Last summer NKBA offered a LEVEL UP program that allowed members to level up their certification during the pandemic at no cost. If you were an AKBD or had already paid for the AKBD test, CKD or CBD you could take the test and level up to the new certification standards of CKBD and CMKBD. The opportunity to level up at no charge was a huge draw to those who had been procrastinating.  Did you embrace the opportunity to LEVEL UP? If you did, we, the Susquehanna Valley Chapter want to know so we can recognize your achievements. We know 4 of our members who Leveled up and we want to take this opportunity to recognize them. See their stories below to see what certification means to them.

Are you ready to start your certification journey? Now is the time, don’t put it off. The Susquehanna Valley Chapter is here to help you. If we can do it, so can you.

Visit https://kb.nkba.org/certification/certified-kitchen-bath-designers-ckbd/ to find out how you too can become a certified designer and add a level of professionalism to your career. The chapter is planning to start a study group to help you on your way. Be sure to look for more information on joining the upcoming study group.

Congratulations to Brian Miller CMKBD who leveled up from CKD, CBD to CMKBD (Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer). Brian is an award winning designer for Excel Remodeling in Lemoyne PA. He is also our fearless leader and the current president of the Susquehanna Valley Chapter and has served in other capacities on our board i.e. VP Membership, Government Relations, and Educational Study. Brian has a degree in Interior Design from the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He has been in the industry 17 years and says “I love telling clients I’m certified and have the knowledge to help them achieve the best design for their home. It’s always rewarding seeing your hard work and designs come to life and especially seeing the client’s reaction to the final look.”

Congratulations to elizaBeth Marcocci CMKBD who leveled up from CKD to CMKBD (Certified Master Kitchen & Bath Designer) She has a degree in Interior Design from St. Peterburg College and Florida State University. elizaBeth has over 30 years of design experience and enhanced her interior design career when she started specializing in kitchens & baths in 2000. She is a designer for Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry in Mechanicsburg PA.

Throughout her career she has received several design awards and has served the Susquehanna Valley Chapter as Chapter Rep, Chapter President, VP Membership and Co- Chair K & B month.

“Becoming a CMKBD has been a lifelong dream of mine. It’s been on my vision board for several years and when NKBA offered the opportunity to level up during the pandemic – I jumped at the chance. I’ve always considered myself a lifelong learner and can now cross this off my list as a personal & professional achievement and move on to another goal. I am proud to work with the team at Mother Hubbard’s to achieve projects that reflect great design, functionality and aesthetic creativity.”

Congratulations to Stacey Kocevar CKBD (Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer) who leveled up from AKBD. She has a degree in Interior Design from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Stacey is an award winning designer for Mother Hubbard’s Custom Cabinetry in Mechanicsburg PA.

“Let me start off by saying that I feel so blessed to have found out so early in life that my passion and my career are one in the same; being a kitchen and bath designer!  When I started out in the industry after college, I didn’t give much credit or thought to the importance of getting accredited by the NKBA.  I was successful and happy, so I didn’t think I needed it.  Then, after 11+ years of actively NOT striving toward any certification (read: being so afraid I would fail), I finally took the AKBD exam.  Guess what… I passed!!  It felt so rewarding to see those letters after my name; finally, I felt validation.  After too many years after my initial accredidation, I went for my next level of certification, CKBD, at the end of last year. It was due to the much-needed push of the “level-up” program provided by the NKBA.  This past December, after taking the exam and drawing portions of the kitchen and bath sections of the test, I received my CKBD appellation!  As I enter my 17^th year in the industry, I clearly see the importance of being a certified kitchen & bath designer.  The appellations given from the NKBA are not just handed out, they are earned.  Personal validation aside, I think it validates our industry.  The knowledge base that is gained, and then put into practice, due to what we need to know in order to pass these certification levels is evidence alone of how important it is to be a certified kitchen & bath designer through the NKBA.  I am now ACTIVELY striving toward my CMKBD appellation.

Congratulations to Lisa O’Brien CKBD (Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer) Lisa is an independent designer and owner of Lisa O’Brien Interior Design in Carlisle PA. Lisa has served the Susquehanna Valley Chapter as VP of Communications and is a graduate of the Art Institute of York in Interior Design.

“After being in the industry for 10 years I decided it was time to challenge myself with obtaining my NKBA kitchen and bath certification.  It was the perfect opportunity during these Covid times to do something to make oneself feel better, plus I like a challenge.  So, I embarked on the offer received from National to level one-up from studying for my AKBD appellation to going for my CKBD appellation.  It was one of the hardest "testing" experiences I had endured since college, but well worth the reward when the end result is receiving the email that says," Congratulations you passed and you're now a Certified Kitchen & Bath Designer." It still feels surreal, but I'm grateful I did it for myself and for my future as a designer in this industry.  Hard work, dedication, passion and experience does pay off even when you doubt you can - you got this!!”

By elizaBeth Marcocci CMKBD