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Two regional chapters joined to toast NKBA’s 60th Anniversary,  their Past Presidents and the benefits of volunteering.

The Olympic-West Sound and Puget Sound Chapters recently came together to hold a special anniversary event for their members to celebrate NKBA’s 60 years of supporting the kitchen and bath industry. The celebratory event, sponsored by Signature Kitchen Suite, featured current and past Chapter presidents, prizes and giveaways, and highlighted key moments in the history of NKBA and each Chapter. 

“I want to thank NKBA for all that they do to support us,” said Eleanor Olsen, CKBD, Olympic-West Sound Chapter President and owner, Total Spaces Design. Olsen and Judith Wright Sentz, CKBD, Puget Sound Chapter President, and owner of Judith Wright Design, were the driving force behind organizing the Chapter Anniversary event, which is one of six to take place around the country this year. Both chapters competed to win the opportunity to work with NKBA to hold the Anniversary event in their region.  

The Seattle weather didn’t disappoint, and the sunny, blue skies were the perfect backdrop for the crowd to mingle, reminisce and admire the waterfront view from the MV Skansonia, a historic ferry docked on North Lake Union. As they sipped cocktails and nibbled on hors d’oeuvres, the 100-plus attendees heard from the Chapters’ Past Presidents and longtime members, with each telling a personal story, highlighting influential members who passed away or sharing a “tidbit of history”.

“Being in an organization like [NKBA], volunteering, shows you how to be a leader.”  —Paula Kennedy, CMKBD, Owner of Timeless Kitchen Design

Paula Kennedy, CMKBD, Owner of Timeless Kitchen Design and past president of the Puget Sound Chapter, said that she didn’t benefit only professionally from volunteering with NKBA. “It helped me grow personally,” she said. “Being in an organization like [NKBA], volunteering, shows you how to be a leader.”  

In fact, many spoke of the importance of volunteering for NKBA to help support the industry and other members. “I volunteer because I want to help others reach their career goals and direction,” said Wright Sentz. Being a part of the association is also about relationships, said Candace Nordquist, CMKBD, and past president of Puget Sound Chapter, who added: “For me, it’s about fun, friends and connection.”

Perhaps Shane Hamilton, the first president of the Olympic-West Sound Chapter, summed up the importance and benefit of NKBA’s 60-year history and its network of Chapters best: “You can’t do this by yourself… this organization has been there for us, day in and day out, to help.” 

Photos by Andy Pinnell, Studio 517