Getting to Know NKBA Chairman of the Board, Basil Larkin.  By Steven Campeau

 

Over the last several weeks, NKBA has been sharing with its members a deeper look into the lives of its national committee volunteers. These volunteer positions range from the Board of Directors, Chapter Leadership Committee, Leadership Recruitment Committee, and the KBIS Exhibitor Committee. Today’s post is special for two reasons – it coincides with the opening of national elections for the above committees and is from NKBA’s very own 2022 Chairman of the Board – Basil Larkin, Senior Vice President of Sales for Hestan Commercial Corp. The Board of Directors leads the Association in carrying out its strategic plan and focuses on matters of the Association policy at a high level. This important national volunteer role is composed of nine individuals who serve four-year terms. The 2022 national election cycle, now open through September 30, will include two open positions for the Board of Directors. If interested in applying for one of these open positions, go here.

How did you get your start in the kitchen and bath industry and/or NKBA?

My first job out of college was not a great fit for what I studied.  During my time in college my father worked for Raytheon after retiring from the Air Force.  Raytheon owned Amana Appliances, and my father moved from Raytheon to Amana. When he knew I wasn’t happy where I was, he said I’d excel in sales and encouraged me to apply for an account development job at Amana. I interviewed, got the job and I’ve been in the appliance business ever since.

What is your favorite part of being an NKBA member and/or national volunteer?

The NKBA encompasses the entire industry that I’ve been involved with my entire life. Yes, I only work for one category that makes up the kitchen and bath industry, but being a member and volunteer is so exciting. The association and all the different companies are the ecosystem for the industry.  The information that is available to help guide us, the companies and the people involved are my favorite parts.

Do you have a current trend or product that members just have to know more about?

We’ve had our smart induction cooktops out for a bit now, and recently, we launched smart gas products.  Both products utilize the same smart pans which have a temperature sensor in the pan and Bluetooth in the handle to capture temperature and communicate to the control or phone/tablet.  Based on what temperature you have set, both products will maintain that temperature without users having to touch or control the product. The technology blends in seamlessly with the product and it will change the way people cook.  Both of these products are available right now. 

Where is your favorite vacation spot and does that influence your home decor? 

Honestly, it is wherever my family is.  That is not only my children and wife but my parents, sisters and brother-in-laws. I want to keep the entire family close to our extended family so that means no Hawaii or Europe and most always back to Boston and Cape Cod.  Living in Southern California it is at the opposite end of the US to Boston, but it’s family.  Interestingly, given that LA and Boston are so different our LA (Redondo Beach) home pulls in colors, features and furniture that balances both our Eastern background and now our Western footprint.

What are you most looking forward to this year, personally or professionally? (or both!)

I really want to see where things are going to settle out in this new world we live in and I’m also looking forward to how my family is changing.  On the one hand I feel the pandemic has changed our lives possibly forever from restaurant development to travel to the way we now meet and conduct business.  I’m really curious to see how this keeps evolving.  On the other hand, my family is maturing.  My daughter just started her senior year of college with my son starting his senior year of high school.  I’m excited about this but at the same time I’m looking at how this creates change for my wife and I, especially with the empty nester thing around the corner.  Now, more than ever, I guess Heraclitus is still right that “change is the only constant in life.”  Luckily, I like change.

About Basil Larkin 

As senior vice president of sales, Larkin is responsible for all sales at Hestan, a manufacturer of premium commercial restaurant equipment and residential indoor/outdoor appliances. Larkin, who has been in the appliance business for most of his career, has held key roles in sales leadership, marketing and product development. Before joining Hestan, he was general manager at BSH Home Appliances, vice president of sales and marketing at Lynx Professional Grills and vice president of sales at Viking Range Corporation. Larkin holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts and is a member of the Society of Fellows at the Culinary Institute of America.