering early—before prices increase in January. Please help promote VFTI registration within your chapter so members don’t miss out on this enriching experience and chance to earn CEUs.

Gain CEU credits in October via Webinars on nkba.org. Reporting deadline is June 2026 – earn and report today!

CONGRATULATIONS to our newest NKBA Certified and Specialty Badge earners and your Chapters! 

CKBD / CMKBD

Congratulations to Claire Wiland, CKBD. Claire is a member of the Indiana State Chapter.

SPECIALTY BADGES

Robin Decoteau, Kitchen & Bath Gallery by Supply New England, Cabinetry, Sales & Marketing, Appliance, Floor Plans & Specifications, Lighting, Color, Sustainability, Universal Design, Northern New England

Gail Henning, Cabinetworks Group, Appliance, Minnesota State

Julie Boynton, Hay Runner, Cabinetry, Maine

Ashley Schrubbe, Kohler Company, Universal Design, Wisconsin/Upper Michigan

Amy Lockard, Clark Young Creations, Floor Plans & Specifications, Georgia

Crystal Hackl, Eagle & Vine Interiors, Appliance Universal Design Sustainability, Big Sky

Ryan Shafer, Fairfield Custom Kitchens LLC, Lighting, Pittsburgh Tri-State

Patrick Conrad, Conrad Construction LLC, Remodeling, Columbia River

Nicholas Luca, Home Depot, Color Remodeling Lighting, Northern New England

Melinda White, Restorations Unlimited of Maine, Remodeling, Maine

Eric Anderson, DreamMaker Bath and Kitchen of East Georgia, Color, GA/SC Coastal

Dena Maynor, Appliance Color, North Florida, Student

Julie Boynton, Hay Runner, Floor Plans & Specifications, Maine

Monica Craigmyle, Neil Kelly Co, Color, Columbia River

Bethany Broussard, Crystal Remodeling, Lighting, Columbia River

Member
Relations

Frequently Asked Questions and Member Videos for those most 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.

Please reach out to our Member Relations team at membership@nkba.org with any NKBA membership structure questions.

NKBA Membership Signup. Please share this link. If anyone needs a hard copy of the application, please email info@nkba.org. There is an updated 2025 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’s Member Relations team is always available to assist our Members and Chapters. Contact them at 1-800-843-6522 or email info@nkba.org.