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The NKBA past president shares his favorite NKBA memory, changes he has seen in the K&B industry, career advice and more.

By Elisa Fernández-Arias

Tom Trzcinski, CMKBD, Founder and CEO of Kitchen & Bath Concepts and former NKBA President, has been in the kitchen and bath industry for over 50 years. Recognized on a national level for his contributions to the industry, Trzcinski and the company he founded in 1973 have won numerous awards, including NKBA’s annual design competitions. Trzcinski served as NKBA President in 1988 and spent 14 years on the Board of Directors.

NKBA recently spoke with Trzcinski about his experience as NKBA President, the changes he has seen in the association, where he sees the K&B industry heading and more.

NKBA Memories  

When asked about his favorite memory during his time as NKBA President, Trzcinski said, “There is always one overall experience that comes to mind first. And, that is how satisfying not only my presidency was, but the entire 14 years I spent on the board, the Executive Board as well as the Society of Certified Kitchen Designers.” He noted that so much was accomplished during those years, notably the association’s name change from the American Institute of Kitchen Dealers (AIKD) to National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA). 

Changes in the Association and K&B Industry

Since his presidency, Trzcinski has seen NKBA’s governance transition from a dealer/designer-controlled association to one that also has manufacturers and corporate officers at the helm. As for the industry, he noted the proliferation and dynamics of technology and computer-supported interfacing with all facets of the industry, including the design process, business management support, and the manufacturing processes.

A Career and a Life Post-Presidency

Over 35 years after serving as NKBA President, Trzcinski has remained active in the industry, in his business and in his community. His son, Tommy, and daughter, Jamie, now manage the 50-year-old family business. Even though he’s no longer involved on a daily basis, Trzcinski says, “I still find my way into the office, frequently working on KBC special internal projects and advising on client projects when needed. I am a big advocate of being relevant even after 50 years and staying connected to our business.”

In fact, Trzcinski recently won an award in NKBA’s Design Competition with one of KBC’s top designers. “This completed my long-range goal, when I started my business at the age of 21, which was to try to win the NKBA Competition over five continuous decades,” he said. “The ability to change with the times, to keep up with the market, and remain on the cutting edge of design is humbling and most rewarding to me.”

In addition to his continuous involvement with the industry and his business, Trzcinski spends his time volunteering. He has been President of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Hockey League for 14 years and sat on the advisory board at Penn State’s Beaver Campus for 10 years, where he and his wife helped to endow scholarships Now, semi-retired, he and his wife often travel and spend their time seeing their three grandsons play ice hockey, dek hockey and golf. “My time now is totally focused on our family,” he said.

Career Advice  

“To succeed in this business you need a combination of Patience, Persistence, Persuasion (the ability to sell and manage), and Passion,” advised Trzcinski, who received this advice from another designer while attending his first NKBA-sponsored school.

To this day, even after 50 years, Trzcinski said he still has a fond interest for the industry — and he hopes he will have passed on the “4 Ps” to KBC’s next generation and to anyone who may listen.

The Future  

When asked about what he sees ahead for the industry and NKBA, Trzcinski said, “No matter what segment of the industry you may analyze, design is at the core of all of our successes and industry innovativeness. What I am most optimistic about is the quality of our professionals being nurtured by the association and the industry.”  

Trzcinski also said that, as someone who has seen where the association is and where it’s heading, “I can’t say for sure where it will go, but I do know it will continue to grow, addressing the needs of the industry. My hope is that we never forget where the association came from and that design professionals keep driving the industry with their creativity and will keep the association alive and fresh with forward-thinking, engaged leaders. Personally, watching my children carry on the family business is gratifying.”