Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast

By Jacob EdmondBusiness Education Arts

Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast episodes

October 28 Inside the DuckWorks and UPSA Design Build Lab with Santiago Solis
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Introduction
In this episode, host Jacob Edmond and DuckWorks managing director Nicolae Cespedes sit down with Santiago Solis, the instructor in charge of the Fab Lab at UPSA, the university in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. Together, they talk about the Design Build Lab, a partnership between DuckWorks and UPSA that puts DuckWorks drafters and engineers in the shop alongside UPSA students to build what they draw. Santiago shares how the Fab Lab works, how his students responded to the program, and how the lab has already shaped UPSA's own curriculum. Along the way, the conversation covers why DuckWorks went looking for shop access in the first place, how each Build Squad is structured like a real project with a real client, why mistakes on the shop floor have become one of the most valuable parts of the program, and the gap between on-site cabinet building in Bolivia and the prefabricated, AWI standard work DuckWorks does for its clients. Whether you train drafters, teach design, or want to understand why shop experience matters for anyone drawing millwork, this conversation shows what happens when education and industry build together.
About Our Guest
Santiago Solis leads the Fab Lab at UPSA in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. He joined the university four years ago as a part-time professor teaching one or two subjects, moved into a full-time teaching role, and later joined the university's administration before taking charge of the Fab Lab. His own area is industrial design. The Fab Lab sits under FADU, UPSA's architecture and design school, while also working with the university's commercial side on supplies and machine maintenance. It is open to the whole university and is used most by students in engineering, industrial design, fashion design, graphic design, and architecture, with equipment that ranges from manual hand tools to 3D printing, laser cutting, and CNC. In the Design Build Lab, Santiago supports the DuckWorks team with guidance on tools and machines, quality control, safety, and how to structure the training itself.
Where to Learn More
UPSA: https://www.upsa.edu.bo/
UPSA Industrial Design Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/difadu.upsa/
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32 min
October 14 Volodymyr on Building AI That Reads Architectural Drawings
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Introduction
In this episode, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Volodymyr Hresko, co-founder and COO of Coxit, an engineer led AI and machine learning development shop that builds custom AI for document and drawing heavy workflows. Volodymyr walks through Coxit's path from software development into AI, how the company's work with Stevens Industries brought them into the millwork industry, and what they have learned from building CaseVBench, their benchmark for testing how well different AI models read architectural and casework drawings. They also get into how shop owners should think about choosing and switching between AI models, protecting sensitive project data, and where machine learning still beats general AI for high volume, repeatable tasks. Whether you are experimenting with AI for takeoffs or just trying to understand what is realistic today, this conversation lays out the tradeoffs clearly.
About Our Guest
Volodymyr Hresko is co-founder and COO of Coxit, an AI and machine learning development company he started with his co-founder Irina seven years ago. He holds a computer science degree and worked as a full stack software engineer before completing a master's degree in management and finance. Coxit's work began with C++ projects for radio companies in the United States, moved into Python development, then machine learning, and shifted into AI as the technology matured. Volodymyr and his team have spent the past several years applying that experience to manufacturing, starting with a machine learning project for Stevens Industries before the current AI boom and growing into a company that now spends the majority of its time on AI and machine learning work for manufacturers. He is based in Lisbon, Portugal, while Coxit's roughly 40 person team is anchored in Lviv, Ukraine, with additional staff working internationally.
Where to Learn More
Volodymyr's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vovgre/
Coxit Website: https://coxit.co/
https://coxit.co/industry/manufacturing/
CaseVBench: casevbench.com
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43 min
September 30 Inside REHAU's Evolution with Jesse Collins
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Introduction
In this episode, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Jesse Collins, Director of Marketing and Product Management at REHAU, to talk about how the company has grown from an edgeband manufacturer into a full decorative surfaces and cabinet door provider. Jesse shares her 17 year journey at REHAU, starting as an intern and working her way into leading both marketing and product strategy for the company's Millwork Solutions division. Together, they cover polymer technology, the REHAU Laser Edge and zero joint edgebanding, how European design trends get filtered for the North American market, sustainability, and how REHAU approaches marketing in an industry that still runs largely on word of mouth. Whether you manufacture cabinets, specify materials, or just want to understand what is changing in millwork products, this conversation is full of practical detail.

About Our Guest
Jesse Collins is the Director of Marketing and Product Management for REHAU's Millwork Solutions division. She grew up around the company, her mother worked at REHAU for 32 years, and Jesse started as an intern doing odd jobs while still in high school before taking on a more formal internship in college. She joined REHAU full time right out of college and has spent the past 17 years building her career there, starting on the edgeband side of the business in a marketing coordinator role and gradually taking on more responsibility across branding, communications, and product management. Two months before this conversation, she took over product management for REHAU's decorative surfaces and cabinet door materials, a move built on her deep product knowledge and her early hands on experience with the business.

Where to Learn More
Website: https://www.rehau.com/us-en/millwork
Jesse's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesse-collins-9144b96a/
REHAU's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rehauinterior/posts/?feedView=all
REHAU's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rehauinterior/
REHAU's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rehau.interiors.na/
REHAU Laser Edge: https://www.rehau.com/us-en/millwork/edging/zero-joint
REHAU Edgeband: https://www.rehau.com/us-en/millwork/edging
REHAU Interior Surfaces: https://www.rehau.com/us-en/millwork/surfaces

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48 min
September 16 Inside IWF 2026
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In this episode, host Jacob Edmond breaks down his takeaways from IWF 2026 in Atlanta, covering the wave of software consolidation reshaping the millwork industry alongside a surprising surge of grassroots innovation happening at the same time. From the acquisitions reshaping Microvellum, EMOS, and Cabinet Vision to the rise of AI tools putting software development directly into shop owners hands, Jacob shares what he saw on the show floor, who is disrupting the market, and why this moment feels different from anything the industry has seen before. Whether you run a shop, specify software, or just want to know where millwork technology is headed next, this episode is packed with insight straight from the ground.

Where to Learn More
Grainwork: https://grainwork.io/
Phill Anton Consulting: https://www.phillanton.com/
Production Mirror: https://productionmirror.com/
Millwork Suite: https://www.millworksuite.com/
AWI National (2026 Annual Convention): https://awinet.org/mc-events/2026-awi-annual-convention/
CMA (Cabinet Makers Association): https://www.cabinetmakers.org/
IWF West: https://iwfwest.com/

Final Thoughts
IWF 2026 showed two trends unfolding side by side. The big software players are consolidating into a handful of dominant ecosystems, while individual shop owners and consultants are using AI to build their own solutions faster and cheaper than ever before. Jacob's biggest takeaway is that this tension, between roll ups at the top and grassroots innovation on the ground, is what will define where millwork technology goes next.
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21 min
September 02 Verify In Field - No episode this week
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There won't be a new episode of Verify In Field this week as we take a short break.
We'll be back on September 16 with a special episode featuring conversations and insights from IWF. We can't wait to share what we brought back from one of the biggest events in the millwork industry.
See you soon! 👋
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1 min
August 19 Brian Milburn on Solving Millwork's Biggest Field Challenges
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In this episode, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Brian Milburn, Vice President of Operations at Modular Millwork and founder of Praxon, a field operations software platform built specifically for the millwork industry. Having spent nearly three decades working his way from the shop floor to executive leadership, Brian shares how firsthand experience with installation, engineering, and operations inspired him to solve one of the industry's biggest challenges, managing what happens after the product leaves the shop.
Together, they discuss Brian's journey through commercial and residential millwork, the lessons he learned leading manufacturing teams, the realities of field operations, and how artificial intelligence helped him build software designed by millwork professionals, for millwork professionals. If you've ever struggled with field communication, documentation, scheduling, or protecting project profitability, this conversation offers practical insights from someone who has lived those challenges firsthand.
Where to Learn More
Modular Millwork
https://www.modularmillwork.com/
Connect with Brian Milburn on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-milburn-55613ab1/
Modular Millwork on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/modularmillwork/
Praxon
https://praxonops.com
Praxon on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/praxon/
Contact Brian
[email protected]

About Our Guest
Brian Milburn is the Vice President of Operations at Modular Millwork and the founder of Praxon, a field operations platform created to improve communication, documentation, scheduling, and accountability for millwork installation teams.
Raised in the woodworking industry by a cabinet maker, Brian began working in a millwork shop as a teenager and has spent nearly thirty years learning every aspect of the business, from building cabinets and running CNC equipment to engineering, estimating, production management, and executive leadership.
Throughout his career, Brian has helped lead both residential and commercial millwork companies, implementing operational improvements while developing a passion for engineering systems and technology. His latest venture, Praxon, was born directly from years of experiencing the challenges that millwork companies face every day in the field. His mission is simple, provide contractors with better tools to protect their projects, improve communication, and help the industry become more efficient.
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36 min
August 05 Becoming an Expert Still Matters with Ben Dipzinski
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In this episode, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Ben Dipzinski, President of Höcker North America, better known throughout the woodworking industry as The Dust Guy. From discovering his passion in a high school wood shop class to becoming one of North America's leading experts in industrial dust collection, Ben shares the experiences that shaped both his career and his leadership philosophy.
Together, they discuss what separates great woodworking companies from average ones, why proper dust collection is about much more than keeping a shop clean, how European engineering has influenced modern manufacturing, and why mentoring the next generation is one of the industry's biggest responsibilities. If you've ever wondered how expertise is built, or why continuous improvement still matters in today's manufacturing world, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

About Our Guest
Ben Dipzinski is the President of Höcker North America and is widely recognized throughout the woodworking industry as The Dust Guy. His career spans more than three decades across quality assurance, product development, machinery sales, industrial engineering, and dust collection system design.
After working with companies including Karona Door, Hackman Furniture, Stiles Machinery, and Miller Veneer, Ben introduced Höcker's European dust collection technology to North America, helping manufacturers improve safety, energy efficiency, and production performance.
Beyond engineering, Ben is passionate about mentorship, workforce development, and helping woodworking businesses build stronger teams. His dedication to continuous learning and technical excellence has earned him a reputation as one of the industry's leading voices in industrial dust collection.

Where to Learn More
🌐 Höcker North America
https://hockeramerica.com/
🛠️ Dust Collection Solutions
https://hockeramerica.com/products/dust-collection/
👤 Connect with Ben Dipzinski on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-dipzinski-57114a5/
🏢 Höcker North America on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/hocker-north-america/

Connect with Ben during IWF 2026 in their booth A10315: Hocker North America, LLC | IWF Atlanta 2026 Exhibitor

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51 min
July 22 From Furniture Design to Engineering the Impossible with Adam Kessler
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In this episode, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Adam Kessler, Design Engineer at SPM Design and former Education Manager at AWFS, to explore what it really means to engineer one of a kind projects. From custom millwork and themed conference rooms to waterfalls, sculptures, 3D printed components and immersive installations, Adam shares how creativity and engineering come together to solve problems that have no standard solution.
Drawing from a career that spans furniture design, project management, education and manufacturing, Adam discusses why hands on experience matters, how emerging technologies like 3D printing are changing the industry, and what the next generation of millwork professionals needs to succeed. Whether you are an engineer, designer, student or shop owner, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on problem solving, innovation and continuous learning.
About Our Guest
Adam Kessler is a Design Engineer at SPM Design, where he works on highly customized architectural and experiential projects that blend engineering with creative design. Before joining SPM Design, Adam served as Education Manager at AWFS, leading the Fresh Wood student competition and helping connect the next generation of woodworkers with the industry. He holds a degree in Furniture Design and brings experience in estimating, project management, product development and engineering. His passion for learning and tackling unique challenges has made him a respected voice in custom manufacturing and workforce development.
Where to Learn More
Adam Kessler on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-kessler-583b8a122/
AWFS Fair
https://awfsfair.org/
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40 min
July 08 From Drafting to Engineering Leadership with Jeff Richard
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In this episode, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Jeff Richard, Millwork Engineer at Dovetail Wood and Metal, Executive Secretary of the Texas AWI Chapter, and Technical Chair for Cabinetmaking at Texas SkillsUSA.
Jeff shares his journey from studying mechanical engineering technology to discovering millwork almost by accident. What started in a residential cabinet shop in Oregon eventually led him into commercial millwork, engineering leadership, CNC manufacturing, and industry volunteer work. Along the way, he discovered that great engineers are not defined by their degrees, but by their willingness to learn, solve problems, and help others grow.
Together, Jacob and Jeff discuss engineering education, commercial millwork, remote engineering, manufacturing processes, SkillsUSA, AWI, and why investing in the next generation is one of the most rewarding parts of a career.
About Our Guest
Jeff Richard is a Millwork Engineer at Dovetail Wood and Metal with nearly two decades of experience in residential and commercial millwork. His background spans drafting, estimating, project management, CNC programming, Cabinet Vision, Microvellum, AutoCAD, and manufacturing engineering.
Outside of his day job, Jeff serves as Executive Secretary of the Texas AWI Chapter and Technical Chair for Cabinetmaking at Texas SkillsUSA, where he helps develop future talent entering the woodworking and millwork industries.
His passion for teaching, mentoring, and continuous learning has made him a respected voice within the industry.
Where to Learn More
Dovetail Wood and Metal
https://www.dovetailwoodandmetal.com/
Texas AWI Chapter
https://texasawi.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-awi
SkillsUSA Texas
https://www.skillsusatx.org/
Architectural Woodwork Institute
https://www.awinet.org/
Listen to more Verify In Field episodes
https://verifyinfield.com/

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29 min
June 24 AI, CNCs, and the Next Era of Cabinet Manufacturing with Phill Anton
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In this episode, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Phil Anton of Phil Anton Consulting to explore the evolution of CNC, Mosaic software, and the future of AI in custom cabinet manufacturing. From cold calling cabinet shops to becoming one of the most trusted voices in the Mosaic community, Phil shares the journey that shaped his expertise.
Phil walks through his early years in high end architectural millwork, learning woodworking from the ground up, and eventually diving deep into CNC programming using Fusion 360. What began as shop floor experience turned into an obsession with process refinement, troubleshooting, and eliminating production pain points.
Today, Phil specializes in Mosaic consulting, CNC optimization, MDF door libraries, and now AI driven product development. This conversation dives into the realities of implementing CNC for the first time, the power of community in Mosaic, and why AI will not replace custom cabinet shops but will radically reshape how they operate.
If you are a shop owner, drafter, CNC operator, or software power user, this episode offers insight into where the industry is headed and how to position yourself for what is coming next.
About Our Guest
Phil Anton is the founder of Phil Anton Consulting and a leading consultant in the Mosaic software ecosystem. His background includes years of hands on experience in high end architectural millwork shops, where he developed deep expertise in CNC machining, parametric design, and production troubleshooting.
Phil transitioned from running CNC machines and managing production to consulting full time, helping cabinet shops refine their workflows, improve their libraries, and eliminate costly bottlenecks. He is also a product developer, building specialized MDF door libraries, closet systems, and AI powered tools designed to integrate with Mosaic.
Through his training, consulting, and software tools, Phil focuses on one goal, helping shops reduce pain, increase efficiency, and make more money.

Where to Learn More
Explore Phil’s training, products, and consulting services:
Phil Anton Consulting
https://philanton.com
Phill Anton´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phill-anton-663816a3/
Phill Anton Consulting LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/phill-anton-consulting/
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59 min

About Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Welcome to Verify In Field. Your host, Jacob Edmond, CEO of DuckWorks, will be interviewing experts in the architectural millwork industry to bring you insights and knowledge about updates,…