NKBA Educators

Darrill Andries, CKD
Darrill Andries , CKD has over 15 years in the Kitchen & Bath Industry. He holds a B/A in Art-Interior Design from SDSU and is NCIDQ certified. With a professional focus in the cabinet industry his experience and expertise includes hand drafting, design, CAD system operation, installation, project management and sales. Having worked several years as a regional corporate trainer he has conducted over 400 seminars and authored manuals & programs. Having been based in both Chicago and Southern California he is currently a trainer and territory manager for a national cabinet company. Darrill co-wrote and teaches Residential Green, he also teaches Introduction to Hand Drafting.

Morton Block, CMKBD
Morton Block, CMKBD, of Morton Block Associates, is an award-winning designer and training consultant, an author, and a speaker. His practical, yet innovative, design solutions and training styles have significantly influenced the kitchen and bath industry throughout North America for more than 30 years. Mort teaches, Kitchen Starter, Bath Starter, Kitchen & Bath Krafter and wrote and teaches many of the webinars.

Robert Blakeman, LEED, AP
Robert Blakeman is Senior Vice President with Paulus, Sokolowski & Sartor, a full-service architectural engineering firm. Blakeman has shared his expertise on sustainable design at national conferences and has been instrumental in creating spaces that provide natural day lighting, cutting-edge lighting systems and reduced operating costs with renewable energy systems. He is a member of USGBC and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. He recently initiated a LEED Training Workshop, which leads to becoming a member of the USGBC. Robert teaches Residential Green, and wrote and teaches Experience Green, and Sustainable Design.

Michael Cavallaro, CKD, CBD
Michael Cavallaro, CKD, CBD, of MC Designs, has been involved in the kitchen and bath industry since 1972. Michael’s experience includes operating a family kitchen business, managing remodeling projects from the close of the sale to coordination and completion, and simultaneously developing customer awareness within the industry through local media. Mike teaches Kitchen Starter and Bath Starter

Ellen Cheever, CMKBD
Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, of Ellen Cheever & Associates, has spent 30 years redefining the kitchen.Though her focus is specific, her expertise touches many venues. As product consultant, author, designer, and industry spokesperson, Ellen educates and impacts the lives and workspaces of homeowners, designers, and manufacturers. Ellen wrote and teaches Pathways to Profit and Profitable Showrooms;

Hank Darlington, MBA
Hank Darlington, of Darlington Consulting, has 40 years experience as a business owner, professional manager, industry consultant, author, writer, speaker and teacher. He and his business are nationally recognized and have received numerous national awards. Hank wrote and teaches: : Successful Selling and the Business Management Workshop .

Michael DeLuca, CKD
Michael DeLuca, CKD, of Michael DeLuca and Associates, is a designer of many talents. In addition to being a licensed general contractor, NKBA Instructor and an award-winning interior designer, Michael is on a continual learning path. Michael wrote and teaches Kitchen & Bath Lighting, Made Easy

Kathleen Donohue, CMKBD
Kathleen Donohue, CMKBD, of Neil Kelly Company, lives and works in Oregon, serving as a designer of a branch showroom for Neil Kelly Company in Eugene, Oregon. She led a team of designers to develop and bring to market the American Craftsman Collection, Transitions Collection and the Naturals Collection of cabinets for Neil Kelly Cabinets. Kathy wrote and teaches Theme Design Principles

Jeffrey Holloway, CKD, CBD
Jeffrey Holloway, CKD, CBD, of Holloway Home Improvement Center lives and works in Marmora, New Jersey. With a talented and experienced team, he designs, sells, and builds luxury kitchen & bath renovations to the surrounding community. Jeffrey Holloway has been remodeling kitchens & baths for over 21 years. He has been responsible for the construction of new homes, whole house renovations, and small additions . Jeffrey teaches Kitchen Starter, Bath Starter, Job Installation & Project Management, Advanced Kitchen & Bath, and Krafter

Ken Jones, MBA
Ken Jones has more than 25 years of experience creating, building and selling businesses. His background includes an array of responsibilities with documented success in the areas of entrepreneurial development, turnaround management consulting, software development and implementation, and e-business creation. Mr. Jones’ background also includes experience in financial management, sales management and strategic marketing.

As the Director of the Entrepreneur & Venture Development Center at The University of Houston Downtown. His responsibilities include continuing to educate students in the skills of entrepreneurship and new venture creation, where he has a passion for Entrepreneurship and his enthusiasm shines in the classroom. Ken teaches the Business Management Workshop, and wrote and teaches Mind Your Own Business, and Nail that ...SALE!

Jim Krengel, CMKBD
Jim Krengel, CMKBD, of Kitchens by Krengel, Inc., began his career in 1966 at Kitchens by Krengel in St. Paul, Minnesota. Today, that design studio is in its third generation of ownership and Jim spends the majority of his time writing and lecturing. Jim wrote and teaches Creativity in Action - Kitchen Design, and Creativity in Action - Bath Design, Jim also teaches Certification Prep .

Jennie Lund, CMKBD
Jennie Lund, CMKBD, has worked in all segments of the cabinet design industry from home centers to custom cabinet firms. She has been a featured designer on an internationally syndicated PBS home improvement series, a frequent speaker at regional home shows and an award-winning show house designer. Jennie teaches Advanced Kitchen & Bath,

David Newton, CMKBD
David Newton, CMKBD, of David Newton and Associates, shares his experience, knowledge and new trends in the industry with others. David’s presentations are continuously rated high for instruction, knowledge of the industry and a “voice of experience.” His grasp of the profession and his teaching skills make him a valuable member of our industry. Dave wrote and teaches: Selling with Personality, Kitchen Starter, Bath Starter, Certification Prep, Kitchen & Bath Krafter, Documenting Kitchen Design , Documenting Bath Design , and many webinars and web series

Ann Morris, CMKBD, ASID
Ann is a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer working for Allied Kitchen and Baths, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida as a Design Consultant. Ann has been in the kitchen and bath design business for 20+ years and has designed and installed projects domestically as well as internationally. Her work has been featured in national publications: McCall’s, New York Times, Gourmet Magazine, Town & Country, Better Homes and Gardens, and Inspired House. In 2006, she appeared on HGTV in I Want That Bath where Ann designed a guest bathroom in Island Colonial Style.

Mary Jo Peterson, CKD, CBD
Mary Jo Peterson, CKD, CBD, of Mary Jo Peterson, Inc., has more than 15 years experience and her work has earned national recognition. With specific expertise in universal design, Mary Jo has authored three books on the subject and is a frequent national speaker and educator. Mary Jo wrote and teaches : Design for All: Universal Design Strategies , Design for All: Universal Design Details , and Residential Green.

Les Petrie, CMKBD
Les Petrie, CMKBD, started his design career while selling diagnostic imaging equipment in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania . In 1986, seeking to fulfill a desire to own his own business, and not wanting to let his previous experiences lay waste, he purchased Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry. Les soon earned his credentials as a CKD and CBD and was one of the first 50 CMKBD’s. Les has held nearly every officer position at both the chapter and national level and lead the NKBA as national president in 2003. He continues to write for local magazines and contributes to publications across the US as well as making design presentations for allied associations. He has presented both here and in England’s largest kitchen and bath shows, Kitchen & Bath expo and Master Class in both London and in Birmingham. Les continues to practice as an independent design consultant on the outer banks of North Carolina. Les teaches: Creativity in Action: Kitchen, Creativity in Action: Bath, and the Complete Certification Prep Course

Jodi Tramontin, CKD, CBD
Jodi Tramontin, CKD, CBD, has over 16 years experience in the Kitchen and Bath Industry. Currently the National Trainer for StarMark and Fieldstone Cabinetry, Jodi has devoted the last 5 years to training and mentoring designers within the industry. Jodi has worked in all aspects of the kitchen and bath industry from home centers to independent kitchen and bath design services. Jodi teaches: Advanced Kitchen & Bath.

Mark White, CKD
Mark T. White, CKD, established Kitchen Encounters in 1981. With more than 25 years in business, the family-owned business is known for unique and creative designs, quality products and exceptional service. Mark developed the Interactive Design Process to ensure the very best results for customers’ projects.

Mark was named the Grand Prize Winner for the 2005 NKBA/GE Dream Kitchen design contest. His designs have placed in NKBA’s design contests and other industry competitions. He has been featured numerous times in national and regional publications as a contributing designer and writer. Many of his kitchens and baths have been televised nationally on HGTV (Home and Garden Television). Mark was also selected to design the high-tech kitchen in the 2005 NextGen Design Idea Home featured at KBIS. He is a past officer and Hall of Fame inductee of the Baltimore/Washington NKBA Chapter and also served on the NKBA national Board of Directors. Mark travels regularly for out of state design work and to deliver industry related seminars and workshops that he developed. Mark teaches: Introduction to Hand Drafting.