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.

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 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.