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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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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/

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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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