CHARLOTTE -- Guy Bucey is a 32-year-old decorated Marine who served two deployments in Iraq. After retiring from the military, he took up woodworking as a therapeutic hobby and even entertained the idea of starting his own custom cabinetry business. In the summer of 2011, he joined Inova, whose factory is located outside of Albany, NY. The company designs and manufactures multifunctional, space-saving furniture, specializing in modern day Murphy-Beds.

Bucey saw the opportunity as a chance to learn the business side of carpentry and expand on his woodworking prowess. However, he quickly filled a void the company had in management. He was hired as an assembler, was promoted to team leader in subassembly, then supervisor and now leads operations for the entire facility as the Director of Operations. Bucey will kick off the Wood Pro Expo education track with a presentation titled, "Leadership Matters." Wood Pro Expo Charlotte is colocated with the Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo March 6-8, 2019.

In the fall of 2015, with the prospects of increased sales and rapid growth coming to Inova’s near future, Guy decided it was time for the Inova team and himself to adopt and fully embrace the Lean Manufacturing philosophy and all that goes with it. Guy has studied the philosophy from the creators of lean in Japan and has submersed himself in the thought process. Since then, the factory has more than doubled in size and capacity, while increasing employee morale and decreasing turnover by over 80%. He was nominated by Inova’s CEO and received a spot on the “Wood Industry 40 Under 40” list, sponsored by Woodworking Network and the Wood Machinery Manufacturers of America.

The Wood Pro Expo brand comprises a series of strategic regional events, located in key areas throughout the United States where professional woodworkers congregate. Wood Pro Expo features a full day of education and tours followed by two expo days oriented to equipment and supplies focused on the small-to-medium size shops. The educational offerings includes CNC basics, employee recruitment, finishing, lean manufacturing, business management, software, and shop safety.

The Cabinets & Closets Conference & Expo is an annual event featuring a full-day conference, plant tour, and exposition, and is dedicated to home remodeling professionals specializing in building kitchen cabinets, closets, and other home storage designs. Scheduled for March 6-8, 2019 at the Charlotte Convention Center, the Cabinets & Closets Conference and Expo will co-locate with Wood Pro Expo, which is held annually in Charlotte.
 
Both events are owned and managed by Woodworking Network.

Register for Wood Pro Expo Charlotte.

Complete agenda:

Jump tp CLOSETS CONFERENCE.

Wood Pro Expo/Cabinets & Closets Conference Schedule
Wednesday, March 6 - Charlotte Convention Center
8:00 a.m. - 8:50 a.m. Keynote, All conference attendees

"Where Design meets Manufacturing"

WOOD PRO TRACK, sponsored by CMA
Improving Shop Operations

9:00 - 9:40  Leadership Matters, Guy Bucey
9:50 - 10:30 CNC Operations, latest technologies for the small to medium shop
10:40 - 11:20 Finishing Expertise and Tips from Adam West
11:30 - 12:10 Building a woodworking business, Scott Wunder –Enjoy your day job and you’ll never work a day in your life.  Scott Wunder will share how he turned his passioin for wood into a real business.
12:20-1:20 NETWORKING LUNCH
1:20 - 2:10 FDMC Pricing Survey, Will Sampson
2:15 Buses depart for Plant Tours

CLOSETS CONFERENCE, sponsored by ACSP and Closets & Organized Storage Magazine. Laurel Didier, Publisher will present "State of the Home Organization Industry" new research statistics throughout the program

9:00 - 9:40 Growing your Closet Business, Lisa Carlquist, Artisan Closets
9:50 - 10:30 Venturing out of the Closet, hidden storage, wallbeds and more
10:40 - 11:20 Trends in Design, Lisa Mercadante
11:30 - 12:10 The technology of Design, Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
12:20 - 1:20 NETWORKING LUNCH
1:20 - 2:10 HGTV Love it or List it, Carolina Closets Plus, Mike Hoffer
2:15 - Buses depart for Plant Tours

Thursday, March 7
9:00 AM to 9:50 AM Free Keynote
10:00 AM to 5 PM -- Expo Hours

Free Networking and Learning events
10:30 AM to Noon -- Panel & Components Trends
1:00 PM to 2:30 PM -- Software Trends


5:30 - 8:00 PM -- Top Shelf Design Awards Reception, sponsored by J&B Cutting, CCF Drawers and KCD Software.
Join us at the Nascar Hall of Fame to celebrate the award-winning designers at this gala reception.
We will also recognize the two Top Choice exhibitor winners at the reception.
The Nascar Hall of Fame is connected to the convention center.

Friday, March 8
9:00 AM to 9:50 AM Free Keynote
10:00  AM to 3 PM -- Expo Hours

Free Networking and Learning events
10:30 AM to Noon -- Hardware Trends
1:00 PM to 2:30 --  CNC Trends