Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast

Jacob Edmond

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, techniques, and challenges in millwork. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this podcast is for you.  Tune in biweekly on Wednesday for a new episode, and visit duckworksmw.com to join our growing community of millwork professionals.

  1. APR 15

    Building the Future of Woodworking with Tovi Spero

    Text us your feedback on the podcast! 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-2026Connect with Tovi in LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tovi-spero-physics/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!

    28 min
  2. Four Decades In. John Mercure on Risk and Resilience

    APR 1

    Four Decades In. John Mercure on Risk and Resilience

    Text us your feedback on the podcast! In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with John Mercure, President of Raydeo Enterprises, to explore four decades of leadership in architectural metals, millwork, and signage. From humble beginnings in neon signs to delivering complex scopes on stadiums, high rises, and major commercial projects, John shares the lessons that shaped his company and his philosophy on building. With nearly 40 years at the helm of Raydeo, John has navigated economic downturns, evolving general contractor dynamics, major technological shifts, and the increasing complexity of contract risk. Through it all, one principle has remained constant. Deliver the job. As John puts it, “One of our things is we've never failed. I ain't gonna tell you, we made money on everything, but we've never failed.”  About Our Guest John Mercure is the President and founder of Raydeo Enterprises, a multidisciplinary fabrication company specializing in architectural metals, millwork, and signage for large scale commercial construction. What began as a neon sign operation in the early eighties evolved into a full scope fabrication firm serving stadiums, hotels, high rises, museums, and corporate environments across the United States  Over the years, John expanded Raydeo through strategic reinvestment in technology, facilities, training, and people. Today, the company operates with approximately 85 to 100 employees in a 72,000 square foot facility, focused on complex projects that demand coordination, creativity, and precision  Where To Learn More Raydeo Enterprises: https://www.raydeo.com John Mercure´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-mercure-b081406/  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!

    38 min
  3. Leadership and Legacy in Millwork with Liz Ingebrigtsen

    MAR 4

    Leadership and Legacy in Millwork with Liz Ingebrigtsen

    Text us your feedback on the podcast! In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Liz Ingebrigtsen, Project Manager at Sprovieri’s Custom Counters and current Chair of the Board for the Architectural Woodwork Institute. With more than 15 years in the industry, Liz shares her journey from starting at the front desk during the height of the recession to becoming a respected industry leader at both the chapter and national level. Together, they explore the evolving role of AWI, the importance of industry involvement, and the real opportunities available for young professionals in millwork. This conversation goes beyond standards and titles. It is about ownership, workforce development, mentorship, and building a sustainable future for the trades. About Our Guest Liz Ingebrigtsen is a Project Manager at Sprovieri’s Custom Counters in the Chicago area and the current Chair of the Board for the Architectural Woodwork Institute. She has served for years on the Chicago Chapter board and recently stepped into national leadership. Liz began her career in the middle of the 2009 recession, taking a front desk position at a countertop company that would eventually become her long term professional home. Over the years she grew alongside the company as it expanded from residential work into large scale commercial fabrication. Through her involvement in AWI, she found not just professional growth but community, mentorship, and purpose within the millwork industry. Where to Learn More Architectural Woodwork Institute  https://awinet.org Sprovieri’s Custom Counters  https://sprovieris.com Connect with Lizz Ingebrigtsen on LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizingebrigtsen/  Blog: https://vifpodcast.com/leadership-and-legacy-in-millwork-with-liz-ingebrigtsen/↗  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!

    31 min
  4. Leading the Next Generation of Millwork with Madison Fuzzell

    FEB 18

    Leading the Next Generation of Millwork with Madison Fuzzell

    Text us your feedback on the podcast! In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Madison Fuzzell, Chief Operating Officer of Integrity Architectural Millwork, to explore what it looks like to step into leadership within a second generation millwork business. Madison shares her unconventional path into the industry, beginning with a corporate career in international supply chain and operations before joining her family’s millwork company. Together, they discuss the realities of succession planning, earning trust in a legacy shop, and introducing modern systems into an established operation. This conversation offers a candid look at leadership transitions, industry change, and the future of millwork from the perspective of a new generation of leaders.   About Our Guest Madison Fuzzell is the Chief Operating Officer at Integrity Architectural Millwork, a Nashville based millwork company founded by her father more than 40 years ago. Although she grew up around the business, Madison initially pursued a career outside the construction industry, studying business and working in international grocery supply chain operations in Germany and the United States. After years of experience building systems, managing logistics, and driving operational efficiency, Madison joined Integrity Architectural Millwork during a pivotal transition period. Since then, she has helped modernize processes, implement scheduling and documentation systems, and guide the company through growth, a new facility move, and leadership succession. She is also actively involved in AWI and industry organizations that support collaboration, education, and workforce development.   Where to learn more Integrity Architectural Millwork website https://www.integritymillwork.net/  Integrity Architectural Millwork Linkedln https://www.linkedin.com/company/integrity-architectural-millwork-inc./  Connect with Madison Fuzzell on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/madisonfuzzell/  Podcast blog:https://vifpodcast.com/leading-the-next-generation-of-millwork-with-madison-fuzzell/?utm_source=Buzzprout&utm_medium=Podcast  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!

    29 min
  5. Better Drawings, Better Builds: Jobsite Lessons with Katelyn Rossier

    FEB 4

    Better Drawings, Better Builds: Jobsite Lessons with Katelyn Rossier

    Text us your feedback on the podcast! Better Drawings, Better Builds: Jobsite Lessons with Katelyn Rossier In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Katelyn Rossier, a licensed architect in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and the founder of MentorDINO, a training platform built to close the gap between architecture school and real-world practice. Katelyn shares how spending more than half of her career on job sites reshaped the way she thinks about drawings, detailing, construction administration, and the relationships that make projects run smoother. Together, they unpack a challenge both architects and trades feel every day: the disconnect between design and construction. From “design intent” that gets misunderstood to drawings overloaded with information that still miss the details people need to build, this conversation is a practical look at how teams can collaborate better and why mentorship is the real solution to the industry’s training problem.    About Our Guest Katelyn Rossier is a licensed architect and the founder of MentorDINO, an education and mentoring platform designed to help architects strengthen their technical skills, communication, and jobsite confidence. After working in both small firms and large, multi-location environments, she saw firsthand how understaffing, burnout, and limited training impact drawing quality and construction outcomes. Today, Katelyn runs two businesses: MentorDINO, and her architecture firm, Rossier Architecture and Design, bringing together field experience, practical detailing, and mentorship to help architects become stronger partners to contractors and trades.   Where to Learn More MentorDINOS website link: https://academy.mentordino.com/pages/mentordino-home-page MentorDINOSLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mentordino-llc/ Katelyn Rossier LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-rossier/ MentorDINOS  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@mentorDINO Find out more about this episode's sponsor, Skillya: https://skill-ya.com/?utm_source=VIF%20Podcast  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!

    57 min
  6. Education & Associations: Amanda Conger on the Future of Millwork

    2025-12-24

    Education & Associations: Amanda Conger on the Future of Millwork

    Text us your feedback on the podcast!   In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Amanda Conger, Executive Director of the Cabinet Makers Association (CMA), the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals (ACSP), and the National Woods Board (NWB). With over 20 years in the woodworking and machinery world, Amanda has become one of the industry's most influential voices for small shops, education, and workforce development.  From the challenges facing today’s cabinetmakers to the nationwide push for better woodworking programs in schools, Amanda brings clarity to the talent crisis many millwork shops face. Together, Jacob and Amanda explore how associations, schools, and shop owners can work together to build sustainable career pathways for the next generation.   About Our Guest  Amanda Conger began her career in marketing at Stiles Machinery, where she discovered a passion for industry-wide collaboration and association leadership. That curiosity led her into executive roles first with CMA, then ACSP, and finally the National Woods Board. Through these organizations, she supports small and mid-size shops with education, networking, best practices, and crucially—access to a trained future workforce.  Where to Learn More  Cabinet Makers Association: https://www.cabinetmakers.org/ Association of Closet & Storage Professionals:  https://closets.org/ National Woods Board: https://nationalwoodsboard.org/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!

    30 min
  7. Inside the Digital Shop: Bruno Calatayud on Integrating CAD/CAM

    2025-12-10

    Inside the Digital Shop: Bruno Calatayud on Integrating CAD/CAM

    Text us your feedback on the podcast! In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Bruno Calatayud, National Director at EFICAD, to talk about the development, evolution, and impact of SWOOD a SolidWorks-based CAD/CAM solution built specifically for the woodworking and millwork industry.  Bruno shares the story of how SWOOD grew from an educational initiative in France into a global platform with clients in 50+ industry categories. From SolidWorks integration to machine-ready CAM output, SWOOD is giving custom millwork shops the tools to take full control of their workflows from design to machining.  If you’ve ever wondered whether a fully integrated CAD/CAM solution is worth the switch bor whether your current software is holding your team back this episode offers a clear look into what’s possible.  About Our Guest  Bruno Calatayud is the National Director for North America at EFICAD, the developers behind SWOOD, a fully integrated CAD/CAM solution for woodworking built on SolidWorks. With a background in mechanical engineering, Bruno has spent over a decade training technical teams, working with international partners, and helping shops streamline complex production with 3D-driven automation. Based in Boston since 2019, he’s now leading SWOOD’s expansion across North America.  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!

    23 min
  8. Curing the Bottleneck: Finishing Innovation with Ryan Randell

    2025-11-26

    Curing the Bottleneck: Finishing Innovation with Ryan Randell

    Text us your feedback on the podcast! In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond is joined by Ryan Randell, National Director at Elevated Finishing, to dive deep into one of the most overlooked, and most painful, parts of a shop’s workflow: finishing.  From long cure times to inconsistent results, finishing can often feel like a mysterious “black art.” But Ryan brings clarity, process, and serious innovation to the conversation, introducing us to a game-changing solution: the SCHUBOX. Designed for real-world millwork and cabinetry shops, this compact, catalytic IR curing system slashes drying times, eliminates bottlenecks, and makes finishing predictable.  Whether you're struggling with air-dry lag, overwhelmed by rework, or just tired of crowding your shop with drying racks, this episode offers insight into how smarter curing can transform production flow and profitability.  About Our Guest  Ryan Randell is the National Director at Elevated Finishing and a long-time expert in the world of finishing and coatings. His journey, from remodeling contractor roots to application engineering at Stiles Machinery, gave him hands-on insight into the real challenges millwork and cabinetry shops face daily. Now, he leads Elevated Finishing’s mission to bring European-style catalytic IR technology to the U.S. market through their signature product, the SCHUBOX.  Where to Learn More  Elevated Finishing Website: https://www.elevatedfinishing.com/Social Media: Elevated Finishings LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/elevated-finishing/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ElevatedFinishingFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61557506270777Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatedfinishing/Ryan Randell's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-randell-b086749b/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!

    40 min
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About

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, techniques, and challenges in millwork. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, this podcast is for you.  Tune in biweekly on Wednesday for a new episode, and visit duckworksmw.com to join our growing community of millwork professionals.

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