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KBB Announces 2020 Person of the Year


Photos by Colleen Scott Photography

September 2, 2020

We are thrilled to announced the winning lineup of our second-annual Kitchen & Bath Business Person of the Year initiative. Just like last year, we had an amazing round of nominees – those who are making an impact with their innovation, influence and dedication.The KBB editors again recognized one Person of the Year and six Praiseworthy Picks, all of whom strive to make a significant difference in our industry.

KBB’s 2020 PERSON OF THE YEAR: Veronica Solomon, Casa Vilora Interiors

I was introduced to this designer virtually through another mover and shaker in our industry, Cheryl Kees Clendenon. She had told Veronica Solomon about an article I was working on about nurturing and working with a younger generation,which is a topic near and dear to both of them.Shortly thereafter, we covered Solomon’s own kitchen renovation – an amazing but affordable transformation of a builder-grade space.

The Jamaican designer says her clients often choose to work with her after they see the bold and beautiful photos of her work on her website and social media pages – even if they do not necessarily want her to go “all out”in their kitchens and baths. Another reason potential clients and peers gravitate to Solomon is because she has dedicated herself to her community, to her industry and to the younger generation.

After years of self-education, the designer started her own firm – Casa Vilora Interiors – in 2007. She started her blog Lux Living Weekly in 2010 with simple design tips and room tours. Now its topics are more about edu- cating consumers because she says they have access to so much info online, and it is not always accurate.She focuses on realistic project budgets and time frames – things that may otherwise be awkward to discuss in person.

Click HERE for our one-on-one interview with Solomon.

 

KBB’s 2020 PRAISEWORTHY PICKS

 

Zach Elkin

As general manager for Signature Kitchen Suite and LG Builder, Elkin was pivotal in the creation of the SKS Experience & Design Center in Napa, Calif.an education and experiential hub for industry professionals. The center won an NKBA Showroom of the Year Award in 2020, and the brand was also honored with the NKBA 2020 Chairman’s Award. Elkin and the SKS team are huge advocates of the kitchen and bath community, and one way they give back to todays younger professionals is by supporting the NKBA Thirty Under 30 program.

Steve Feldman

Feldman is founder and CEO of Renovation Angel, whose benchmark achievements include 7,000+ kitchens recycled,$25+ million in new recycling jobs created, 40+ million pounds diverted from landfills and $2.3+ million materials distributed to charities. At the 2020 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS)Renovation Angel with the NKBA launched the first Luxury Kitchen Recycling Awards as a way to showcase what Feldman recognizes as design/build professionals who have incorporated luxury kitchen recycling as a best practice.

 

 

Scott Koehler

Although he has been in the kitchen design industry for 31 years, the designer took a two-year hiatus to get some experience in video production, 3D printing and cloud computing. Koehlers interest in mobile technology since then has only flourished. He founded Dream Kitchen Builders in 2015 and has operated it with his iPhone ever sinceThrough innovations like a mobile virtual assistant, the designer says he can talk to his computer any time of the day and get business assistance on the spot.

 

 

Ariana Lovato

This certified designer was our most nominated industry go-getter this year. Lovato, who founded Honeycomb Home Design in 2016, earned the coveted NKBA Thirty Under 30 earlier this year at KBISShe started a company initiative called Honeycomb Gives Back in 2018 to support her community and provide a room makeover for a child with special needs. She is also the president of Girls Going Greater, a local nonprofit that supports women and children in need. The initiative hosts three events annually to help fundraise for other nonprofits.

Photo by Kacie Jones Photography

Sol Quintana

Originally from Argentina, the designer recently took the leap of opening her own San Diego-based firm – Sol Quintana DesignWhen the pandemic hit, she was worried her business would be negatively affected, but she has actually welcomed an influx of work. Quintana and a former colleague co-founded Pigment-O, a group of professionals from all over the world that guides other designers in starting their own businesses. Other goals include supporting members through project collaboration and sub-contracting one another for specific tasks.

Photo by Doug Ellis Photography

 

Doug Walter

The architect is known throughout the industry as a kitchen lighting guru, and he has taught extensively on the subject since 1987. His most recent two-hour Lighting Collegeworkshop at KBIS 2020 was one of the shows top-rated seminars. Walter has been a member of the NKBA Rocky Mountain Chapter since 2002, and he presented Lighting the Healthy Home in May for the association’s webinar series. He also helped create the NKBA course with the most current information to help members gain their Lighting Badge.

-By Chelsie Butler