The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the authority on the residential kitchen and bath marketplace and owners of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS), has announced the 2022 NKBA Board of Directors. These new board members will officially take their positions January 1, 2022.

2022 NKBA BOARD OFFICERS

Basil E. Larkin, Chair

Vice President of Sales, Hestan Commercial Corp., Anaheim, CA

Larkin is responsible for all sales at Hestan, a manufacturer of premium commercial restaurant equipment and residential indoor/outdoor appliances. He has been in the appliance business for most of his career, and has held key roles in sales leadership, marketing and product development. Before joining Hestan, Larkin was General Manager at BSH Home Appliances, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Lynx Professional Grills, and Vice President of Sales at Viking Range Corporation.

Randy Warner, Vice Chair

Vice President of Sales, Signature Kitchen Suite and LG Builder, Englewood Cliffs, NJ

Warner leads the sales teams for both Signature Kitchen Suite, LG’s luxury kitchen appliance division and LG Builder. Previously, he was Vice President of Sales for the Luxury Division of Samsung where he integrated the Dacor brand into the parent company. Warner began his career at Maytag, working for 15 years in sales management positions, and then he joined Electrolux, launching and overseeing the West Coast Builder Division as well as managing the national Buying Groups. Later, he was named President of Distribution of the West and Southwest for Sub-Zero.

Kristen Elder, Secretary/Treasurer

Vice President of Residential Builder & Showrooms at Ferguson Enterprises, Newport News, VA

In her role at Ferguson, Elder is responsible for showroom and builder strategy and execution. An accomplished consumer product sales and marketing leader, she joined Ferguson in 2019 as Senior Director of Appliance Business Development. Elder has worked with the business groups, in sourcing, category management, marketing and the branch network to boost sales and profitability of Ferguson’s appliance business.

2022 NKBA BOARD MEMBERS

Jan Neiges, CMKBD

Principal of Jan Neiges, Highlands Ranch, CO

Neiges is an award-winning kitchen designer and past President of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the NKBA. With 40 years of sales and 20 years of design experience, she is a frequent guest lecturer at colleges, home shows and at NKBA’s Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). Neiges advises kitchen and bath designers on marketing and selling skills, helping to shorten the lead-to-sale cycle, improve the closing ration and earn design fees before they design.

Jan Heck

President & CEO, Miele USA, Princeton, NJ

Named President and CEO of Miele USA in 2016, Heck oversees all operations of the company’s consumer and professional use appliance and floor care products, including the 10 U.S. Miele Experience Centers. His career began at Bizerba, a weighing and food processing equipment manufacturer. He joined Miele in Ontario where he became President of the Miele Ltd. Canadian subsidiary in 1999. Heck was a board member of St. Joseph’s Health Centre in Toronto where he orchestrated a $100 million fundraising campaign.

MIKAEL AKERBERG

Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, nobilia North America, Miami, FL

Akerberg, who has been CEO of nobilia North America since 2017, has over 20 years of experience as an international executive supplying products and services to the construction and remodeling market. At nobilia he has focused on building sales and expanding logistics to fulfill the demands of the retail and wholesale markets as well as the construction industry in multiple countries. Prior to joining nobilia, Akerberg held executive positions at Saint-Gobain S.A. and Jeld-Wen Inc. 

LOUIS M. ROHL

Chair and Founder, The House of ROHL, Irvine, CA

In his current position, Rohl serves as The House of ROHL’s strategic thought leader in the U.S. and is responsible for relationships with key vendors and customers. Rohl started his career nearly four decades ago, working at St. Charles Kitchens in St. Charles, IL, and at KWC Faucets in Switzerland before becoming a founding member of ROHL. He is an industry partner at the American society of Interior Designers, an Interior Design Continuing Education Credited Instructor, and a member of the executive coaching organization, Vistage International.

KEN ROBERTS

President, Delta Faucet Company, Indianapolis, IN

Promoted to President in 2018, Roberts has been with Delta Faucet Company for 22 years. Prior to his current position, he had been President of Masco Canada. Known for his ability to build teams and manage complexity, Roberts has held leadership positions at Delta in sales, international business development, manufacturing, engineering, forecasting, purchasing and logistics. He also spent three years overseas developing Delta Faucet Company’s China operations.

KEN WILLIAMS

President, Caesarstone North America, Charlotte, NC

Williams, who joined Caesarstone in 2016, specializes in building strong teams with core values of high performance, people, innovation, customer focus and credibility. Previously, he held various senior executive level positions, including Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing in Masco Corporation divisions, and general management roles at Fortune Brands, Redhill Company Ltd., and Thorn Stevenson Kellogg Management Consultants.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association:

With nearly 50,000 members in all segments of the kitchen and bath industry, the NKBA has educated and led the industry since the association’s founding in 1963. The NKBA mission is to inspire, lead and empower the kitchen and bath industry through professional certification and learning, community and events.

For more information, visit NKBA.org or call (800) 843-6522.

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The Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) announced the new KBIS Kickstarter Zone, offering new-to-market residential design and construction brands (who have not previously exhibited at KBIS) the opportunity to purchase a special introductory exhibit package. The new feature will be included on the KBB Discovery District Tour as well as featured on the floor plan and directory. It will be located in the heart of the South Hall Discovery District. The event takes place at the Orange County Convention Center from February 8 – 10, 2022 in Orlando, Fla. 

Kickstarter Zone exhibitors will receive free entry into a special KBIS Kickstarter Competition. Participating exhibitors will be invited to present to key industry leaders, outlining what makes their products unique and innovative. Winners will receive media exposure and cash prizes. A “People’s Choice Award” will allow attendees to vote for their favorite Kickstarter brand.  

“We are pleased to offer new to KBIS and new-to-the-market brands the opportunity to experience KBIS with a full package of benefits,” said Jason McGraw, Group Vice President, KBIS. “Our attendees appreciate the opportunity to discover new offerings and this program allows new brands the chance to get involved early. This is a win-win for all.” 

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The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), the authority on kitchen and bath design, trends, market and business insights, announced its first-ever Luxury Kitchen Summit to be held virtually June 23-24, 2021. The summit will feature top NKBA designers (serving the luxury market) and industry experts who will explore the meaning of luxury today, how to work with high net-worth clients, key style elements of elevated living, the path to becoming a luxury designer and much more.

“One of the most interesting trends in the last couple of years has been the shift in what luxury has come to mean, that it’s not just about how much money someone spends,” said Suzie Williford, EVP and chief strategy officer of NKBA, who will host the two-day Luxury Defined kitchen summit. “What we found in our recent luxury kitchen study is that the uber high-end clientele, the 0.1 percent if you like, equates luxury with freedom from design rules and it’s a very personalized experience that is unique and customized for their needs. You can see examples of this in our recently published book, The Luxury Kitchen, which showcases the distinctive kitchens by the designers who participated in our study.”

The conference programming will take a deep dive into the following topics, exploring the nuances of language, style, timing and approach:

• Luxury Clients: Who Are They?
• The Luxury Client/Designer Relationship Explained
• The Modern Luxury Kitchen: Designing Without Rules
• Luxury Clients: How Do They Think?
• The Role of Marketing/PR in Developing Your Niche
• Luxury — What It Is… and What It Isn’t

The NKBA and Renovation Angel established a strategic partnership in 2019 with a goal of recognizing designers and brands who support the concept of recycling and upcycling kitchen components. The 2021 awards will be presented at the close of day 1 of the NKBA Luxury Kitchen Summit.

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Photo credit: Aldeca Productions/Adobe Stock

Top from left to right: Kristen Elder, Jan Neiges, Jan Heck, Basil Larkin; Bottom from left to right: Allison Lowrie, Michael Mahan, Louis Rohl, Mikael Akerberg, Randy Warner

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has set its Board of Directors for 2021, which will be led by newly elected Chair, Michael Mahan. Mahan is vice president of Schneider Electric. He previously served as Vice Chair in 2020 and has served on the board since 2018.

Joining Mahan as Board Officers are Vice Chair Basil Larkin, vice president of sales for Hestan Commercial Corp., and secretary/treasurer Randy Warner, vice president of sales at the Luxury Division for Samsung-Dacor.

Outgoing Board Chair, Allison Lowrie, Chief Marketing Officer for ANGI Homeservices, will remain on the Board as a director. She is joined by other returning Board members Kristen Elder, Showroom & Builder Vice President, Ferguson Enterprises; Jan Heck, President & CEO, Miele USA, and Jan Neiges, CMKBD, Principal, Jan Neiges CMKBD LLC. New directors joining the board include, Louis M. “Lou” Rohl, Founder of House of ROHL, and son of HoR Founder and Kitchen & Bath Hall of Famer Ken Rohl, who also served on the board, and Mikael Akerberg, CEO of nobilia North America.

Board members Lorenzo Marquez, Founder and President of Marqet Group, and Steve Joseph, Founder and CEO of Smart Home Products, have completed their terms. The NKBA thanks them for their service. The new board will assume their roles on Jan. 1, 2021.

The NKBA has also named its leadership committees. These include:

Leadership Recruitment Committee:
Amy Hornby, Director, Key Accounts, Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) and CEDIA Expo; Bryant Haas, OEM Sales Manager, Rev-a–Shelf, LLC; Steve Petock, Senior Vice President, Business Development, Ferguson Enterprises; Katie Brockman, Vice President, Corporate Sales, Sandow, and Kerrie Kelly, Principal & Creative Director, Kerrie Kelly Design Lab.

Chapter Leadership Committee
Toni Sabatino, CMKBD, Owner & Principal Designer, Toni Sabatino Style; Molly Switzer, AKBD, Owner & Principal Designer, Molly N. Switzer Designs LLC; Nancy Young, CKBD, Owner & Principal Designer, Nancy Young Designs; Antonette Copeland, Design Director, CR Home LLC and Ellen Lopez, CKD, Founder & Creative Director, EL Design Studio.

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The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), held its second-annual NKBA Global Connect Business Summit, Sept. 9 and 10, 2020. Originally scheduled to take place in London, the summit was broadcast virtually to international attendees — from Germany to Guatemala — over two afternoons. The NKBA Global Connect Summit has become a key element in connecting the international kitchen and bath market, bringing brands and information together to develop successful, omni-directional business strategies to grow the kitchen and bath industry worldwide.

“While I would have liked nothing more than to host our second-annual NKBA Global Connect Business Summit in London this past week, I’m pleased that so many of our friends and colleagues were able to join us for our first virtual summit,” said Suzie Williford, EVP and chief strategy officer of NKBA. “The opportunity to share critical insights and information — especially during this extraordinary time — is very important to us and our industry. We invest a tremendous amount of time, talent and financial resources to stay on top of all that’s happening in and around residential kitchens and baths. Sharing that knowledge, as well as connecting the marketplace, is very rewarding.”

The Program — Day 1

Market Outlook, KBMI, Geographic and Demographic Trends and Lifestyle/Life Stage Research
Bill Darcy, CEO of NKBA, and Todd Tomalak, VP and principal at John Burns Real Estate Consulting, took a deep dive into the 2020 remodeling market with a focus on the kitchen and bath sector. Despite the impact of the coronavirus, the residential remodeling sector — especially kitchen and bath spaces — are projected to be “white hot” strong this fall. Of the $130 billion expected in 2020 K&B sales, 46 percent, or just more than $60 billion is attributable to kitchens with the remaining 54 percent, or about $70 billion coming from bathroom expenditures.

North America is a Big Place — Geographic and Demographic Overview
Chris Porter, SVP and chief demographer for John Burns Real Estate Consulting, and Steve Basten, senior manager at JBREC, shared insights about the shifts in demographic and geographic trends in North America, pointing out significant migrations from urban “A” markets like New York, Los Angeles and Chicago,  to secondary areas like the “Inland Empire in SoCal,” Santa Rosa in Northern California and Central Florida and the Panhandle. They elaborated on the regional differences of each of these markets, reinforcing the need to understand the nuances that drive product design, distribution and pricing approaches, reminding viewers that North America is very large indeed.

NKBA Lifestyle/Life Stage Research
The NKBA Lifestyle/Life Stage Study was presented by Kerrie Kelly, principal of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab and a collaborator on the study, revealing a new, forward-looking approach to gathering insights.  The study queried designers, consumers and showrooms, with an eye to understanding lifestyle shifts and attitudes regarding their homes, concentrating on kitchen and bath remodeling and design over the next three years. Four key influencing themes emerged: Simplified Living, Connected Living, Living in Place and Healthy Living. Kelly discussed each theme in detail, further identifying specific wants around each, offering insights for product development and design, as well as interior and space design.

The Program — Day 2

Go to Market Strategies — Understanding Distribution and Sales Options
Suzie Williford hosted Greg Rohl, principal of the Rohl Model, and Jason Artus, partner DoveTail Sales, for a discussion on “Go to Market” strategies, detailing the many distribution and sales scenarios one might consider when entering the North American kitchen and bath market. The pro’s and con’s of working with independent sales agents vs. company or factory representatives — as well as taking a hybrid approach, were unpacked. A review of various distribution models was also discussed, including the benefits of two-step distribution when a tiered approach to servicing a large market is necessary, as well as when it makes sense to consider a master distribution partner who can service and support large and small customers as your domestic brand agent. The panel explored the role of showrooms and their expectations from manufacturers, sales representatives and distribution partners, emphasizing the importance of building trustworthy, profitable and personal relationships, and reinforcing the need to consider multiple approaches to build a successful business in North America.

Marketing to the Kitchen and Bath Customer
DJ Carey, editorial director of Cottages & Gardens Media, and Debi Hammond, principal of Merlot Marketing, sat down with Sherry Qualls, president of White Good Marketing and PR, to discuss how to approach marketing to the kitchen and bath customer. They evaluated influencer programs, channel and showroom programs, trade shows, events and media partnerships, with an emphasis on building fully integrated programs that target key decision-makers. The panel underscored the need to understand different messaging approaches — depending on customer group — as well as determining where to target resources.

Understanding the Design Influencer
Veronika Miller, CEO of Modenus Media, moderated a discussion with Jeremy Parcels, AKBD, kitchen and bath designer at Christopher’s Kitchens; Cheminne Taylor-Smith, CEO of Cheminne.com; and Laura Mueller, owner and principal of Four Points Design Build, to define the differences between design build firms, kitchen and bath and interior designers. Speaking about their various areas of expertise, they clarified the importance of the various designer roles and how they operate, independently as well as collaboratively. They emphasized the value of understanding how to engage design professionals, including leveraging social media, events and trade shows, as well as taking the time to meet with designers, even if they are not purchasing products directly, so they can knowledgeably present products and systems with confidence. Developing a trusting relationship with design professionals will be annuity for years to come.

How to KBIS — Maximizing Participation in North America’s Largest Kitchen and Bath Show
Amy Hornby, show director of the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS); Kent Panther, VP and business development director at Wray-Ward; and Veronika Miller, CEO of Modenus Media, shared the various ways brands can learn, engage and exhibit at KBIS. For individuals who have never been to the event, a guided tour or visit hosted by show management is a great way to get an overview.  Participation in a delegation or curated group is another. For international brands, one of the best ways to experience exhibiting for the first time is to be a part of a pavilion, typically produced by one’s home country. Once a brand has had two or three opportunities to truly learn the show, exhibiting may be a logical next step. Kent, Veronika and Amy elaborated on the many opportunities to maximize presence and engagement, including sponsored and gratis packages, ensuring a strong ROI.

NKBA Global Connect Subscriptions

All participants not already NKBA Global Connect Subscribers were invited to learn more about the many benefits of participation in the program. Designed specifically to help international brands navigate the vast North American kitchen and bath market, the Subscription program provides exclusive access to advisors, proprietary NKBA market research, market insights, VIP events and programs all designed to assist in building a successful North American kitchen and bath business. NKBA Global Connect Subscription benefits and details may be found at nkba.org/globalconnect.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) has named its 2020 Board of Directors which includes are three new additions and six returning members. Allison Lowrie, chief marketing officer of ANGI Homeservices, parent of Angie’s List and Home Advisor, is the newly elected Chair. She succeeds 2019 board chair, Steve Joseph, who will remain on the board.

Additional board members include: Michael Mahan of Schneider Electric, Franklin, Tenn. as Vice Chair, Basil E. Larkin of Hestan Commercial Corp., Anaheim, Calif. as Secretary/Treasurer, Steve Joseph of Smart Home Products, Pasadena, Calif., Lorenzo Marquez of  Marqet Group, Houston and  Jan Neiges CKD of Jan Neiges LLC, Denver. New to the board for 2020 are Kristen Elder of Ferguson Enterprises, Newport News, Va., Jan Heck of Miele USA, Princeton, N.J. and Randy Warner of Dacor, City of Industry, Calif.

Board members Steve Petock, Senior Vice President of Business Development, Ferguson, and Neil Bailey, president of Cabbonet USA, and Vice Chair Emilee Chappell have completed their terms and NKBA thanks them for their service.

The new board officially assumes their new positions on Jan. 1, 2020.

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The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) announced its 2017 student design competition winners. The assignment required a remodel of a kitchen and master bathroom with the theme being “Smart Design for Active Seniors”. The homeowners of the project, King and Selina Duncan, recently downsized and moved into a single-story home. While still currently active, the couple requested an “age in place” space for the remodel. The student designers followed the principles of universal design to accommodate current and future needs of the retired couple. The design also needed to echo the surroundings of the Chattanooga, Tenn. home.

Deseray Mann, from Front Range Community College in Fort Collins, Colo., took top honors for kitchen design, and Joan Marks, from Arapahoe Community College in Littleton, Colo., won first place in the bath competition.

The Winning Kitchen Design:
A chimney-like element over the stovetop that rises to a 15-ft.-ceiling is the focal point of Mann’s kitchen design. Split-face ledger stone, a natural stacked stone that has been broken to expose a rougher surface, is used to complement the color scheme. The dining nook is at one end of the space, which is approximately 21 ft. long. The space is also complemented with white granite countertops and scalloped decorative tile.

The Winning Bath Design:
Marks was inspired by the architectural details of the landmark Veterans Bridge in Chattanooga for the master bath design. The curved ceiling details over the vanity and shower/tub areas mimic the repeating arches on the bridge, and the tile design was inspired by a garden trellis pattern on the bridge handrails. The architectural style of the bridge handrails is reflected in the Gothic mullion transom windows.

The following student designers earned runner-up honors in the 2017 competition:
Kitchen design runner up honors include 2nd Place Sarah Elizabeth Cummins and 3rd Place Jennifer Allen. Honorable Mentions include Megan Gerling and Stephany Taylor Krupke.
Bath design runner up honors include 2nd Place Hailey Kaspick and 3rd Place Brooklyn Gogowich.
Honorable Mentions include Erica Eftodie, Melissa Lamons and Natasha Chayhowski.

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As most of our readers know, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) does quite a bit to help countertop fabricators and associated builders and remodelers, but it also provides a platform to help communities in need. The latest effort of the NKBA is the establishment of a fund dedicated to helping those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

The Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief Fund will mitigate some of the damage nature has wrought in Southeast Texas and along the Gulf Coast. This storm was one of the largest to strike the area, causing up to $190 billion in damage, killing 60 people over 11 counties and displacing tens of thousands of people from their homes.

Homes were not all that was damaged, however. Businesses of all sorts, including those of several NKBA members were devastated, and to do its part in helping to rebuild, the NKBA will match up to $500,000 in donations with a total goal of raising $1 million.

According to the association, “Contributions will go directly to helping our members get their businesses, livelihoods and lives back on track. Any funds not utilized by our members will be distributed to general relief agencies to assist the broader community.”

To make a confidential contribution, all you have to do is click here to donate and fill out the form. You may also contribute by sending an email to the project leader, Julie Figiel, at [email protected].

In addition, be sure to check out some of the publications offered by the NKBA, and visit the NKBA Connect Blog for the latest news and economic indicators.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) announced its 2017 Board of Directors. The nine-person Board of Directors, who together represent a wide spectrum of the kitchen and bath industry, will work with CEO Bill Darcy to guide the NKBA through the next year.

The 2017 Board of Directors, led by NKBA Chairman, Lorenzo Marquez, vice president of marketing, Cosentino USA, includes Chris Terrill, CEO, HomeAdvisor; Mark Kovich, vice president of sales and marketing, Waypoint, a division of American Woodmark; Neil Bailey, president, Smallbone of Devizes; Emilee Chappell, director of marketing, TOTO USA Inc.; Steve Joseph, chief product officer, Side Chef; Patricia Davis Brown, CKBD, owner, Patricia Davis Brown, LLC; Young Huh, owner, Young Huh, LLC; and Steve Petock, senior vice president of business development, Ferguson.

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Earlier in the year, the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) announced that major changes had been introduced to its design certification programs. The changes were made to simplify the once-complex certification process and to raise the bar on professionalism within the kitchen & bath industries.

Certified Kitchen and Bath Designers

The changes to the NKBA certification program came about as a response to several member surveys and independent member requests for increased accessibility for candidates. The association quickly moved to research the possibilities by establishing the Certification Task Force, which was chaired by Denise Dick, owner of Signature Kitchens by Design and member of the NKBA national board of directors.

The changes to the certification process were finalized in January of this year and went into effect on July 1. One of the biggest changes is an entirely new certification than encompasses both the kitchen and bath industries: Certified Kitchen and Bath Designer (CKBD). The CKBD is earned by the successful completion of a single, consolidated exam.

The separate Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) and Certified Bath Designer (CBD) exams have been discontinued as of April 13, 2016. However, individuals who already hold CKD and CBD credentials will only have to take the portion of the exam dedicated to the certification not currently held. For instance, CKDs will only have to take the bath portion of the CKBD exam while CBDs will only have to take the kitchen portion.

Candidates may apply for CKBD certification throughout the year at more than 300 authorized testing centers in the U.S. and Canada. In addition, the drafting portion of the exam can be taken online at home or in the office within 72 hours rather than in six hours as previously required. Test results will also be made available to candidates immediately after completion.

“The NKBA recognizes the importance of maintaining professional development and design certifications, and we want to strengthen these standards and, at the same time, allow students and non-certified members better access to these training resources,” said Bill Darcy, CEO of the NKBA.

CEU Requirements

Another change is that NKBA members who earn their CKBD will now be required to complete 20 continuing education unit-hours (CEUs) in each two-year cycle to keep the certification rather than the 12 CEUs required in the past. The first of the new two-year cycles runs from July 1, 2016, to June 30, 2018.

“By requiring more rigorous CEU program requirements, the NKBA will be regarded as the gold standard in continuing industry education and will greatly increase the value of our members’ achievements,” Darcy stated.

Associate Certification Expanded

Students who attend any of the 40 college programs accredited by the NKBA will now be able to take an exam for Associate Kitchen & Bath Designer (AKBD) certification after completing 85 percent of their coursework. However, non-students will still be subject to the existing pre-requisites of two years’ experience and 30 education-hours to sit for the AKBD exam.

Complete CKBD and AKBD candidate requirements can be found on the NKBA website.