PRO Cabinet Maker

In episode 26, guest host Gregory Paolini, founder of Gregory Paolini Design and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association (CMA), sits down with Gary Balcom, president of Atlanta Cabinet Shop Inc. in Buford, Georgia, to explore his journey from hobbyist to industry leader. Balcom reflects on learning woodworking as a teenager in Western New York, inspired by his father and PBS icons like Norm Abram and Roy Underhill, and how an early silhouette business sparked his entrepreneurial mindset. He traces his path from Niagara Falls to a high-end conference table shop in Vermont, and eventually to Georgia, where he now leads a commercial millwork operation focused on panel processing for spaces like medical and dental offices. The conversation dives into the balance between high-tech manufacturing and traditional craftsmanship, with Balcom leveraging CNC-driven equipment at scale while maintaining a personal passion for hand-tool woodworking. He also shares how lean principles and Kanban systems support continuous improvement in a high-volume, data-driven environment, and why hiring for attitude, attention to detail, and aptitude often outweighs prior experience. They also highlight the value of the Cabinet Makers Association as a trusted network for collaboration, learning, and problem-solving within the industry. PRO Cabinet Maker is produced by Association Briefings.

In Episode 24, guest host Amy Thrasher-Price, owner of D&H Quality Cabinets and CMA board member, sits down with Rachel Cervos, founder of Cervos Kitchen Academy, to explore her decade-long journey in the cabinet and kitchen design industry. Rachel shares her experiences across stone importing, fabrication, installation, and sales, and how those roles inspired her to create Cervos Kitchen Academy—an interactive online training platform designed to fill a critical educational gap in the industry. Together, they discuss what it means to build a career as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, highlighting the power of education, collaboration, and resilience. Rachel also reflects on the strong sense of community within the Cabinet Makers Association and her vision for empowering more women to enter, grow, and lead in the trades. PRO Cabinet Maker is produced by Association Briefings.

In Episode 22, guest host Amy Thrasher-Price, owner of D&H Quality Cabinets and CMA board member, talks with Connor Allen, manager of software and process at Boxwood Cabinetry in Oklahoma City. Connor shares the story of his family’s business, founded by his father in 1993, and how multiple family members play a role in its success. He dives into Boxwood’s unique operations, and how automation, bots, and data analytics are transforming their workflow. From his career shift in software development to leading process innovation at Boxwood, Connor reflects on balancing tradition with tech and the value of CMA membership in shaping the future of cabinetry. PRO Cabinet Maker is produced by Association Briefings.

In episode 20, Gregory Paolini, founder of Gregory Paolini Design and secretary of the Cabinet Makers Association (CMA), takes over as host to chat with fellow board member Jason Norvell, owner of Norvell Inc. in Slidell, Louisiana. Jason shares the journey of his family-owned shop, founded in 1978, and how implementing a CNC router transformed efficiency. They discuss the value of CMA membership, best practices for employee management, navigating market challenges, and the role of SOPs in ensuring consistency. Whether you're a seasoned CMA member or exploring the organization, this episode is packed with insights to enhance cabinet shop operations and business growth. PRO Cabinet Maker is produced by Association Briefings.

In episode 18, we give the hosting reins to Randy Niewind, president of Randy's Cabinets and Woodworks and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. He chats with Samuel Oprea, CEO of the Kitchen & Bath Design Group in Atlanta, GA. Samuel shares his inspiring journey, from his family's move from Romania to the U.S. to launching a small cabinet shop in 1996 that grew to 80,000 square feet before the 2008 recession. He discusses the critical role of automation and robotic systems, the impact of having a showroom for client education, and the advantages of outsourcing wood doors. Samuel also highlights the value of industry collaboration and education through the Cabinet Makers Association. PRO Cabinet Maker is produced by Association Briefings.

In the season 2 premiere, James Fox, owner and president of Fox Woodworking at Darkhorse Woodworks in Phoenixville, PA, takes the hosting helm. He engages in a lively discussion with Jenny Rhead, Project and Marketing Manager at Designs of Distinction by Brownwood Incorporated in Chicago. Together, they delve into the recent success of the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) held in Las Vegas, exploring its appeal to the woodworking industry, uncovering the latest trends in kitchen and bath design, and pondering the future of KBIS. PRO Cabinet Maker is produced by Association Briefings.

In episode 14, we give the hosting reins to Lois Snyder, founder, designer and leader of Periwinklers, and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. She chats with Marc Sanderson, president of Wilkie Sanderson, one of the most profitable millwork companies in the U.S. The two talk about the current workforce issues and strategically thinking about recruitment and retention, creating an employee value proposition, and differentiating yourself from your competition. Sanderson also provides an 8-point problem solving rubric and explains how to apply that rubric to millennials in the workforce.

In episode 12, we give the hosting reins to Gregory Paolini, founder of Gregory Paolini Design and secretary of the board for the Cabinet Makers Association. He chats with Andy Wilzoch, president and founder of Premier EuroCase, about growing a business, building relationships, finding a niche market, investing in technology, and successfully managing the business. PRO Cabinet Maker is produced by Association Briefings.

In episode 10, we give the hosting reins to Terry Steffey, owner of Dibbleville Woodworks in Fenton, MI, and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. He chats with Marcus Waterworth, president of Waterworth Woodshop in Viking, MN. The two talk about Marcus’ career path in woodworking and entrepreneurship, finding and hiring the right people, marketing your business for growth, and his shop’s future plans. PRO Cabinet Maker is produced by Association Briefings.

The mission of the Cabinet Makers Association is to uphold the highest level of professionalism in the industry by providing its members with networking opportunities, continuing education, and ongoing professional development. In episode 8, we talk to four CMA members with a variety of experience and expertise about the value of membership. Each brings a unique perspective on how the CMA has shaped them both professionally and personally, favorite memories, the importance of mentorship within the organization, and what aspects of membership are most valuable. A special thanks to this episode's guests: Ken Kumph, Premier Builders; Amy Thrasher Price, D&H Quality Cabinets; Jim Falk, Progressive Wood Works; and Jeff Langford, Outlaw Woodworks. This episode is produced by Association Briefings.

In episode 6, we give the hosting reins to Monika Soos, Chief "Fun" Officer for Sofo Kitchens and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. She chats with Dominic Rubino, industry business coach, about time management, creating efficiencies in your shop, maintaining discipline, focusing on a vision for your business, and staying consistent.

In episode 4, we give the hosting reins to Lois Snyder, founder, designer and leader of Periwinklers, and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. She chats with Paul Downs, president of Paul Downs Cabinetmakers and speaker at CMA's National Conference, about developing a company culture, why it's important, and the challenges of hiring the right people for your shop's culture. Show notes Paul Downs started making custom furniture in 1986, after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a degree in engineering. Mr. Downs has only one line on his résumé, but he has a wide variety of skills gained in 30 years of running his business. His clients range from individuals and small businesses to Fortune 500 companies, all branches of the military, and domestic and foreign governments. His company employs 20 superb craftsmen, producing all of their work in a 35,000 square foot shop in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania.Mr. Downs is also an accomplished author. He started his writing career in The New York Times’ “You’re The Boss” blog, and is the author of “Boss Life: Surviving My Own Small Business”, published in 2015 by Blue Rider Press. He currently blogs on Forbes.comMr. Downs is an experienced public speaker. He has given educational presentations at the AWFS show in Las Vegas, at the Cabinets & Closets convention, and gave the keynote address at the Cabinetmakers Association convention in 2018. He has also entertained audiences in numerous talks about his life, his books, and his work. This episode is produced by Association Briefings.

In this episode, we give the hosting reins to Matt Wehner, co-owner of Cabinet Concepts by Design in Springfield, MO, and board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. He chats with Tim Coleman of SCE Unlimited about year-end financials and focusing on your shop's magic number. Show notes Tim Coleman founded his Closet Organization company in 1988 and ran his business for nearly 30 years. He sold his successful company in 2017 and was asked by that buyer to stay on to run the closet division, which he did for 3 years. In October of 2020 Tim was delighted to take the helm of SCE Unlimited in the Chicagoland area, which is owned by Installed Building Products, a publicly traded $2.5 billion company. SCE offers both Wire & Solid Systems from melamine to veneered wood, Shower Doors & Mirrors, and Bathroom hardware. Tim has run the business gamut from being a one-man shop to working with a team of over 50 employees. He was a Hunter Douglas Blinds, Shades, and Shutter dealer for 14 years and works with homeowners, custom builders, commercial developments, and retirement living centers. Tim believes that sharing knowledge and consistently seeking to learn new information is the only way people evolve and grow, and he endeavors daily to do both. This podcast is produced by Association Briefings.