KBB’s Person of the Year competition honors those who are passionate, innovative and influencing the kitchen and bath industry in a positive way. We encourage you to nominate yourself or a peer who is a go-getter in our industry for the 2024 competition. Nominations for the 2024 Person of the Year are open from June 21 until Sept. 19. The overall Person of the Year winner and any others to be considered will be decided upon by a team of editors and featured in our November/December 2024 issue.
Here’s a look at last year’s esteemed winners!
2023 Person of the Year
Nureed Saeed, Owner & Creative Director, Nu Interiors, California & New Jersey
Nureed Saeed stands out as our 2023 winner for many reasons, and her passion for diversity, equity and inclusion in the design industry is at the top of the list. She is an active writer and speaker on the topic – appearing in a plethora of publications and podcasts – and feels it is important to not only talk the talk but to also walk the walk. Saeed became interested in DEI for personal reasons while she was growing up and wants it to be a part of everything she does.
2023 Praiseworthy Picks
Karen Hockley, Owner, Kitchens by Karen, Enola, Pa.
We chose Karen Hockley as the “Curriculum Star” because in the last year alone, she has written and presented more than 20 classes for her peers. She is also the host of two Facebook groups dedicated to the industry – Cabinets 101 and the Kitchen & Bath Dealer Pack.
Glenn Kross, COO, Coastal Countertops Group, Bridgeville, Del.
Glenn Kross is our “Agent of Change,” as he has completely rebranded his company, which resulted in a drastic increase in revenue. He also increased the group’s digital presence with five new websites and social media platforms.
Jared Chevraux, EVP, JTEK Solutions Group, North Canton, Ohio
Jared Chevraux was chosen as our “Accessibility Advocate” for his blending of compassion and compliance with his commitment to universal design. He is a Certified Environmental Access Consultant and writes a pro-bono series for Special Needs Living Magazine.
Michael Menn, President, AIA, CGR/CGP, CAPS, Michael Menn Ltd., Northbrook, Ill.
This architect is named our “Peer Favorite & Industry Pillar,” having received more than 10 nominations. Michael Menn has spent his career mentoring and his colleagues and being a coach to small business owners.
Sophia Amiano, Lead Designer, Amiano & Son, Design-Build, Southampton Township, N.J.
This designer was chosen as our “Go-Getter” since she has taken the industry by storm since her arrival just five years ago. Responsible for the upkeep of her firm’s two showroom locations, Sophia Amiano has cultivated the design of one of them from start to finish.
Wendy Glaister, Principal, Wendy Glaister Interiors, Modesto, Calif.
Wendy Glaister is our “Connector” for creating the Interior Design Society Designer Experience at KBIS in 2021, an initiative that is still going strong. Her goal was to help her interior designer colleagues successfully navigate the world of kitchen and bath in a friendly, non-challenging way.
Mark Conacher, Director, Liberty Fitting Service Ltd, U.K.
Mark Conacher was named our “Skilled Trades Champion” because he walks their talk in the K&B industry. His passion for this pursuit began as a teenager when he started his own trades journey, knowing there would be a deficit many years later.
Jessica Hannesson, Owner, Hannesson Home Interiors, Billings, Mont.
Jessica Hannesson is the “Business Buff” because she has been pivotal in the success of her kitchen and bath-turned full-service interior design firm. She also built an app to help organize the firm’s inventory process and secured a larger location for its Made for Home retail store.
