Jenn-Air Enlists Industry Leaders for Inaugural Design Advisory Council

BENTON HARBOR, Mich., March 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Jenn-Air, the brand with offerings that are raising the standards of performance in the luxury appliance market, recently launched the Jenn-Air Design Advisory Council.  The Council will provide feedback from a designer perspective on the Jenn-Air appliance brand as well as other Whirlpool Corporation brands.

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"We've recruited a talented group of highly qualified kitchen design professionals from across the country and look forward to tapping into the wealth of experience they have to offer," notes Juliet Johnson, manager of brand experience for Jenn-Air.  "These seasoned professionals, with their unique insights, will help us drive the future direction of our products and programs as we strive to continuously elevate the Jenn-Air experience for everyone."      

The council will offer commentary on a variety of kitchen and design industry topics including trends and feedback on new product designs.  Additionally, the members will offer guidance on improving and standardizing product specifications across the entire Jenn-Air line.   According to Johnson, this ongoing forum of industry experts will meet several times throughout the year to collaboratively develop design ideas and feedback on everything from prototypes and marketing initiatives to customer service.

"We're really grateful to have the opportunity to partner with a group of experts that offers this caliber of diverse experience and talent," says Johnson.

About Jenn-Air:  Since the introduction of the first self-ventilated cooktop in 1961 and downdraft ventilated range in 1965, Jenn-Air brand has consistently grown its reputation as a technology and design innovator.  Its selection of style options includes two distinct stainless steel collections and two cutting edge finishes: Floating Glass and Oiled Bronze. From downdraft cooktops, wall ovens and professional-style ranges to dishwashers, refrigerators and such entertaining essentials as warming drawers, built-in ice machines and wine cellars, Jenn-Air brand offers a complete line of major kitchen appliances. To learn more about the Jenn-Air^® appliance collection, or speak with a member of the concierge team, please visit jennair.com, twitter.com/jennairusa or facebook.com/jennair.

Members of the Jenn-Air Design Advisory Council:  

Morton Block:  Block's credentials include Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD), Professional Member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) and Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS). His firm, Morton Block Associates, designs retail showroom spaces, major trade show exhibits, and contributes to product development projects for kitchen and bath industry manufacturers.  As an industry consultant and 20-20 specialist, Morton has helped existing businesses to grow through customized training programs and has assisted in bringing new companies forward

Susan Broderick:  In addition to being the owner of Broderick Design Associates in Sacramento, CA, Susan Broderick's credentials include:   Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD), Certified Bath Designer (CBD), Certified Interior Designer (CID) and her recent Universal Design Certified Remodeler (UDCR) certification from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).    Her design awards include a Regional NARI CotY  team award for Entire House $250-500,000, Greater Sacramento Chapter NARI CotY team awards for Entire House Over $1,000,000 and Entire House $500,000 -1,000,000.

Mary Jo Camp:  As an award-winning designer, Mary Jo Camp has held many positions within the field, including owning her own design firm and showroom.  Her list of credentials includes Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD), Certified Bath Designer (CBD), Certified Interior Decorator (CID), Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) and Certified Green Professional (CGP).  She has been very active in the California design/build community within the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) and California Council for Interior Design Certification (CCIDC) and as an adjunct professor at Canada College, an NKBA Endorsed College in Redwood City. Camp has designed and overseen construction of many state-of-the-industry appliance showrooms demonstrating the latest ideas in kitchens. Camp is a seasoned presenter for both the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and NKBA.  Currently, as principal of DesignCamp, she designs residential kitchens and baths and consults with numerous businesses within the Kitchen and Bath Industry.  She is an officer in the Carolinas Chapter of NKBA and an active member of the Lake Norman Home Builders Association (LNHBA.)

Ellen Cheever:  In addition to being a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer Cheever is a Professional Member of the American Society of Interior Designers and a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS).  With clients stretching from California to the East Coast, Cheever manages both a private residential design practice and a consulting firm that develops innovative products, designs memorable showrooms, and creates highly effective training programs for all segments of the industry.  Her private design work has been honored by the American Society of Interior Designers, the KWC Design Competition, and the National Kitchen & Bath Association Design Competition.  A prolific author, Cheever first gained prominence in the industry when she wrote two textbooks considered the basis of design education: Beyond the Basics: Advanced Kitchen Design and The Basics of Bathroom Design and Beyond.

Julia Johnston:  Johnston is an independent kitchen designer who works with individuals, architects and contractors to design new kitchens and fix existing kitchen design problems. She spent 10 years in the luxury kitchen market, designing for firms such as Christopher Peacock, William Ohs, and Siematic.  Johnston now works with kitchens at every budget level, both designing kitchens and acting as her clients' agent in navigating the kitchen design process.  Aside from her design business, Kitchens for Cooking, Julia serves as Vice-Chair of the Southern Food & Beverage Museum in New Orleans, and a founding member and featured presenter at the Coral Gables Tour of Kitchens.  On a local level, she was chair of the American Institute of Wine & Food and Boca Bacchanal's Grand Tasting.   In addition to being a Certified Kitchen Designer, Johnston is also a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) and has an Intermediate Sommelier Certification.

Roberta Kravette:   Kravette is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) with a specialty in Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) as well as an Associate Kitchen and Bathroom Designer (AKBD).   In addition, she is a "Green Kitchen" consultant for the design trade and home owners interested in healthier renovation choices for their own personal and the greater world environment.  In 2003 Kravette founded Nieuw Amsterdam Kitchens, a full service kitchen design house serving the professional design community for their projects involving custom designed cabinetry and kitchen design. Her work has been featured in a number of trade and shelter magazines including Trends Magazine Spring 2010, Builder News and Kitchen and Bath Design News.   A recent project for Architecture-in-Formation was awarded Interior Design Magazine's 2010 Best of Year in the kitchen category.  

Karla Krengel:   Krengel is a third generation kitchen and bath entrepreneur and has been writing about industry trends for over a decade.  In addition to writing about kitchen and bath design and cabinetry trends for local and national magazines and newspapers, Krengel's column, "Internet Connections" has appeared in Kitchen & Bath Design News magazine for over 12 years.  Krengel has taught classes for the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) as well as having served at a national level for the association for 8 years.  She worked with her brother to start up the websites Kitchens.com and Cabinets.com and is currently a manufacturer's representative for luxury kitchen and bath products.  A passionate cook and entertainer, she's logged hundreds of hours of cooking.  

Judith Neary:   Neary is a Certified Master Kitchen and Bath Designer (CMKBD) with more than 25 years of design experience and began her career in commercial and hospitality design and has continued to develop her skills and style designing and building custom cabinetry, case goods and furniture. After twelve years of merchandising, design and training for a national retailer, she began working in the manufacturing segment of the industry. In addition to showroom space planning and design, her responsibilities include development and implementation of business processes and installation programs. She is a frequent contributor to industry trade publications writing on a variety of topics of interest for the designer and home owner. Neary is also a professional instructor for the National Kitchen and Bath Association offering her comprehensive experience in various applications of design to students and designers nationwide.    

Gary Paul:   Paul is a nationally published, award-winning designer and principal of GP Incorporated Design Consulting in New York.  Paul began his design practice after completing his bachelor's degree in architecture at the Boston Architectural Center School of Architecture, and his master's degree in architecture at Harvard University Graduate School of Design.  Paul has participated in ten designer showhouses in Chicago, Boston, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, including projects for House & Garden, House Beautiful and Veranda Magazine. He has also been published nationally in Veranda Magazine, Town & Country, Travel & Leisure, Food and Wine, House Beautiful, House & Garden, Metropolitan Home, Country Living, The New York Times Home Section, The Chicago Tribune Magazine, and The Detroit Free Press.   Paul recently joined the faculty of New York University, most recently teaching a course on Kitchen and Bath Design, and has taught at Parson's School of Design, and The New York Institute of Technology.

Mary Jo Peterson:  Peterson is an award-winning designer whose work has earned national recognition including induction into the National Kitchen & Bath Association's Hall of Fame.  She is certified in kitchen, bath, aging-in-place, and active adult housing design with 25 years experience.  Peterson is also president of her eponymous Connecticut-based design firm that focuses on residential projects and provides design support to major home-builders and product manufacturers nationwide. With specific expertise in universal design, she has authored three books on the subject and is a frequent national speaker and educator.  More recently, she has developed and taught courses on sustainability in kitchen/bath design and outdoor kitchen design. Among Peterson's current projects outside the realm of private client design work, are the development of the new Advanced Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) course for the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and work on universal design housing standards with AARP. Her latest books, Kitchen Planning and Bath Planning, were published by the NKBA in 2006, as part of their professional resource library.  

Terry Smith, CKD, CBD, CID, is an award-winning certified kitchen, bath and interior designer.  As the son of a contractor, Smith grew up around construction sites and began reading blueprints from an early age.  He has worked in commercial kitchens and is an avid chef, combining these experiences to specialize in kitchen, bath and cabinetry design.  Smith is a National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) member and current President of the NKBA San Diego Chapter.  Prior to this, he served as Vice President of Professional Development mentoring new designers and Vice President of Programs for the San Diego NKBA Chapter and Vice President of Membership for both the Puget Sound and San Diego NKBA Chapters.  Smith is an Industry Partner Member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) and active member of the National Association of Remodelers Industry (NARI).

Billy Williams, Associate Kitchen and Bath Designer (AKBD) is the owner of b. williams design in Nashville, Tenn.   A kitchen and bath specialist, Williams has over 20 years' experience in the design and construction industries. His work has been showcased in national and local publications, including Southern Living magazine and the Tennessean, and on HGTV and PBS; he recently won a "Best of Nashville 2009" ranking for Interior Designer (#3). Williams is a member of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA).

SOURCE Jenn-Air