Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast

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In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Kelly Victor-Burke, co-owner of Burke Architectural Millwork, and Mark Smith, longtime educator and now brand ambassador for Microvellum, to dive deep into a topic shaping the future of our industry: registered apprenticeships.

From the challenges of finding and developing talent to creating a nationally recognized pathway for careers in woodworking and millwork, Kelly and Mark break down how the industry can solve its workforce crisis, one apprentice at a time.

This episode isn’t just about attracting young talent. It’s about building a sustainable future for woodworking by creating formal systems that train, certify, and empower the next generation.

About Our Guests

• Kelly Victor Burke is a co-owner of Burke Architectural Millwork in Michigan and a passionate workforce advocate. She led the creation of the nation’s first Woodwork Manufacturing Specialist Registered Apprenticeship Program and was appointed by the U.S. Department of Labor as an official Apprenticeship Ambassador in 2022.
• Mark Smith is a career educator with over 30 years of experience teaching industrial technology and wood programs. A former national director for WoodLINKS USA, Mark is now a brand ambassador for Microvellum, where he continues to advocate for training and apprenticeship pathways in woodworking.

Where to Learn More

• Apprenticeship Background Document: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1svq2QPs8pWhqzwdrTuRQ6GKVtv5ClDrw/view?usp=drive_link
• Woodwork Installation Specialist Apprenticeship Survey: https://forms.gle/igYy57HFT35RDH7R8
• Company Websites:
  • http://www.burkemillwork.com/
  • https://www.microvellum.com/
• Social Media & Professional Contacts:
  • Kelly’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-victor-burke-451aa35/
  • Mark’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marksmitheducate/
  • Burke Architectural Millwork LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/burke-architectural-millwork/
  • Microvellum LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/microvellum/
  • Kelly’s Email: [email protected]

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In this episode of Verify Infield, host Jacob Edmond sits down with returning guest Kevin Fassnacht, owner of Fine Point Cabinetry, to explore what it really looks like to level up from a successful one-man shop to running a growing business.

Kevin shares the story of acquiring another millwork shop, taking on new overhead, new equipment, and a seasoned craftsman as part of his team, all to push his business to the next stage. This isn’t a highlight reel; it’s a raw look at the mindset shifts, financial bets, and operational changes needed to evolve from skilled craftsman to strategic business owner.

If you’re a shop owner or millwork entrepreneur wondering “Should I scale up—or stay small?” this episode is packed with valuable firsthand insight.

About Our Guest

Kevin Fassnacht is the owner of Fine Point Cabinetry, based in Pennsylvania. Known for his meticulous approach to cabinetry and his authentic, behind-the-scenes presence on Instagram, Kevin has spent over a decade building a business that balanced craftsmanship and lifestyle. Now, with the acquisition of a larger shop, new high-end equipment, and an experienced team member, he’s navigating the next level of growth, turning a thriving solo operation into a true production shop.

Resources & Where to Find Kevin

• Kevin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-fassnacht-343594124/
• Fine Point Cabinetry Website: https://www.finepointcabinetry.com/
• Fine Point Cabinetry Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fine_point_cabinetry/?hl=en

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In this episode of Verify Infield, host Jacob Edmond sits down with James Drury, Director of Training and Development at Master Millwork, to talk about the mindset, methods, and mission behind developing new talent in the millwork industry.

From humble beginnings building concierge desks during hotel off-seasons to leading Microvellum training at the national level, James shares his journey through the trades—and how it’s shaped his approach to mentoring, process-building, and problem-solving in today’s millwork shops.

Whether you’re trying to grow your team, modernize your onboarding, or attract younger talent, this episode is full of firsthand insights and actionable takeaways.

About Our Guest

James Drury is a seasoned millwork engineer, former Microvellum service provider, and current Director of Training & Development at Master Millwork. He’s built everything from restaurant bars to technical onboarding programs and has helped dozens of shops adopt Microvellum, improve training processes, and cultivate new talent. Today, James leads training initiatives that scale knowledge, promote mentorship, and align teams with the high standards required in custom commercial millwork.

Where to Learn More

• Connect with James on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdrury-mmw/
• Learn more about Master Millwork: 
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mastermillwork/
  • Website: https://www.mastermillwork.com/

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In Part 2 of this Verify Infield conversation, host Jacob Edmond and guest John Van Erem, Executive VP at Adams Group, dive deeper into the real-world strategies that separate high-profit millwork companies from the rest.

This episode goes beyond definitions and digs into plant vs. non-plant produced work, install pitfalls, margin per hour, and the silent killer—slippage. If your shop’s profitability feels like a mystery at the end of every year, this one gives you the math, the mindset, and the metrics to make real change.

About Our Guest

John Van Erem is a financial strategist and operations expert at Adams Group. He’s also an instructor with AWI, where he teaches cost modeling and project management with a no-BS, results-first approach. John is passionate about helping millwork teams use real numbers—not guesses—to improve margin, productivity, and profitability across the board.

Where to Learn More

• Get the full PowerPoint presentation here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cvF34bmYwQ9qYi8Wq8Mq0Wgram-H-kKt/view?usp=sharing
• Find out more about the AWI Cost of Doing Business Survey: https://awinet.org/codbs/
• Learn more about Adams Group: https://discoveradams.com/
• Follow John on social media 
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnvanerem/

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In this episode of Verify Infield, host Jacob Edmond sits down with returning guest John VanErem, Executive VP at Adams Group, to break down the financial fundamentals every millwork company should understand, but many overlook.

This isn’t just another chat about spreadsheets. John brings real-world clarity to the concepts of revenue recognition, cost tracking, and contribution margin, using real data from the AWI Cost of Doing Business Survey. If you're a project manager, estimator, engineer—or just trying to understand how the money actually flows—this is the episode for you.

About Our Guest

John Van Erem is the Executive Vice President at Adams Group and an AWI instructor, known for his practical approach to millwork finance. With years of experience managing complex projects and leading financial analysis, John is passionate about helping millwork teams—from the shop floor to the C-suite—understand the numbers behind the work.

Where to Learn More

• Get the full PowerPoint presentation here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cvF34bmYwQ9qYi8Wq8Mq0Wgram-H-kKt/view?usp=sharing
• Find out more about the AWI Cost of Doing Business Survey: https://awinet.org/codbs/
• Learn more about Adams Group: https://discoveradams.com/
• Follow John on social media: 
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnvanerem/

Final Thoughts

If the math ain’t mathing at your shop, this episode will help you decode why and what you can do about it. Whether you're tracking hours, chasing change orders, or trying to justify a raise, understanding revenue and margin is critical to your success and your company's future.

📌 Stay tuned for Part 2: High-Profit Habits

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In this episode of Verify Infield, host Jacob Edmond talks with Dave Doran, the inventor of a game-changing Z clip system and the founder of Seven Degree Solutions. After more than 25 years in high-end millwork installation, Dave saw firsthand how much time and effort was wasted shimming wall panels by hand—and decided to do something about it.

What began as a sketch in Bluebeam and a prototype in his garage has now become a patented system used by leading shops in the Bay Area and beyond. With a clever beveled clip and horseshoe shim combo, Dave’s innovation simplifies installation, saves time, and eliminates the frustration of misaligned panels.

About Our Guest

Dave Doran is a seasoned project manager and millwork installer with a deep background in architectural woodwork. He began his career as an apprentice with Design Workshops in the Bay Area and now works for a major general contractor managing large-scale projects—including OpenAI’s new headquarters in San Francisco.

Drawing on decades of hands-on experience (and a family legacy in the trades), Dave developed the Seven Degree Z Clip System—a refined, field-tested solution for faster and more accurate panel installation. His mission? Make installation smarter and simpler for the next generation of tradespeople—including his own son, now a union apprentice.

Where to Learn More

Explore Seven Degree Solutions, watch demo videos, or request a free sample:

• 🌐 Home - 7 Degree Solutions
  • 📦 Request a sample or place a quote directly from the site
• Connect with Dave Doran on LinkedIn
• Follow 7 Degree Solutions in LinkedIn

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In this episode of Verify Infield, host Jacob Edmond sits down with the family team behind Rise Up Label—founder Brad Klingman and his daughters Kalli and Hannah—to explore how a simple but powerful solution is changing how cabinet and millwork shops manage labeling.

With decades of experience and a heart for service, Brad shares the story of how Rise Up Label was born from a real need in the woodworking industry: finding labels that stick when they’re supposed to and come off clean every time. Alongside Kalli and Hannah, who are bringing modern marketing energy to the business, the Rise Up team is showing how a small family company can make a massive difference.

About Our Guests

Brad Klingman started in the paper and forms business in the 1990s, supplying everything from office products to labels. Over the years, he became a trusted solutions provider for cabinet shops and millwork companies needing better label performance—especially for wood surfaces that require clean removability for finishing. In 2019, Brad launched Rise Up Label, focusing exclusively on creating high-performance, residue-free labeling solutions for the woodworking industry.

Today, with his daughters Kalli and Hannah leading marketing, customer engagement, and business development, Rise Up Label is expanding rapidly across North America and beyond—while staying true to their small business values of integrity, service, and relationship-building.

Where to Learn More

Explore Rise Up Label’s solutions, request samples, or connect directly:
- Website: https://www.riseuplabel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riseupenterprise/
- Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557645572567
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/riseuplabel/

- Tiktok: riseuplabel (@riseuplabels) | TikTok

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In this episode of 'Verify in Field,' host Jacob Edmond welcomes back guest Jonah Coleman for a third installment to discuss the significant news of Innergy's acquisition of Microvellum. The episode delves into the strategic and cultural alignment between the two companies, emphasizing their shared focus on the woodworking industry and software solutions. Jonah highlights how the acquisition will enable both companies to address industry challenges more effectively, introduce new technological advancements, and improve customer experiences. Key topics include the integration of Microvellum's extensive product library into Innergy's design software, shared technological benefits such as improved nesting algorithms, and long-term plans for innovation. The discussion also touches on the crucial role of education in the industry and how both companies aim to enhance training and support for their users.

About Our Guest

Jonah Coleman is the Head of Product at Innergy, a leading cloud-native ERP and design software company built specifically for the woodworking and millwork industries. With a background as an engineer, Jonah brings a unique perspective to product development—grounded in hands-on shop experience and visionary thinking. His passion for solving complex industry problems is evident in his work and his mission: to create raving fans by delivering smarter, faster solutions for millwork teams.

Where to Learn More
Explore the partnership, read the open forums, or request a demo of Innergy or Microvellum:

- Jonah's first episode: https://duckworksmw.com/podcasts/jonah-coleman-part-1-of-2-millwork-engineering-department-structures/
- Jonah's second episode: https://duckworksmw.com/podcasts/jonah-coleman-part-2-of-2-innergys-new-design-software/
- Learn more about Innergy: innergy.com
- Learn more about Microvellum: microvellum.com
- Microvellum Forums: https://community.microvellum.com/portal/en/community/recent

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In this episode, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Negus Negesti, also known as the Millwork Drafter, to discuss his newly released book, 'The Freelancers Guide to Millwork Drafting.' Negus shares his extensive experience in the millwork industry, detailing his journey from a truck loader to an expert drafter with over 20 years of experience. The conversation explores the 'three pillars of drafting'—drafting the right thing, drafting the thing right, and drafting fast—and offers insights into how these principles apply to the millwork drafting process. Negus also discusses the importance and challenges of freelance drafting in the industry and shares his vision for the future, including advancements in technology like virtual reality and point cloud systems. Tune in to learn from Negus's rich experiences and valuable advice on succeeding in the competitive world of millwork drafting.

About Our Guest

Negus Negesti is a seasoned professional in the millwork industry with over two decades of experience. His career began in 2002 on the shop floor of a contract furniture company and evolved into a path that now includes national projects, training outsourcing teams, and writing The Freelancer’s Guide to Millwork Drafting. Based on the East Coast, Negus has worked for high-end millwork firms like Allen Architectural Millwork in New York, gaining fast-paced, high-pressure experience that shaped his understanding of the full project lifecycle.

More from our Guest:

Negus’s book, The Freelancer’s Guide to Millwork Drafting, is available now on Amazon and at themillworkdrafter.com. Whether you’re building your drafting team or just getting started in the industry, it’s a must-read roadmap from someone who’s done it all.

Connect with Negus Online

• Instagram
• LinkedIn

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Welcome to another episode of Verify in Field, the Millwork podcast.
In today's episode, we have the pleasure of speaking with Chris Brooks, the Division President at Wood Systems. Chris has had an intriguing journey from starting in the food and beverage industry to becoming a leader in the millwork sector. With experience spanning operations and project management, Chris has been instrumental in integrating two facilities at Wood Systems, bringing together different cultures and processes to operate as one cohesive unit.

Join us as we dive into the unique challenges of merging multi-site operations, the importance of aligning team efforts around a shared set of goals, and the key role that people play in the success of our industry. Chris shares insights on managing customer relationships, adapting to ever-evolving technological advancements, and the critical importance of communication and trust in building successful projects. This episode is packed with valuable lessons for anyone in the millwork industry.
Let's dive in!

About Our Guest

Chris Brooks is a highly skilled professional known for his expertise in multi-site business integration and management. With a wealth of experience in leading complex projects, Chris excels at unifying diverse teams and processes to achieve cohesive operational success. His ability to navigate cultural differences within organizations and his strategic approach to aligning goals make him a valuable asset in any business setting. Chris is committed to fostering collaboration and driving efficiency across various operational environments.

Listen to the episode

What You’ll Learn

00:00 From Restaurants to Millwork Transition

03:52 From Operations to Leadership Transition

08:46 "Aligning Similarities, Addressing Differences"

09:56 Begin Projects with Process Integration

13:53 Streamlining Engineering and Production Processes

16:32 Optimizing Dual Assembly Line Operations

21:04 Collaborative Resource Management Strategies

24:26 Learn to Commit to Consistency

28:20 Millwork Industry's Future and Opportunities

29:13 Balancing Automation with Human Roles

33:14 Building Trust for Efficient Manufacturing

35:53 Inside Our Facility: Collaborative Insights

39:44 Tech Career Insights for Youth

More from Chris Brooks:

• Brad Cairns – LinkedIn
• Stolbek Machines – LinkedIn
• Stolbek Machines – Web

Follow Us On:

• Apple
• Spotify
• Youtube

More from DuckWorks Millwork Solutions:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Facebook

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If you like Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast …

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Share The Love:

If you like Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast …

Never miss an episode by subscribing via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or by RSS!