Following the recent announcement of its 2024 Board of Directors, NKBA also disclosed the members of its additional national volunteer committees – the Chapter Leadership Committee (CLC), Leadership Recruitment Committee (LRC) and KBIS Exhibitor Committee (KEC). Volunteer committee members each serve 3-year terms, with the terms commencing on January 1, 2024.

CLC Members Updates

The newest Chapter Leadership Committee members are Kimberly Kerl, Owner & Principal Designer, Kustom Home Design; and Brianna Weiler, Vice President | Interior Designer, Kitchens by Charles Weiler. They replace Ellen Lopez, CMKBD, Founder & Creative Director of El Design Studio; and Nancy Young, CKBD, Owner & President of Nancy Young Designs.

Continuing CLC members include Nichole Cooper, Showroom Director of Middleby Residential; Sandee Mann, Sales Executive of Kohler Canada;  and Julie Schuster, Principal of Julie Schuster Design Studio. 

The Chapter Leadership Committee provides a link between the grassroots of the Association, its chapters and National Staff. They are charged with monitoring member needs and requests at the chapter level and conveying these to National staff, while also being tasked with chapter engagement initiatives and other important activations. 

LRC Members Updates

The newest Leadership Recruitment Committee members are Dr. Elmar Stumpf, Owner, Conneum GmbH; and James Brodsky, CEO, Sharp Think. They replace Katie Brockman, Founder & CEO of Katie Brockman & Co.; and David Noe, General Manager of Rev-A-Shelf.

Continuing LRC members include Kevin Dexter, President Dealer at Springs Window Fashions, who was elected 2024 LRC Chair; Jason McGraw, Group VP of CEDIA Expo & KBIS, Emerald; and Basil Larkin, SVP of Sales at Hestan Commercial Corporation. 

The Leadership Recruitment Committee is charged with identifying and screening potential members for the Board of Directors (BOD) and the Chapter Leadership Committee (CLC). They meet after national elections to review all self-nominations received during the election cycle in September. 

KEC Members Updates

The newest member for the KBIS Exhibitor Committee is Nathan Boone, COO, Green Forest Cabinetry. Rolling off the KEC in 2023 was Heather Shannon, Director of Brand Marketing at Perlick and Jason Thompson, Director of Sales at WPPO Wood Fired Ovens. 

Continuing KEC members include Katie Heany, Owner of Kitchen Branding Gifts, who was elected 2024 KEC Chair; Abigail Toal, Event Coordinator at Federal Brace; Amy Switzer, Senior Marketing Communications Manager at Emtek; Jonathan Krieger, VP of Sales & Marketing at Fabuwood Cabinetry; Massimo Ballucchi, VP Kitchen & Bath Business at Cosentino North America, and Jason Fisher, Senior Director of Global Integrated Marketing at Moen & House of Rohl.

The KBIS Exhibitor Committee provides a link between the exhibitors and attendees of KBIS, and National Staff, to ensure that their needs are being appropriately monitored and evaluated. They also advise National Staff on industry trends and make recommendations for appropriate products, programs, and services to meet the needs of the exhibitors and attendees at future KBIS’s. 

NKBA again thanks Ellen Lopez, CMKBD, Nancy Young, CKBD, Katie Brockman, David Noe, Heather Shannon, and Jason Thompson for their dedication and commitment to these important committees over the last several years!

Below is a complete list of NKBA’s three national volunteer committees for 2024.

2024 Chapter Leadership Committee

Nichole Cooper
Showroom Director
Middleby Residential
Irvine, CA

Sandee Mann
Sales Executive – Western Canada Showroom
Kohler Canada
Woodbridge, ON, Canada

Julie Schuster
Principal
Julie Schuster Design Studio
New York, NY

Kimberly Kerl
Owner & Principal Designer
Kustom Home Design
Greenville, SC

Brianna Weiler
Vice President | Interior Designer 
Kitchens by Charles Weiler
Lahaska, PA

2024 Leadership Recruitment Committee

Kevin Dexter, 2024 Chair
President Dealer
Springs Window Fashions                                          
Middleton, WI

Jason McGraw, CTS, CAE
Group Vice President
CEDIA Expo and Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS)
Atlanta, GA

Basil Larkin
Senior VP of Sales
Hestan Commercial Corporation
Anaheim, CA

James Brodsky
CEO
Sharp Think
New York, NY

Dr. Elmar Stumpf
Owner
Conneum GmbH
Oberkirch, Germany

Bill Darcy, Ex-Officio
Global President & Chief Executive Officer
National Kitchen & Bath Association
Bethlehem, PA

2024 KBIS Exhibitor Committee

Katie Heany, 2024 Chair 
Owner
Kitchen Branding Gifts
St. Louis, MO

Massimo Ballucchi
VP of Kitchen & Bath Business
Cosentino North America
Miami, FL 

Jonathan Krieger
VP of Sales & Marketing
Fabuwood Cabinetry
Newark, NJ

Amy Switzer
Senior Marketing Communications Manager
Emtek
Irwindale, CA

Abigail Toal
Event Coordinator
Federal Brace
Belmont, NC 

Jason Fisher
Sr. Director of Global Integrated Marketing
Moen & House of Rohl
Olmsted, OH 

Nathan Boone
COO
Green Forest Cabinetry
Chesapeake, VA

Members from across the Sunshine State gathered at Design Edge in Orlando

Back in the Fall of 2024, our Central Florida Chapter raised enough money to get 24 members on a bus headed for High Point Market.

This road trip and Market meet up captured the NKBA Spirit Award at KBIS 2025. It’s also where Central Florida Chapter President Tom Knotts met Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer Paula Kennedy of Timeless Kitchen Design, who was hosting a tour for kitchen and bath designers interested in expanding their businesses into home furnishings. As a Design Edge Ambassador for the last four years, she brings that same story to kitchen and bath designers attending Design Edge or thinking about going to High Point Market for the first time.

Founded by Lee Hershberg, Design Edge happens twice a year–alternating locations around the country. Now in its 5th year, the event bridges furniture with the kitchen and bath industries.

80 vendors took part in Design Edge Orlando March 25-27 and over 600 registered designers attended. Tom came up with the design for Central Florida’s 20×20 booth which graced the center of the show floor. Each side of the booth represented a different room in the home while integrating nine kitchen and bath brands together with furniture. It turned out to be one of the busiest booths in the whole convention center.

Highlights from the event included two student tours and a three-course dinner reception for selected designers. The evening featured a creative “dinner party game.” During each course of the meal, brand reps at each table presented a question which inspired discussion and a fun opportunity to get to know each other.

By NKBA Staff

Company News

Miele Introduces Cold Drawers: Premium appliance giant Miele has introduced built-under refrigerator drawers. Two undercounter drawers create a flexible cooling solution with independent temperature zones, ranging from 32˚F to 57˚F, and are designed to fit within standard niche dimensions in islands or secondary prep zones. The drawers feature the brand’s proprietary DynaCool air circulation technology, which maintains uniform temperatures throughout each compartment. They are available panel-ready and fit flush with surrounding cabinetry, and the unit retails for $3,999. More detail here.

Lowe’s Expands Skilled Trades Training: The Lowe’s Foundation has committed $250 million to help train a quarter-million skilled tradespeople by 2035 through its Cable Grants program. The new goal expands its original commitment of $50 million over five years to develop 50,000 workers, announced in 2023. It has so far invested $53 million with 65 organizations, and said it is on track to help prepare 50,000 tradespeople by 2027 — a year ahead of its goal. The expansion comes as the Associated Builders and Contractors trade association estimates that 349,000 new construction workers are needed to fill demand in 2026 alone. BuilderOnline has the story.

Sarah Roberston Featured: Sarah Robertson, AKBD, owner of Studio Dearborn in Mamaroneck, N.Y., and a member of the Manhattan Chapter, is the featured guest on The Business of Home Podcast. She tells host Dennis Scully about her journey from corporate consultant to kitchen and interior designer, her continuing evolution and having her son join her business. Learn more and listen here.

Sharp’s New Lineup: Sharp Home Electronics Co. of America launched more than 20 new products in its appliance collections at KBIS 2026 in Orlando. Among the new and expanded categories are the Sharp Celerity^TM High-Speed 30-inch wall oven with True European Convection and nine cooking modes. It also expanded its Microwave Drawer ^TM line with the Deco Series in white and matte black finishes, and introduced new microwave ovens, including a 3-in-1 countertop model, counter-depth refrigerators, ranges, and dishwashers. More details here.

Chapter Updates

Competition Tips in Canada: The Ontario/Canada Chapter is hosting a free virtual event offering “Tips and Tricks for Entering the Ontario Design Competition” on April 27 from 12 noon to 1 pm. Three past winners — Diana Bastone, principal designer and owner of Diana Bastone Designs; Gelanaz Hemati, founder and principal of Gelanaz & Associates; and Martin De Sousa, design director and founder of Designström — will share insights and strategies for elevating a submission to make it stand out, what judges look for, presentation tips and how to avoid common mistakes. This virtual event is sponsored by Cambria and may be accessed here. More details here.

Pups for Heroes With Metro New York: Join the Metro New York Chapter on May 14 for an evening supporting Paws of War, an organization dedicated to helping U.S. military veterans, first responders and service members through the training and placement of service dogs. Hosted at the Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove Showroom,170 Mineola Avenue in Roslyn Heights, N.Y., the event will bring the design and building communities together for networking, connecting and giving back to those who have served the country. It takes place from 6 to 8:30 pm, and the donation is $25 for NKBA members and $50 for non-members. More info here.

Membership Drive in Pennsylvania: The Susquehanna Valley Chapter is teaming up with the Harrisburg Builders Association for Member 2 Member, a membership meet-up, on May 19, 3:30 to 5 pm, at P.J. Whelihan’s Pub, 3882 Union Deposit Road, Unit 33, in Harrisburg. This networking event is free to attend, and will share details about NKBA and HBA, bringing industry pros together to make a positive impact on the local industry and community. This Membership Drive is sponsored by Classic Rock & Manor House. RSVP to Rob Ross: rbross@classicrockfab.com.

Industry News

Remodeling Expected to Hit $522B: The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies said remodeling spending by U.S. homeowners is expected to reach $522 billion this year, despite some deceleration forecast for later in the year. The Center’s Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA) projects that year-over-year growth in home renovation and repair spending will be 2.9 percent early this year before easing to 1.6 percent growth by the end of the year. Single-family home sales and permits have picked up modestly from very low levels, which should support a nominal increase in remodeling activity this year. More detail here.

Faucet Market Flowing: Faucets are big business. According to Research and Markets, the faucet market is expected to notch sales of $2.57 billion this year and continue growing at a compound annual growth rate of 7.67 percent to reach $4.04 billion by 2032. The report said growth is being driven by a “confluence of technological maturation, sustainability imperatives, and channel reinvention. Sensor-activated technology, once limited to high-end commercial installations, now uses more cost-efficient sensors and integration approaches that make capacitive and infrared solutions viable across a broader product set. As a result, adoption patterns are expanding from institutional washrooms into residential kitchens and bathrooms, driven by heightened hygiene awareness and growing comfort with hands-free interfaces.” Learn more here.

An interactive workshop with rotating stations showcased three challenges–and plenty of opportunity–for the design community

“Interactive” was the key in our Michigan State Chapter’s event “Designing the Business Behind Design”. 

Rather than a traditional lecture format, the creative workshop at Exclusively Cabinets by Cabinetek on March 25th featured a dynamic experience where attendees rotated in small groups between three different stations.

New technology, digital visibility, and rising client expectations mean new challenges in the industry. With that in mind, the Michigan chapter’s goal for the event was to support designers, builders, and other professionals in navigating the evolution of interior design with confidence.

The interactive style created the perfect environment for open discussion, real-world examples, and Q&A. Complimentary professional headshots were also available.

“We prioritized connection just as much as content, and we gave our members the chance to engage with both experts and their peers,” said Michigan State Chapter President Rya Groat.

Each interactive station was dedicated to a critical aspect of modern design business success:

AI for Interior Designers explored how emerging technologies are reshaping workflows–from concept development to client presentations. As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into creative industries, understanding how to use it effectively can be a powerful competitive edge.

Social Media as a Business Tool shifted the focus to visibility and brand-building. In today’s digital-first landscape, social platforms are essential marketing engines. This session explained how to use them intentionally to attract clients, showcase work, and build a recognizable professional identity.

Professionalism and Client Expectations brought the conversation back to fundamentals. Clear communication, boundary-setting, and delivering a consistent client experience remain at the heart of any successful design business. This station offered practical guidance on managing relationships, building trust, and maintaining a solid reputation.

By NKBA Staff

Company News

Frank Webb Expands in Vermont: Frank Webb Home has added its ninth Vermont location in Middlebury. The company operates a wholesale division, F.W. Webb Co., and retail interactive showrooms under Frank Webb Home, with outposts in nine states in the Northeast. It encompasses all areas of plumbing distribution, HVAC, kitchen and bath fixtures, lighting and more. Frank Webb Home has a network of 48 showrooms, with other new locations including Schenectady, N.Y.; Maspeth (Queens), N.Y., and Tinton Falls, N.J. It has also recently renovated its showrooms in Pittsfield, Mass., Lewiston, Maine, and Nashua, N.H. Learn more here.

Cooper Pacific Marks 40 Years: Southern California kitchen design firm Cooper Pacific is celebrating its 40^th anniversary in business this year. Founded by Neil Cooper in Minnesota in 1986, the company remains family-owned and is now based in Los Angeles, where it is known for custom kitchens and high-end residential design. KBB has the details.

Chapter Updates

KBIS Review in Maine: Join the Maine Chapter for a presentation by Rick Spencer on the new and exciting finds at KBIS 2026 on April 14, 5 to 8 pm, at Hancock Lumber, 2385 N. Belfast Avenue in Augusta. Earn 1 CEU and enjoy appetizers and a cash bar. The cost is $25 to attend. Learn more here.

Illuminating Evening in Washington State: The Puget Sound Chapter will hold “Elevating Kitchen + Bath Remodels with Advanced Lighting Controls” on April 16, 5:30 to 8:30 pm, at the Bradlee Sub-Zero Wolf Cove showroom, 1400 Elliot Ave West in Seattle. Annie Hart from Lutron and Nathanael Washam from Luminous NW will discuss practical lighting tips, low-cost/high-impact solutions, problem-solving, and more in this 0.1 CEU session. NKBA members are $25, non-members are $35. Learn more and register here.

Two-Chapter Weekender: NKBA’s Mountain States and Big Sky Chapters are hosting a CEU weekend, April 17 and 18, at the Grand America Hotel, 555 South Main Street in Salt Lake City. This “Spring Refresh” offers multiple CEU sessions led by experts, interactive workshops, discussions, networking and more. The weekend starts at 5 pm on Friday and ends at 6 pm on Saturday. More details, the agenda and registration here.

KBIS Review in West Michigan: Earn 0.2 CEU hours with the West Michigan Chapter at its KBIS review, April 22 at Venue3Two, 3232 Shaffer Ave SE in Grand Rapids. Sponsored by Richelieu, the event runs from 5 to 8 pm and will include light bites, refreshments and raffle prizes. More than 15 vendors and representatives will explore the hottest trends and newest products launched at the show, and the chapter will announce the winners of its Student Design Contest. Learn more here.

Industry News

Home Sales Continue Slide: Following an 8.4 percent drop in existing-home sales in January from December, sales of new homes also plunged 17.6 percent in January (month over month) and were off 11.3 percent from January 2025, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Inventories now stand at a 9.7 months’ supply at the current sales rate, which is 21.3 percent above December’s supply. This signals a slowing of the home-buying market, triggered by still-elevated mortgage interest rates and consumer uncertainty. More detail here.

Millennials Drive Home Spending: A recent survey revealed that Millennials are spending more on home projects than any other generation. Angi’s 2025 State of Home Spending Report showed that while this demographic is not yet the largest group of homeowners, they are outspending all others on a per-household basis, signaling their growing influence on how Americans invest in their homes. 77 percent of Millennials said they plan to initiate a major home project in the next five years, while 74 percent said elevated mortgage rates are prompting them to improve their current home rather than move. This compares to 47 percent across all generations. Learn more here.