the Creative Edge
Photo Courtesy of Ron Hedges, CMKBD 
3rd Quarter 2015
 Issue No. 6
ENHANCING MEMBER SUCCESS AND EXCELLENCE WHILE PROMOTING PROFESSIONALISM AND ETHICAL BUSINESS PRACTICES, AND PROVIDING LEADERSHIP AND DIRECTION FOR THE KITCHEN & BATH INDUSTRY.
New NKBA Susquehanna Valley
Chapter Members!
  1. James Hall-Yurasits - Clean Cut Construction, Inc.
  2. Justin L. Hess, CAPS - Art Institute of York
  3. Christina Zondervan - Christine Zondervan Interiors
  4. Michael Pope - Sun Bound Technology
  5. Rebecca B. Ward, AKBD - Lowe's of Hanover, Pa
  6. Dana Swiger - John H. Myers & Sons
  7. Melissa Oliver, AKBD - Lowes of Easton
  8. Sidney F. Martin - Sid Martin
  9. Ivan Pticek - Kitchens, Baths & More, Inc.
  10. Frank LoRusso - Advanced Construction Solutions, LLC
  11. Barbara A. Straub - Art Institute of Pittsburg
  12. Patricia M. Holjes, CKD, CBD - Just Cabinets
PLANNING TO TAKE "CERTIFICATION" EXAM after JULY 1st, 2015 ?

Please be advised that all AKDB, CKD and CBD exam kits will all be based on expanded information found in the revised "SECOND EDITION" version of the "Professional Resource Library" (PRL), plus 2 new manuals - Kitchen & Bath Sustainable Design and Kitchen & Bath Lighting. All of these manuals are available from nkba.org, click on "store".
 
The "AKBD" is an on-demand exam while the "CKD" and "CBD" exams are available twice a year at specific times and locations. Check with NKBA.org for dates, time and requirements prior to exams.

Besides just studying these manuals on your own, national offers various prep courses, including "sample tests" to help you get ready for the exams. Our chapter also offers a "Study Group" which reviews each of the manuals in advance of the exam. This "Study Group" usually starts in June at a time and place convenient to as many participants as possible. At this point we do not have any committed to this years' "Study Group".

It's not too late, contact our VP of Professional Development, Ron Hedges, CMKBD at 717-359-4432 or [email protected] asap if you have any interest.
The 2016 NKBA Design Competition is Open for Entries! 

Who can enter? 

Only NKBA members are eligible.

What do you have to gain? 

National media attention, special awards and cash prizes presented during a special ceremony during KBIS 2016 in Las Vegas, industry recognition, your design(s) featured in NKBA Magazine, on NKBA.org, and in the NKBA Booth at KBIS 2016.

What's needed? 

A project installed between January 1, 2014 and August 14, 2015, clear photos, a concise design statement, elevations and a floor plan to scale, along with a completed entry form. The 2016 NKBA Design Competition Entry Packet provides comprehensive information on the entry process as well as competition rules & requirements. 

Deadline:  

All entry packets must be received at the NKBA Headquarters by Friday, August 14, 2015. Submit your application online here.
Upcoming NKBA Events

August 11 - The Vineyard & Brewery at Hershey -
Speaker John Petrie CMKBD, CAPS, Natl. Immediate Past President speaking on wine storage

September 15 - CGA Law Firm - Speaker Attorney Andrew Paxton - Business & Corporate Law & Real Estate Law speaking on Retainers & Contracts

October 13 - National Kitchen & Bath Month -Art Institute at York - Product Night

November - TBD
Gold Sponsor
SIGN UP TODAY 
October Product Night
NKBA Member Vendors 

When: Tuesday, October 13 
Where: Ai York Pennsylvania
Time: 5:30-8:00pm
 
Here is an opportunity for our members to display their products & services and help to educate your peers, students and the design community.
 
Reserve a table for free (8'- table with tablecloth will be provided upon reservation).  Contact one of the following members and sign up today! 
 
Kim Morrison   
[email protected]
Beth Ann Triantafyllou 
[email protected]
Certification Reminder!
CEU Term ends June 30, 2016.  Please submit all CEU's via the NKBA website.
Member Spotlight:
Showcasing Susquehanna Valley chapter
members and their success!

Name: Ron Hedges, CMKBD
Company: Kitchens by TedRon
 
NKBA: How did you become interested in the kitchen and bath industry?
Ron: Early in my career (1959) while working for an engineering firm in York, Pa., I received an offer from Keystone Cabinet Company, Littlestown, Pa. to be their designer and work with their dealer organization, which at that time was mainly in the east and westward to the Chicago area. The offer meant a lot of travel and was at a salary over twice that of what I was making at the engineering firm. At that point I became very interested in the kitchen and bath industry.
 
NKBA: We love having you on our chapter board.  What other recognitions have you received in your career?
Ron: In the past, I have received (3) "Best of Show" awards from the Adams County Builders Association for our various kitchen displays at their "Builders Shows". A few years ago, our chapter presented me with a wall plaque for "Advanced Achievement in the field of Kitchen and Bath Design". I also received 2 plaques from NKBA; one for serving on nationals "Member Standards Committee" and one for serving as nationals "NKBA Design Competition Judge".
 
NKBA: Thank you for heading up the certification exam study groups.  Why do you feel it's important for industry professionals to receive these certifications?
Ron: Certification in Kitchen and/or Bath Design tells potential clients or employers that you have studied for and passed the necessary exams and therefore have the knowledge necessary to produce professional projects in our industry. While "Certification" provides each of us with the basic education to do our work correctly, each of us must hone our imagination and design skills in order to become "outstanding" individuals in our field.
 
I do have to admit that I have been designing kitchens and baths long before "Certification" became available in our industry. When NKBA offered a certification program, I was eligible to be "Grandfathered" in, without testing. I did not take advantage of that and when I finally decided I should be "Certified", it took studying and testing to accomplish this. Even though, prior to certification, I thought I was a pretty good designer, after studying and passing the exam, I have to admit I became a better and more proficient designer thru knowledge gained preparing for the exam.
 
NKBA: In your career, is there an NKBA event that you enjoyed the most?
Ron: My 3 years as Region 2 Director, serving on NKBA's National Board of Directors was my most rewarding experience. However, serving as a "Design Competition Judge" in NKBA's 2012 Annual Design Competition was very interesting and educational for me. It was held in Bethlehem, Pa. that year and gave me the opportunity to see many outstanding projects of designers from all parts of the country.  It was challenging as well as rewarding. I would suggest that any designer entering this annual competition, pay close attention to and follow all entry rules. I witnessed many excellent entries disqualified because of rule violations.
 
NKBA: What is one piece of design advice that you abide by?
Ron: My best advise to any designer, regardless of their level of expertise is, "Pay Attention to the Details".

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