Staff Writer
Marcy Whipple and Barb Michaud of the S.W. Collins Company recently earned associate kitchen and bath designer (AKBD) certifications from the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
To achieve certification, applicants must document a minimum of two years’ experience in the kitchen and bath industry learning about design, space planning, sales, project management, drafting and plumbing sales.
Applicants must also take one year of formal education in the fields of residential construction, kitchen and bath systems and planning, along with coursework in business management and design principles. The certification culminates with a thorough written examination geared to assess a wide range of competencies.
To maintain their certifications Michaud and Whipple must also adhere to a strict code of professional conduct and further their educations through courses approved by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
Michaud has been with S.W. Collins Company since 1993 and works at the Presque Isle location. She has an extensive knowledge of design, construction and the installation of kitchens and baths. She also specializes in residential and commercial flooring.
Whipple has worked at the Kitchen and Bath Design Center in Caribou for the past five years. She possesses an intimate knowledge of design software and manages the S.W. Collins Company website. The Maine Chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association recently appointed her to the position of vice president of technology and communications.
Both Whipple and Michaud are working toward becoming certified kitchen designers which comes only after completing at least seven years of formal training.
Currently, S.W. Collins Company employs the only certified kitchen designer north of Bangor, Cindy Dufour. Dufour oversees kitchen and bath sales at all S.W. Collins locations and guides the firm’s five designers.
Contributed photo
DESIGNERS HONORED — Marcy Whipple, left, and Barb Michaud both employees at the S.W. Collins Company recently earned Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer certifications from the National Kitchen and Bath Association.
