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Meet the 2023 designKC Award Judging Panel
A life-long local resident, Jeff Ashner represents the Ashner family legacy of custom home building and residential development in the Kansas City area. Jeff started his own construction business, Ashner Construction Co. in 1978, specializing in building unique and stylized homes which have earned numerous local, regional and national awards, including four Professional Builders Best In American Living awards.
Jeff believes in supporting local charities and community events and has built homes that have benefited the Fox 4 Love Fund and the Overland Park Arboretum. Jeff is also a long standing board member of the Kansas City Home Builders Association.He continues to be influential in the Johnson County real estate community.
Scott Bickford of Bickford and Company is proud to head up a leading architectural firm in Overland Park, Kansas. After graduating from school in 1978 and spending a year at a residential architecture firm—making contacts and collaborating with home builders—Scott started his own company, and the rest is history. For more than 40 years, Scott and his firm have offered high-quality work that has earned them well-deserved recognition. He proudly serves the people of Kansas City, as well as clients across the country and around the world. All of the firm’s clients are a result of referrals—a testament to his quality of work.
The work of interior designer Vicki Dreste is marked by an expert understanding of color, pattern and the decorative arts. With a style ranging from traditional to transitional, Vicki’s designs, both residential and commercial, are infused with color and exquisite details and always a true reflection of the client.
After co-founding Design & Detail with Melinda Klinghammer in 2005 and leaving in 2009 to focus on her design business, Vicki has rejoined the team to share her expertise with fellow St. Louis designers.
Vicki has more than 30 years in the design industry. She received a BFA in Interior Design from Ringling College of Art and Design.
Michael Gekas
2023 AIA KC President
Virtual Design & Construction Director
McCownGordon Construction
Michael Gekas, AIA, is an architect, President Elect of the American Institute of Architects Kansas City chapter (AIAkc), and the Virtual Design & Construction Director for McCownGordon Construction. He has worked as a trade contractor, designer, architect and general contractor, and utilizes all things Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Reality Capture to reduce risk and enhance quality using the latest in construction technology. As AIAkc President for 2023, he will help lead a chapter of 77 member firms and 1,100 architects at the Center for Architecture and Design, advocating for design in our community. He lives on an 18-acre family farm, with endless design projects including an Airbnb and a treehouse.
As a successful owner of her own company in Chicago, Amy relocated to St. Louis over 16 years ago. Prior to starting her company, Gateway Interior Design, she was a Project Manager / Senior Designer with a residential and commercial interior design firm in St. Louis, Missouri. She now uses her cumulative experience to oversee the floor and window department at Design & Detail.
During her career, Amy has worked with several of the country’s largest home builders from the Midwest to the East Coast. She has extensive experience in the design of model homes, clubhouses and sales centers. She has worked on many high-end residential projects, both condominium and single-family, new construction and major renovations. She has over a decade of commercial and hospitality experience as well, and knowledge of “Green” building methods and codes.
Gateway Interior Design was a 2015 ASID Design Excellence award finalist in four categories: Commercial Design, Dining Room, Storage/Task Room and Sustainable Healthy Design. GID was also voted Best of HOUZZ in Design for 2015 and in Service for 2014. A 2014 St. Louis AT Home magazine’s Architect & Design award finalist for Children’s Room.
Educational background includes undergraduate studies in Interior Design at the University of Kansas and Harrington Institute of Interior Design in Chicago. She completed her studies at the Illinois Institute of Art, graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design. She has been involved with ASID since a student in Chicago and recently served as the Missouri East Chapter President from 2020-2021.
Krista Howard is the owner of KH Interiors, LLC, a boutique design remodeling company. Krista has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Savannah College of Art & Design and a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Illinois State.
After working for many years in the interior design field in New Mexico, Krista chose to be closer to family and settled in the St. Louis area. Starting her own design company in 2006 was a success and soon expanded with a remodeling division in 2010. Primarily focused on projects in the St. Louis area, often working on residential projects in Idaho, California and back to New Mexico, Krista is currently the ASID Missouri East Chapter President-Elect and absolutely loves meeting new designers from around the country. She feels that professional collaboration is an important element for a successful interior designer.
She and her husband, Kevin, most recently purchased a 100-year-old farmhouse in Illinois and restored the property for their main residence.
Lauren Iverson is the Editor-in-Chief of Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Atlanta’s only monthly home and garden magazine dedicated to showcasing the best in design for the city. From fielding gracious Southern homes to emceeing AH&L events to managing the flow of compelling home, lifestyle and design content across all mediums, storytelling has been her thing since childhood. An Iowa native, she now spends most of her free time seeking out the best Atlanta eats and perusing surrounding neighborhoods to admire Atlanta’s never-ending selection of happy, harmonious homes.
Voted one of Atlanta’s Top 20 Residential Interior Designs by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Kandrac & Kole has been featured on HGTV as well as in The New York Times, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Better Homes & Gardens, Southern Home Magazine and many others as well as participants of the One Room Challenge Spring 2020. Kandrac & Kole has established a well known reputation for their approachable, dynamic personalities, their signature use of color and pattern and their one of a kind, custom designs.
As industry experts for residential and commercial design, Joann Kandrac & Kelly Kole share upbeat and entertaining narratives regarding their design projects, travels and personal stories on their popular blog, their podcast Inside Design with Kandrac & Kole and via national speaking engagements. Joann and Kelly’s love and commitment to the power of interior design also extends towards their charity work throughout the U.S. and Guatemala.
Courtney Klamm, CKBD
Senior Designer, CKF in Omaha
Communications Chair on the
Nebraska-Kansas Chapter NKBA Board
@ckfco @nkba_ne_ks
My name is Courtney Klamm and I am currently a Senior Designer at CKF in our Omaha location, where I’ve been for 8 years. I was born and raised in central Nebraska and attended college at the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Interior Design. As a student at UNK I joined the NKBA and have been a member since. In 2012 I received my AKBD accreditation, and in 2021 I received my CKBD accreditation. I am currently the Communications Chair on the Nebraska-Kansas Chapter NKBA Board, and enjoy learning more about the NKBA.
Voted one of Atlanta’s Top 20 Residential Interior Designs by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Kandrac & Kole has been featured on HGTV as well as in The New York Times, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles, Better Homes & Gardens, Southern Home Magazine and many others as well as participants of the One Room Challenge Spring 2020. Kandrac & Kole has established a well known reputation for their approachable, dynamic personalities, their signature use of color and pattern and their one of a kind, custom designs.
As industry experts for residential and commercial design, Joann Kandrac & Kelly Kole share upbeat and entertaining narratives regarding their design projects, travels and personal stories on their popular blog, their podcast Inside Design with Kandrac & Kole and via national speaking engagements. Joann and Kelly’s love and commitment to the power of interior design also extends towards their charity work throughout the U.S. and Guatemala.
Laurie Laizure is the founder of Interior Design Community, an online community of professionals working in the home design space. She has amassed 200k+ members across social media platforms with her approach of inclusivity and humor. A member once told Laurie that being a member of IDC made her feel less alone and that is why she does what she does.
I was raised in Las Vegas and lucky enough to find my way to Nebraska in 1997. My love for design and attention to detail started at a young age. I find joy in hunting down unique features that will set your home apart from others on the block. It is rewarding to work hand in hand with our clients through the design process and watching their dreams blossom into reality.
Patrick grew up in the interior design industry…quite literally. His father and mentor, Bernie Madden, founded Madden-McFarland Interiors, a staple in the Kansas City community when Patrick was only nine years old. Learning all aspects of design and interiors, Patrick quickly found his passion for interior design and developed a discerning eye. From quality manufacturing and craftsmanship to beautiful textiles and fine art, his love of the industry is evident. Patrick worked closely with his three siblings as they continued to build on Madden-McFarland’s reputation as Kansas City’s premiere interior design firm. Currently, Patrick is an independent manufacturers representative for Leftbank Art, Arteriors Home, Alfonso Marina and Modern History, traveling the Midwest. He truly enjoys building new relationships with the design community throughout the Midwest and is now able to use his years of experience to inspire and educate those in his territory.
Beth McCabe is the Showroom Manager at Designer’s Library, Kansas City’s premier trade destination for luxury home furnishings. Her design style is classic with a love of color and collected pieces. Beth’s mission has always been to create warm, inviting spaces that draw you in, and she utilizes this philosophy while collaborating and creating with her amazing team and talented customers. Beth has a B.S. in Merchandising and Interior Design, along with certification for redesign and staging. With over 20 years of experience in design and sales, she brings a passion for consultation and service to the industry. When Beth isn’t busy assisting the design community, she enjoys spending time at the lake with her family and rooting for University of Nebraska Volleyball!
Tom Price has been an advocate of the residential design business for more than three decades and has held key roles in executive leadership, sales, marketing and product development. Following a successful career helping build the residential design division at RBS into a preeminent resource in the Hamptons on Long Island, NY, Tom is now tasked with turning Custom Wood Products into a nationally recognized resource for furniture and custom cabinetry, helping to deliver their curated offering to luxury projects around the country. Tom also advises kitchen and bath designers on their design and selling skills, and promotes an interactive sales approach to improve sales performance while increasing revenue at higher gross profit.
Tom and his wife, Jeannine, reside on the East End of Long Island. Tom is an avid runner and enjoys a round of golf in his spare time.
Ted Scott, Medallion’s founder, travels the country visiting some of the finest homes, incorporating renew inspiration, fascinating ideas, and the latest innovations to the detail he puts into every design.
With more than 30 years of experience designing, building and remodeling homes in a variety of styles. Ted brings an emphasis on craftsmanship and creativity to help you build your dream.
Jenna Talbott, Editor in Chief of top regional shelter magazine, New England Home, draws on more than two decades of editorial expertise to engage discerning audiences in the luxury residential design market. She and her Boston-based team produce 12 visually lush, print magazines annually: bi-monthly New England Home, quarterly New England Home Connecticut, and annuals Next Connecticut and New England Home Cape & Islands. Jenna’s commitment to a multi-platform experience supports continued brand growth through networking events, social media, a popular weekly newsletter, and New England Home’s award-winning website. A lifelong New Englander, Jenna and her family currently hail from Massachusetts’ South Shore, where she likes to recharge with daily beach walks.
Cheminne Taylor-Smith is a creative thinker and idea generator who specializes in branding, strategy, licensing, relationship marketing, promotion, social media, and content creation. Known for insight and straight talk, she’s helped large companies and solopreneurs take their brands to the next level and improve their businesses. She has unmatched experience in the home, media, retail, and design arenas. Previously, she was PR director for Elle Decor and Metropolitan Home, the Vice President of Marketing for the High Point Market, and has consulted with well-known brands such as Showtime, Christie’s, Conde Nast, Galerie Magazine, Bernhardt, IMC, Dallas Market Center, and more.
Alvin Wayne is a New York City based interior designer who believes everyone deserves to live in luxury. He is known for his ability to infuse modern and timeless design with natural and organic elements with pops of personality. Alvin’s design education and years of luxury retail has contributed to his overall design aesthetic, along with his love of music, art and fashion. Alvin Wayne Interiors (AWI) has been featured in Architectural Digest, NBC open house, HGTV, Apartment Therapy, Essence, and Ebony magazine.