Celebrating the NKBA Hall of Fame Inductees From 1994-1990
by Elisa Fernández-Arias | August 10, 2023
Celebrating the NKBA Hall of Fame Inductees From 1994-1990
by Elisa Fernández-Arias | August 10, 2023
A total of 21 kitchen and bath professionals were inducted into NKBA’s Hall of Fame from 1990 to 1994. Many of the inductees were longtime NKBA members, including those who helped shape the association and form local chapters.
1994
Fred Carl, Jr.
Fred Carl, Jr., founder of Viking Range Corporation, developed the first line of commercial-grade, restaurant-style ranges for residential use. The influence of Viking Ranges can be seen in the trend toward the “commercial look” in residential kitchens.
Denvil F. Chandler
In the early 1940s, Denvil F. Chandler began a part-time business called Denvil F. Chandler Fabricating Plywood Products, which became a full-fledged business in 1944. Chandler manufactured many different styles of wood cabinets and helped pioneer plastic top usage.
Robert E. Crowl, CKD
Throughout his long career in the kitchen and bath industry, Robert E. Crowl, CKD has been an active NKBA member. He founded the Iowa/Nebraska/Kansas Chapter in 1977 and held several officer roles.
Miles Woodall, Jr.
Miles Woodall, Jr., is considered a pioneer in the kitchen ventilation industry. His company, Vent-A-Hood, developed the “Magic Lung” squirrel cage blower system, and was the first of many early distributors to set up showrooms with inventories and to recruit office staff and installation specialists.
Arthur Wenger
Arthur Wenger founded the kitchens and bath manufacturer, Quaker Maid, in 1950, remaining its president until 1970. Wenger was committed to innovative style, construction and manufacturing techniques. He often led the industry in establishing new trends such as patented spin-it cabinets and over-the-toilet bath hutches, which have since become industry standards.
1993
W. Dwight Gahm
Dwight Gahm founded Kitchen Kompact, Inc., one of the fastest growing and most successful companies in the industry. Under his leadership, the company grew from a local cabinet shop into a modern 600,000-square-foot manufacturing facility.
Raymond Martino, Jr., CKD
Raymond Martino, Jr. had a career that spanned more than 40 years and during this time he built a successful dealer organization, helped drive design and product trends, and was a leader in devising creative sales and design strategies. Martino was one of the first NKBA members to become a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD).
Alfred Moen
Inventor Alfred Moen developed the first single-handle washerless mixing faucet in 1937. Today, over 40 percent of American homes have these faucets, considered an industry standard. Moen, who retired from Moen, Inc. in 1982, holds 75 patents and most are related to enhancements in plumbing products.
1992
Ellen M. Cheever, CKD, CBD, ASID
Well-known for her command of the kitchen and bathroom industry, Ellen M. Cheever, CKD, CBD, ASID, authored textbooks and courses used by NKBA to train industry professionals. Under her leadership, important research into kitchen/bathroom planning was conducted, and the industry’s technical manuals were created and/or revised.
Klaus Paradies
As the first Executive Director of the Association of Kitchen and Bath Dealers (AIKD, now NKBA), Klaus Paradies was instrumental in helping set the direction for the newly formed association. His ingenuity and foresight led to the development of training schools and the NKBA Design Competition.
1991
Richard Chapman
Richard Chapman began selling kitchen cabinets in 1922 as a door-to-door salesman. In 1926, he joined Mutschler Brothers and would remain there for 53 years. Through his efforts, the firm’s distributor network was established, and several Mutschler assembly plants were launched across the country. He was also a founder and the first president of the National Kitchen Cabinet Association (now KCMA).
Allan Dresner, CKD
Allan Dresner, CKD was involved with the NKBA from its inception, and even provided a place for the founders to conduct their meetings. When NKBA (then AIKD) instituted its industry schools, Dresner helped develop programs and conducted a number of NKBA-sponsored schools for distributors. He was also a charter member of NKBA’s Council of Wholesale Distributors.
Leon Johnson, CKD
Leon Johnson began specializing in kitchen design and remodeling in the early 1950s. Later that decade, he initiated periodic meetings of Boston-area kitchen and bath designers for the purpose of improving their mutual effectiveness in the local market area. Johnson was a strong supporter of the establishment of NKBA (then AIKD), helped organize its Northern New England Chapter, and served on the council of Societies Board of Governors for a number of years.
Alex Manoogian
In 1929, Alex Manoogian founded a screw machine business that grew to become the kitchen and bath industry giant known today as Masco Corporation. In 1954, he obtained product rights for the single handle faucet and introduced it under the Delta Faucet name. Now the world’s largest faucet producer, Masco also produces many kitchen and bath products, including decorative plumbing and hardware, fixtures, appliances, cabinets and more.
Marvin Weisberger, CKD
As the fifth president of the NKBA, Marvin Weisberger guided the association for three years, from 1969-1972, the longest term held by any NKBA president. Under his leadership, many programs and services were initiated that serve the industry today.
1990
Rich Bailey, CKD
Rich Bailey, CKD, introduced the idea of the trash compactor to the kitchen and bath industry in the mid-1950s with the development of a water hydraulic unit. His water-powered model, which fit in an 18-inch base cabinet, appeared in the 1960 edition of Better Homes & Gardens Kitchen Ideas. In 1961, he developed a 12-inch wide electric hydraulic unit.
Robert A. Cuccaro, CKD
An NKBA long-standing member, Robert A. Cuccaro was active in the formation of the association’s Northern New England Chapter. He served on the NKBA Board of Directors from 1972 to 1989, helped organize the Council of Manufacturers’ Representatives, and was the council’s vice president from 1985 to 1987.
Orville and Ruth Merillat
In 1946, Orville and Ruth Merillat started Merillat Woodworking Co. in a 2,400-square-foot building next to their Adrian, Mich. home. The company became Merillat Industries in 1971, and grew to become one of the largest firms in the kitchen cabinet industry.
Robert L. Wieland, CKD
An original founder of NKBA (then AIKD), Robert L. Wieland has been an active member of the association’s Board of Directors since the beginning, and was its second president. Recognized as the first Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD), he served as Chairman of the Society of Certified Kitchen Designers from its inception in 1967 to 1976. Wieland also demonstrated design excellence throughout his career, having won 34 national design awards.
Dr. Ralph Wilson, Jr.
A founding shareholder and former director of Ralph Wilson Plastics Co., Dr. Ralph Wilson, Jr. encouraged the development of new plastic laminate products, which have contributed to the creative license of kitchen and bathroom design. He also established WILSONART’s two-week order fulfillment system.