The Pittsburgh Tri State Chapter President is also a burgeoning podcast host.

By Nicholas Tamarin

NKBA | KBIS Pittsburgh Tri State Chapter President Eric Dillman is an interior design professional with a strong foundation in both design and sales within the kitchen and bath industry. The host of The Pro Series with Eric Dillman podcast graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and began his career as a kitchen and bath designer for a home renovation company in Pittsburgh. He later accepted a role at the corporate headquarters of a major national retail brand, where he was responsible for creating construction documents for new stores and remodels across the country—all while continuing part-time with his original kitchen and bath firm.

After three years, Eric returned to his passion for kitchen-focused design by joining a local countertop fabricator as an account manager. In 2023, he was recruited by Triax Marketing and Sales to serve as Territory Manager, covering Western Pennsylvania and Columbus, Ohio. In this role, he represents 11 leading manufacturers, including Blum, Rev-A-Shelf, Omega National Products, Tresco Lighting, Amerock, Element Designs, Northern Contours, Valley Custom Doors, Tenn-Tex, Deerwood, and Doellken. We asked him how it all happened.

What’s your background?

From as early as I can remember, I was fascinated by design and architecture. When I was 8 years old, my parents built a house, and I was completely captivated by the entire process—picking out finishes, visiting the job site, and watching everything come together. I used to sit in our living room drawing the homes being built in the neighborhood and designing houses out of LEGOs. At that point, I was convinced I wanted to be an architect.

How did you get into design? And how did you get into kitchen and bath design specifically?

When it came time to choose a college path, I toured an architecture program and had the opportunity to speak with a student who helped me realize that interior design was actually a better fit for where my passion truly was. I went on to study Interior Design at Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where I especially fell in love with residential design—particularly kitchen and bath.

I was fortunate enough to have my very first boss hire me right out of my senior portfolio show. That role launched my career in kitchen and bath design, and I’ve remained connected to the industry in some capacity ever since.

How and why did you get into the NKBA and how has it benefitted your career?

I first got involved with the NKBA in 2022 while working for a countertop fabricator. My employer encouraged me to attend the local chapter’s Design Awards event as a way to start networking within the industry. That one event really opened my eyes to the value of the NKBA community, and since then, I’ve hardly missed a single chapter gathering.

Not long after that first event, the Membership Chair invited me to join a committee helping plan a student-focused event, and from there, things progressed quickly. I went from serving on that committee to stepping into the role of Communications Chair, and I now serve as President of our local chapter.

Being part of the NKBA has been incredibly beneficial for my career. It’s given me access to a strong network of professionals, educational resources, and leadership opportunities that have helped me grow personally and professionally. It’s also given me a platform to give back to the industry that I’ve built my career in.

What’s next for you and what do you see as next for the industry? 

I’ll be continuing to grow my territory with Triax Marketing and Sales and be the best possible face for the manufacturers I represent. Building strong client relationships, staying on top of product innovations, and representing our brands with professionalism and energy is something I’m deeply committed to.

Another area I’m passionate about is growing my podcast, The Pro Series with Eric Dillman. It’s been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. I record and edit every episode myself during evenings and weekends, and what started as a side project has turned into one of the best professional tools and hobbies I could have asked for. It’s not only helped me network and build stronger relationships for my full-time role at Triax, but it’s also given my clients and industry peers a unique outlet to showcase themselves—often in ways they’ve never done before.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to interview some amazing leaders in our field like Massimo Ballucchi, Summer Kath, Tamara Day, Ward Schraeder, Paul Grothouse, and many others. The podcast has now surpassed 125,000 downloads, with nearly 200 episodes released—one every week, plus a fun bonus episode on the weekends. I truly believe in the power of storytelling in our industry, and the podcast has become a platform that connects and elevates voices from every corner of design and construction.

Looking ahead, I think the future of our industry lies in visibility and connection. Designers and brands who lean into social media, personal branding, and authentic storytelling will be the ones who stand out. The more we create space to share our work, our stories, and our expertise, the more we elevate the industry as a whole.

This designer with American Woodmark Corp. is one of just a few elite NKBA members to have earned all nine Specialty Badges.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

“I believe I am called to a life of service,” says Kendrick Williams, CKBD. “I do my best to be my best.”

That service, he says, encompasses teaching and helping others, and making the spaces and lives of his clients beautiful and functional. Whether teaching a young men’s class at his church, teaching Business Management for adult learners at Devry University, or helping elementary school kids with their “Brain Bowl” preparation, he loves to share his time and talent. “I like the person I am when I help others,” he says. “There is no better feeling than helpful service.” So, the Tulsa-OK-based designer with American Woodmark Corp. has amped up his professional development by earning all nine NKBA Specialty Badges — in addition to earning his Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer credential.

Earn a Badge Today — Learn More >

“I really wanted to continue to grow and learn. I want to be considered a resource where others could come and learn about all the different options and facets of kitchen and bath design,” said Williams, asked what inspired him to earn all the badges. “Since there was nothing technically stopping me, I figured I’d challenge myself to see if I could accomplish earning all nine badges — and it feels good to say that I accomplished that goal.”

Williams, who is one of just six NKBA members to earn all nine badges, has been in the design field for more than three decades. He started as a project architect in Orlando, FL, including stints at Jacobs Engineering, Walt Disney Imagineering, and Wyndham Vacation Ownership, working on projects ranging from supermarket, theme park and hotel renovations to managing construction of a parking garage and city government projects. He now works in Design Services for American Woodmark. He is a member of the Baltimore/Washington Chapter, since the company is headquartered in Winchester, VA, even though he works in Tulsa.

He chatted with NKBA about the significance of his accomplishment.

What do you find to be the most important benefit of the badges?

KW: The badges represent recognition of effort and study to continue to grow and learn about what kitchen and bath designers do. I often refer to the study material to help explain a choice or design strategy, or to just refresh my own knowledge. I really love how the NKBA sets its members up for success.

Which was easiest for you, which was most difficult, and why?

KW: Some badges were less challenging — in another life I was a Project Architect and Construction Project Manager — such as Cabinetry, Floor Plans & Specifications, and Remodeling. I enjoyed reviewing what I had previously been taught and how it pertains to K&B design. The more challenging badges (and some of the most fun) were Universal Design, Sustainability, Lighting, Sales & Marketing and especially Color. I absolutely loved exploring how color shapes mood and perception and how to use color to anchor design elements. It was like architecture school all over again. I thoroughly enjoyed the exercise.

Is there one badge that has helped you more than the others?

KW: That depends on the project I am working on at the time. For instance, I was tasked with compiling a PowerPoint presentation on Sustainability and sharing it with my colleagues and supervisors. For multi-unit projects, I have leaned heavily on the teachings on Universal Design to make suggestions on more thoughtful K&B layouts. I have also been able to present new color combinations incorporating different hues and textures into interesting project types, such as apartments, senior living facilities, and large single-family residences for luxury builders.

What did you learn that surprised you about the process?

KW: I was really surprised about how much fun I had learning and studying for the badges. I thought I’d just enjoy the challenge but found myself more in love with all the wonderful and insightful information. It was like I was in overload — but in a good way. Seeing the business of kitchen and bath design embedded in the study material was interesting and inspiring.

Anything else you want us to know about your journey in earning the badges?

KW: With the right amount of planning and patience, anything is possible. I appreciate the NKBA offering discounted pricing to encourage people seeking more educational opportunities; I was able to pursue all nine badges using NKBA’s offers. It served as a good reminder to not allow anything to stop you from achieving something once you set your mind to it.

•  •  •

While NKBA certification has long been recognized across the K&B world as a standard of design excellence, it is available exclusively to the designer community. Designers earn their Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer (CKBD) credential and may level up to Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer (CMKBD).

The badges were developed by NKBA and subject matter experts as a micro-credentialing program for all categories of membership — designers as well as remodelers, retailers, distributors, manufacturers, sales and marketing professionals, consultants and any other industry-related pro. The badges provide personalized learning and allow NKBA members to gain specific knowledge of a particular trade or skill.Currently, the nine NKBA Specialty Badges include Floor Plans & Specifications, Lighting, Cabinetry, Sales & Marketing, Sustainability, Remodeling, Universal Design, Color, and Appliances. The first Specialty Badge costs $199 with subsequent Badges available for $149 each. Badge packages include all study materials and testing, and NKBA periodically offers special promotions for additional member discounts. For more information about the badges, visit NKBA.org/badges.