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PRO Cabinet Maker: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Cabinet Makers Association
An original podcast series produced by the Cabinet Makers Association, created specifically for the woodworking industry. We bring together a pair of industry professionals to talk about issues and challenges impacting their businesses, as well as best practices to help combat those obstacles.
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- Apr 23, 202634 min
Lean Thinking in a High-Volume, Data-Driven Shop
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.
- Feb 24, 202626 min
Built By Family, Driven By Innovation
In Episode 25, guest host Terry Steffey of Dibbleville Woodworks and the Cabinet Makers Association sits down with Skylar Faria and Hannah Khalaf of SurfPrep to explore the company’s evolution and mission in the woodworking industry. They share how SurfPrep grew from a 1985 sales business into a family-owned manufacturer of innovative sanding systems designed to reduce strain on craftspeople, and discuss plans for a new 60,000-square-foot North Carolina facility that will expand production and create hands-on training opportunities for students and the community. The conversation also highlights veteran outreach inspired by the Purple Heart Project, ongoing product innovation including AI-enabled robotics, and the value of CMA membership in building connections and industry learning. PRO Cabinet Maker is produced by Association Briefings.
- Dec 17, 202537 min
Crafting Careers: How Education Strengthens the Next Generation of Cabinet Makers
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.
- Aug 27, 202522 min
Scaling Up: Partnership, Projects, and Progress
In episode 23, guest host Randy Niewind, president of Randy’s Cabinets and Woodworks and the Cabinet Makers Association, sits down with AJ Durkton, co-founder of Live Oak Fine Cabinetry & Millwork in San Rafael, CA. AJ shares the story behind starting the company, its growth through a partnership with Julian Gaul who formerly owned Halocline Studio, and how that collaboration has boosted both capacity and efficiency. The discussion dives into operations, from outsourcing and project management to going paperless after being inspired by another shop. AJ also spotlights a large-scale project that pushed their systems to the limit, reflects on the value of CMA membership and industry events, and gives a preview of exciting new business expansions on the horizon. PRO Cabinet Maker is produced by Association Briefings.
- Jun 25, 202532 min
Tech, Tradition, and Family: Innovating Without Losing the Roots
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.
- May 7, 202541 min
Building Futures: How Hands-On Learning Inspires the Next Generation
In episode 21, guest host Randy Niewind, president of Randy's Cabinets and Woodworks and president of the Cabinet Makers Association. He chats with Bobby Miller, a dedicated woodshop teacher from Coon Rapids High School in Minnesota. Bobby shares how his program goes beyond the basics, guiding students from beginner projects to advanced builds like entertainment centers and instruments. They dive into the power of hands-on learning, real-world industry exposure through events and tours, and how today’s students value workplace culture just as much as pay. Bobby also discusses how he brings tech, business, and networking into the shop to help students find purpose. PRO Cabinet Maker is produced by Association Briefings.
- Feb 26, 202530 min
From Tradition to Technology: Lessons in Leadership and Operations
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.
- Nov 21, 202423 min
Building Success: Challenges, Growth and Industry Leadership
In episode 19, 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 fellow board member Amy Thrasher-Price, owner of D&H Quality Cabinets in Lindale, Texas. Amy shares her inspiring journey in the woodworking industry, including taking over her family's cabinet business in 2018. Since then, the company has grown significantly, now operating across two buildings with a combined 16,500 square feet and a team of 24 employees. Amy opens up about the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field, the value of mastering every aspect of the business, and her insights as a new board member of the Cabinet Makers Association. PRO Cabinet Maker is produced by Association Briefings.
About PRO Cabinet Maker
An original podcast series produced by the Cabinet Makers Association, created specifically for the woodworking industry. We bring together a pair of industry professionals to talk about issues and challenges impacting their businesses, as well as best practices to help combat those obstacles.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of PRO Cabinet Maker as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
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When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
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PRO Cabinet Maker publishes occasional. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
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PRO Cabinet Maker covers topics including Business, Non-Profit. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
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