Kitchen & Bath Business - July/August 2019 - 42

: NEWEST HALL OF FAMERS
Honoring its 2019 inductees for careers of
innovation and service to the industry

By Dianne M. Pogoda

Photos by PWP Studio

THE NKBA HALL OF FAME AWARD HONORS INDIVIDUALS who have contributed to the growth and

professionalism of the association and the kitchen
and bath industry as a whole.Whether recognized
for their service to the industry; inventing a new
product, manufacturing process or marketing
technique; developing a groundbreaking technology; or otherwise affecting some aspect of our

Suzie Williford, Executive Vice President of

Industry Relations and Chief Strategy Officer, NKBA

Suzie Williford has been in the industry for
more than three decades and has served the association and the industry in several capacities.
She was inducted by NKBA CEO Bill Darcy
and NKBA board member Lorenzo Marquez of
Marqet Group.
"Suzie started her career in a showroom in
Texas as a young woman, working her way up to
vice president of sales, managing K&B companies

business, these individuals are game-changers.
This prestigious award acknowledges their profound influence and is a testament to their longlasting impact on the industry.
At KBIS this year, during the Design Competition & Industry Awards, the association honored
three individuals with induction to its Hall of
Fame. Here are highlights from the ceremonies.

ABOVE Suzie Williford ac-

cepts her Kitchen & Bath Hall
of Fame Award at KBIS 2019.

catering to both the trade and consumer markets and cultivating a depth of
industry knowledge along the way," said Marquez, a two-term chairman of
the NKBA board. "Her volunteer efforts for the NKBA go back well over a
decade, with 10 years on the board of directors and serving as board president
in 2009."
Williford and Darcy have officially worked at NKBA together for seven
years, after her volunteer service led to a full-time position in 2012.
"Suzie has contributed greatly to the tremendous growth of the association
and the expansion of KBIS,"said Darcy."She has played a key role in developing many of the initiatives that are helping our membership and exhibitor
community thrive and prosper. Now, with the launch of the NKBA Global
Connect program, we are poised to reach beyond our North American borders in a meaningful way. She has brought passion, professionalism and true
love of our great association every single day."
As Williford accepted the honor, she thanked the chapters and their officers, the NKBA board and headquarters staff and family and special friends
in attendance.
"It never crossed my mind when I started this journey at age 24, answering
phones, that I would be here today accepting this honor," said Williford. "I
can remember seeing the list of Hall of Famers and then having the honor
of inducting three of them myself, when I was president, and knowing the
gravity of what this means. I am truly humbled to be in the company of so
many industry giants.
Over six years ago, when I called my trusted friend Bill Darcy, I was looking
for his advice, not a job," she recalled. "However, he is very clever and before
I hung up, I committed to booking a flight to New Jersey to seal the deal.
Little did I know that I would be embarking on the best gig yet. Bill, you are
a visionary, a great leader and a great boss. Never afraid to think outside the
box or take a risk, you have allowed me and pushed me to be the best me!"

/ JULY-AUG. 2019 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of NKBA (NKBA.org) and KBIS (KBIS.com)

http://www.KBBONLINE.COM http://www.NKBA.org http://www.KBIS.com

Kitchen & Bath Business - July/August 2019

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