Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast

Jenny Gayfer, owner of Top 40 Woodworks and former vendor rep-turned-owner, led a deliberate transformation of a commercial millwork firm. She discusses cultural overhaul, interviewing every employee, leadership reshuffles, implementing an ERP for visibility, and pairing EOS meeting rhythms with systems. She also talks about forecasting, capacity planning, and how automation and service will reshape the industry.

Text us your feedback on the podcast!In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Liz Ingebrigtsen, Project Manager at Sprovieri’s Custom Counters and current Chair of the Board for the Architectural Woodwork Institute. With more than 15 years in the industry, Liz shares her journey from starting at the front desk during the height of the recession to becoming a respected industry leader at both the chapter and national level.Together, they explore the evolving role of AWI, the importance of industry involvement, and the real opportunities available for young professionals in millwork. This conversation goes beyond standards and titles. It is about ownership, workforce development, mentorship, and building a sustainable future for the trades.About Our GuestLiz Ingebrigtsen is a Project Manager at Sprovieri’s Custom Counters in the Chicago area and the current Chair of the Board for the Architectural Woodwork Institute. She has served for years on the Chicago Chapter board and recently stepped into national leadership.Liz began her career in the middle of the 2009 recession, taking a front desk position at a countertop company that would eventually become her long term professional home. Over the years she grew alongside the company as it expanded from residential work into large scale commercial fabrication. Through her involvement in AWI, she found not just professional growth but community, mentorship, and purpose within the millwork industry.Where to Learn MoreArchitectural Woodwork Institute https://awinet.orgSprovieri’s Custom Counters https://sprovieris.comConnect with Lizz Ingebrigtsen on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizingebrigtsen/ Blog: https://vifpodcast.com/leadership-and-legacy-in-millwork-with-liz-ingebrigtsen/↗ Share The Love:If you like Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast …Never miss an episode by subscribing via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or by RSS!

Text us your feedback on the podcast!In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Madison Fuzzell, Chief Operating Officer of Integrity Architectural Millwork, to explore what it looks like to step into leadership within a second generation millwork business.Madison shares her unconventional path into the industry, beginning with a corporate career in international supply chain and operations before joining her family’s millwork company. Together, they discuss the realities of succession planning, earning trust in a legacy shop, and introducing modern systems into an established operation. This conversation offers a candid look at leadership transitions, industry change, and the future of millwork from the perspective of a new generation of leaders. About Our GuestMadison Fuzzell is the Chief Operating Officer at Integrity Architectural Millwork, a Nashville based millwork company founded by her father more than 40 years ago. Although she grew up around the business, Madison initially pursued a career outside the construction industry, studying business and working in international grocery supply chain operations in Germany and the United States.After years of experience building systems, managing logistics, and driving operational efficiency, Madison joined Integrity Architectural Millwork during a pivotal transition period. Since then, she has helped modernize processes, implement scheduling and documentation systems, and guide the company through growth, a new facility move, and leadership succession. She is also actively involved in AWI and industry organizations that support collaboration, education, and workforce development. Where to learn moreIntegrity Architectural Millwork websitehttps://www.integritymillwork.net/ Integrity Architectural Millwork Linkedlnhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/integrity-architectural-millwork-inc./ Connect with Madison Fuzzell on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/madisonfuzzell/ Podcast blog:https://vifpodcast.com/leading-the-next-generation-of-millwork-with-madison-fuzzell/?utm_source=Buzzprout&utm_medium=Podcast Share The Love:If you like Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast …Never miss an episode by subscribing via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or by RSS!

Text us your feedback on the podcast!Better Drawings, Better Builds: Jobsite Lessons with Katelyn RossierIn this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Katelyn Rossier, a licensed architect in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the founder of MentorDINO, a training platform built to close the gap between architecture school and real-world practice. Katelyn shares how spending more than half of her career on job sites reshaped the way she thinks about drawings, detailing, construction administration, and the relationships that make projects run smoother.Together, they unpack a challenge both architects and trades feel every day: the disconnect between design and construction. From “design intent” that gets misunderstood to drawings overloaded with information that still miss the details people need to build, this conversation is a practical look at how teams can collaborate better and why mentorship is the real solution to the industry’s training problem.  About Our GuestKatelyn Rossier is a licensed architect and the founder of MentorDINO, an education and mentoring platform designed to help architects strengthen their technical skills, communication, and jobsite confidence. After working in both small firms and large, multi-location environments, she saw firsthand how understaffing, burnout, and limited training impact drawing quality and construction outcomes.Today, Katelyn runs two businesses: MentorDINO, and her architecture firm, Rossier Architecture and Design, bringing together field experience, practical detailing, and mentorship to help architects become stronger partners to contractors and trades. Where to Learn MoreMentorDINOS website link: https://academy.mentordino.com/pages/mentordino-home-pageMentorDINOSLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mentordino-llc/Katelyn Rossier LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-rossier/MentorDINOS  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mentorDINOFind out more about this episode's sponsor, Skillya: https://skill-ya.com/?utm_source=VIF%20Podcast Share The Love:If you like Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast …Never miss an episode by subscribing via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or by RSS!

Text us your feedback on the podcast! In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Amanda Conger, Executive Director of the Cabinet Makers Association (CMA), the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals (ACSP), and the National Woods Board (NWB). With over 20 years in the woodworking and machinery world, Amanda has become one of the industry's most influential voices for small shops, education, and workforce development. From the challenges facing today’s cabinetmakers to the nationwide push for better woodworking programs in schools, Amanda brings clarity to the talent crisis many millwork shops face. Together, Jacob and Amanda explore how associations, schools, and shop owners can work together to build sustainable career pathways for the next generation.  About Our Guest Amanda Conger began her career in marketing at Stiles Machinery, where she discovered a passion for industry-wide collaboration and association leadership. That curiosity led her into executive roles first with CMA, then ACSP, and finally the National Woods Board. Through these organizations, she supports small and mid-size shops with education, networking, best practices, and crucially—access to a trained future workforce. Where to Learn More Cabinet Makers Association: https://www.cabinetmakers.org/ Association of Closet & Storage Professionals:  https://closets.org/ National Woods Board: https://nationalwoodsboard.org/Share The Love:If you like Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast …Never miss an episode by subscribing via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or by RSS!

Text us your feedback on the podcast!In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Bruno Calatayud, National Director at EFICAD, to talk about the development, evolution, and impact of SWOOD a SolidWorks-based CAD/CAM solution built specifically for the woodworking and millwork industry. Bruno shares the story of how SWOOD grew from an educational initiative in France into a global platform with clients in 50+ industry categories. From SolidWorks integration to machine-ready CAM output, SWOOD is giving custom millwork shops the tools to take full control of their workflows from design to machining. If you’ve ever wondered whether a fully integrated CAD/CAM solution is worth the switch bor whether your current software is holding your team back this episode offers a clear look into what’s possible. About Our Guest Bruno Calatayud is the National Director for North America at EFICAD, the developers behind SWOOD, a fully integrated CAD/CAM solution for woodworking built on SolidWorks. With a background in mechanical engineering, Bruno has spent over a decade training technical teams, working with international partners, and helping shops streamline complex production with 3D-driven automation. Based in Boston since 2019, he’s now leading SWOOD’s expansion across North America. Share The Love:If you like Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast …Never miss an episode by subscribing via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or by RSS!

Text us your feedback on the podcast!In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond is joined by Ryan Randell, National Director at Elevated Finishing, to dive deep into one of the most overlooked, and most painful, parts of a shop’s workflow: finishing. From long cure times to inconsistent results, finishing can often feel like a mysterious “black art.” But Ryan brings clarity, process, and serious innovation to the conversation, introducing us to a game-changing solution: the SCHUBOX. Designed for real-world millwork and cabinetry shops, this compact, catalytic IR curing system slashes drying times, eliminates bottlenecks, and makes finishing predictable. Whether you're struggling with air-dry lag, overwhelmed by rework, or just tired of crowding your shop with drying racks, this episode offers insight into how smarter curing can transform production flow and profitability. About Our Guest Ryan Randell is the National Director at Elevated Finishing and a long-time expert in the world of finishing and coatings. His journey, from remodeling contractor roots to application engineering at Stiles Machinery, gave him hands-on insight into the real challenges millwork and cabinetry shops face daily. Now, he leads Elevated Finishing’s mission to bring European-style catalytic IR technology to the U.S. market through their signature product, the SCHUBOX. Where to Learn More Elevated Finishing Website: https://www.elevatedfinishing.com/Social Media: Elevated Finishings LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevated-finishing/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevatedFinishingFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557506270777Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatedfinishing/Ryan Randell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-randell-b086749b/Share The Love:If you like Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast …Never miss an episode by subscribing via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or by RSS!

Text us your feedback on the podcast!In this solo episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond steps out from behind the interview desk to tackle one of the most urgent problems in the millwork and construction industry, not the shortage of talent, but the shortage of training and mentorship. Drawing from his own unconventional path, from architecture school to engineering without prior cabinet-building experience, Jacob shares what it takes to create a true talent pipeline. This episode is a powerful call to action for millwork leaders, project managers, and shop owners who keep asking, “Where do I find good people?” but haven’t asked, “How am I helping create them?” If your shop is struggling with turnover, skill gaps, or a lack of promotable team members, this is required listening. Where to Learn More Connect with Jacob in LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobedmond/Read the DuckWorks Blog: https://duckworksmw.com/blog/Share The Love:If you like Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast …Never miss an episode by subscribing via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or by RSS!

In this discussion, Matt Swatek, CEO of Microcap Solutions and an expert in HR and recruiting within the millwork industry, dives into proactive hiring strategies. He emphasizes the importance of aligning staffing with business goals and the need for strategic labor planning. Matt shares his experiences from scaling teams at USA Millwork and introduces the benefits of fractional HR leadership for small shops. He also highlights innovative sourcing tactics for trades and the value of learning from past hiring mistakes to build a robust workforce.

Text us your feedback on the podcast! In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Bruce Chezem, longtime Cabinet Vision consultant, shop owner, educator, and host of the Cabinet Vision Minute podcast. From his start in cabinetmaking as a young firefighter to running his own shop during the Great Recession and now helping hundreds of businesses optimize their software and workflows, Bruce has seen it all.  Where to Learn MoreCompany Website: https://craftsmanengineering.com/Contact Bruce: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bruce-chezem-draw/Patreon: https://Patreon.com/PeelingbackCabinetVisionA Cabinet Vision Minute:  https://www.youtube.com/@aCVMinuteEmail: admin@craftsmanengineering.comOther important Links: Essential Cabinet Vision Packages: Craftsman Engineering CV Packages – Essential Cabinet Vision PackagesA Useful Checklist: Creating and Documenting A Job in Cabinet Vision in 40 Steps | Craftsman Woodworks Engineering ServicesBlog: CraftsmanShare The Love:If you like Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast …Never miss an episode by subscribing via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or by RSS!