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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/

Listen to more Verify In Field episodes
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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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In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond continues the conversation with Chris McClelland, Principal of Parliament Millwork, diving deep into CNC adoption, millwork software, and what it really takes to modernize a shop.

Chris shares the realities of moving from panel saw production to CNC manufacturing, and how that shift unlocked the time and capacity required to scale properly. He walks through his journey from eCabinets to Mozaik, the frustrations of software limitations, and the discipline required to truly learn a platform rather than fight it.

Together, Jacob and Chris unpack one of the most debated topics in millwork today, Mozaik versus Microvellum versus Cabinet Vision. Instead of marketing language, they discuss workflow, community support, user base differences, CAD first versus library first systems, and the practical implications for growing shops.

Chris explains how investing in a CNC was not just about automation, but about buying back time. He reflects on the importance of structured learning, including the Cadmate training path, and how understanding parameters and hierarchy changed how his shop operates.

This episode is not just about software. It is about mindset. It is about committing to modernization and accepting that growth requires discomfort.

About Our Guest

Chris McClelland is the Principal of Parliament Millwork, a dedicated millwork shop serving the Ottawa market.

After transitioning from general contracting into full scale manufacturing, Chris invested in a Thermwood CNC and evolved his workflow from entry level CAM solutions to a fully customized Mozaik library. His approach blends entrepreneurial risk tolerance with disciplined systems building.

Today, he focuses on production efficiency, parameter driven design, and building a shop that can scale intentionally.

Where To Learn More

Parliament Millwork
https://parliamentmillwork.com

Parliament Milwork´s Instagram: @parliamentmillwork

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Betting on Yourself in the Millwork Industry

In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Chris McClelland, Principal of Parliament Millwork, to explore the unconventional journey that led him from touring indie rock musician to running a modern millwork shop in Ottawa.

Chris shares how growing up in his dad’s woodshop sparked his early love for tools, how he built his first painting and renovation business straight out of high school, and how he learned new trades the way many entrepreneurs do, by saying yes first and figuring it out later.

From swapping his first light fixture after a weekend of YouTube research, to touring the world in a signed band, to walking out of a commercial construction job after writing his resignation letter on the spot, Chris’ story is about calculated risk, momentum, and knowing when to bet on yourself.

The turning point came when he saw how powerful drawings and visualization were in high level commercial projects. That realization pushed him deeper into millwork, where he applied his signature formula, do a job, buy a tool, repeat. What started as small built ins and IKEA installs eventually turned into a full commercial shop, a 5,000 square foot facility, and a complete restart across the country.

This episode dives into creativity, business, risk tolerance, and what it really means to build something from the ground up.

About Our Guest

Chris McClelland is the Principal of Parliament Millwork, a modern millwork shop based in the Ottawa Gatineau region. His background spans residential renovations, commercial construction, music touring, hospitality, and entrepreneurship.

Before founding Parliament Millwork, Chris ran his own renovation company in Vancouver, worked on high end commercial projects, and spent much of his twenties touring internationally in an indie rock band. His hands on mindset, willingness to learn quickly, and comfort with risk have shaped his approach to business and millwork.

Today, he leads a growing shop focused on process, tooling, visualization, and delivering high quality millwork at scale.
Where To Learn More

Parliament Millwork
https://parliamentmillwork.com

Parliament Milwork´s Instagram: @parliamentmillwork

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In this episode, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Weston Peters, second generation steward of Peters Cabinetry, a custom cabinet shop based in Ohio. Weston shares his journey from growing up in his father’s shop to stepping into leadership and helping modernize the business through systems, automation, and strategic thinking.

With nearly two decades in the trade, Weston reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped both his career and the direction of the company. From investing in CNC technology to outsourcing installs and redefining their product offerings, this conversation dives deep into what it takes to evolve a family business while honoring craftsmanship. Together, they explore topics such as automation versus tradition, empowering teams, process driven growth, and building a company that is sustainable without losing its identity.

Join us as we explore the mindset behind scaling a small shop with intention and clarity.

About Our Guest

Weston Peters is the second generation leader of Peters Cabinetry, a custom cabinet and millwork shop serving residential clients in Ohio. After gaining experience in construction and other trades, Weston returned to the family business in his early twenties with a vision to build systems, adopt technology, and grow strategically.

Over the past 18 years, he has helped expand the company’s capabilities through CNC integration, process development, outsourcing partnerships, and team empowerment. Weston is passionate about improving shop systems, developing skilled craftsmen, and helping the next generation see opportunity in the trades. His leadership blends respect for craftsmanship with a forward thinking approach to business.
Where to Learn More

Peters Cabinetry
https://peterscabinetry.com

Connect with Weston Peters on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weston-peters-29023b52/

Weston´s Blog: https://www.peterscabinetry.com/blog/before-you-buy-a-cnc

https://www.peterscabinetry.com/custom-select

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In this solo episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond reflects on the first ever Engineering Summit at AWI Spring Leadership in Las Vegas. What started as an idea to fill a long standing gap in the industry quickly turned into a record setting event with more than 200 attendees focused on one topic that has long been overlooked at conferences: Engineering.

Jacob shares where the idea came from, why engineering has historically been left out of industry conversations, and how this summit became a turning point for both AWI and the millwork community. More than just an event recap, this episode dives into the deeper issue facing shops across the country. Engineering is the bottleneck, and most companies are still trying to figure out how to solve it.

About This Episode

Unlike a typical interview format, this is a transparent and reflective solo session. Jacob walks through the inspiration behind the summit, the planning process, the speakers who helped bring it to life, and the unexpected lessons that came out of it. From engineering throughput and training challenges to AI adoption and leadership evolution, this conversation offers a candid look at where the industry stands and where it needs to go.

Where to Learn More

AWI National Website: https://awinet.org/
Verify in Field Podcast: https://vifpodcast.com/

Jacob´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobedmond/

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In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Tovi Spero, Education Director at the Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS), to explore the critical role of education in shaping the future of the woodworking and millwork industries. With a career rooted in teaching and technical education, Tovi shares how his journey from high school STEM instructor to industry advocate has positioned him at the forefront of workforce development.

Together, they discuss the growing talent shortage, the importance of early exposure to manufacturing careers, and how initiatives such as student competitions, CAD design programs, and partnerships with organizations like SkillsUSA are helping to build a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals. This episode offers valuable insights for shop owners, educators, and industry leaders who want to ensure the long-term success of the wood manufacturing sector.

About Our Guest

Tovi Spero is the Education Director at the Association of Woodworking and Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) and a lifelong educator dedicated to advancing career and technical education. His professional journey began as a high school STEM teacher, where he developed a passion for hands-on learning and student mentorship.

At AWFS, Tovi leads educational outreach initiatives, organizes the education conference at the AWFS Fair, supports the Fresh Wood student competition, and facilitates public policy advocacy for the woodworking industry. He also collaborates with organizations such as SkillsUSA to connect students with real-world career opportunities. Through his work, Tovi is committed to strengthening the talent pipeline and ensuring the continued growth of the wood manufacturing industry.

Where to Learn More

• AWFS Website: https://www.awfs.org
• AWFS Fair: https://www.awfsfair.org
• SkillsUSA: https://www.skillsusa.org
• Design-it-Digital student CAD competition: https://subscribepage.io/design-it-digital-2026
• Connect with Tovi in LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tovi-spero-physics/

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