NORTH LIBERTY, Iowa - Woodworking Network announces the honorees of the Wood Industry 40 Under 40 Class of 2026. This year marks the 11th annual 40 Under 40 awards, which celebrate the next generation reshaping the North American woodworking landscape across manufacturing, design, sales, services, and education.
“We extend a heartfelt welcome to the 40 Under 40 as they join more than 400 alumni who have earned this distinction in the past decade. This year’s honorees represent some of the best and brightest our industry employs,” said Tim Fixmer, president and CEO of CCI Media, the parent of Woodworking Network.
Those selected have been recognized for achievements and innovations in productivity, profitability, social good, ingenuity, innovation, peer inspiration, product development, and organizational leadership. Close to 100 submissions were received, representing all segments of the industry, including: cabinetry, furniture, closets/home organization, architectural woodwork, retail fixtures, wood components, educational institutions and associations.
“Anyone who belittles the next generation should take a look at the 40 Under 40 honorees. They are full of energy to spark new ideas to keep the woodworking industry fresh long into the future,” said William Sampson, Woodworking Network editorial director.
The 40 Under 40 Class of 2026 is sponsored by PaintLine and Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Co. (PLM).
Those named to this year's class are (in alphabetical order):
| HONOREE | TITLE | PLACE OF WORK |
|---|---|---|
| Sarah Abigail Alcorn | Project Manager | Alcorn's Custom Woodworking Inc. |
| Cadman Campbell | Chief Technology Officer / President | Cabinotch / KCD Software |
| Carlos Cardenas Rodriguez | Engineering Manager | PLC Closets |
| Gerold Chouquer Gebert | Business Quality Manager | Arauco North America |
| Daniel Collie | President | Ohio Valley Top Shop |
| Quentin Collie | Vice President – Administration | Ohio Valley Top Shop |
| Xavier Collie | Operations Specialist | Ohio Valley Top Shop |
| Sam Conley | Vice President | Fallston Supply, Inc. |
| Adam Czechowski | Vice President | Dynamic Custom Products |
| Andrew Dement | President & CEO | Witmer Wood Products |
| Jessica Freeseman | Director of Sales | Wood Machinery Systems |
| Joseph Gladilen | Vice President / President | LivingArt Canada / LivingArt USA |
| Jeremy Goebel | President | Con-Vey |
| Nicholas Hall | Owner | Hall's Hardwood and Cabinetry |
| Simon Hansen | General Manager | Hansen & Company Woodworks |
| Rina Harianto | Product Manager | Genesis Products |
| Volodymyr Hresko | Co-Founder & COO | COXIT |
| Brennah Hutchison | Hardwood Industry Liaison & Content Director | National Hardwood Lumber Association (NHLA) |
| Sam Johnson | Founder | Zenbooth |
| RJ Lange | Founder | Lange Urban Sustainable Homes, dba LUSH |
| Rebecca MacDonnell | Director of Estimating and Purchasing | Continental Woodcraft |
| Kort McDonough | General Manager | KC Millworks |
| Ray McMahon | Managing Director | The Austin School of Furniture |
| Brandon McMillan | Senior Distribution Warehouse Manager | Gemini Industries Inc. |
| Melanie Medina | CEO | WB Powell, Inc. |
| Bobby Miller | Woodshop Teacher | Coon Rapids High School |
| Brady Montgomery | Plant Manager | Adams Group |
| Greg Paldino | President | Contend Capital |
| Avery Pipkin | Woodworking Teacher | Cedar Ridge High School |
| Emily D. Ramey | Marketing Specialist | Osborne Wood Products, Inc. |
| Matthew Reyhons | Chief Operating Officer | Northern Contours |
| Jenna Rogers | Inside Sales Coordinator, Components | Forte Opening Solutions |
| Joaquin Rojas | Marketing Director | Arauco North America |
| Harrison Simmons | Yard Operations Technician | Woodview Farm & Forest Products Ltd. |
| Sara Simmons | Sales & Administrative Coordinator | Woodview Farm & Forest Products Ltd. |
| Emily Soderberg | Director of Engineering | Saint Louis Closet Co. |
| Blake Thoele | Product Development and Procurement Manager | Stevens Industries, Inc. |
| Matt Visintainer | Owner | IKAG LLC |
| Taylor Woods Rinehold | Partner / Director of Operations | California Closets of Southwest Florida |
| Kyle R. Wrightman | Co-Founder & Co-Chief Executive Officer | ThirdGen Timber Group |
2026 honorees will be recognized at the Leadership Reception, to be held Aug. 25 in Atlanta, from 5:30-7:30 at the Georgia World Congress Center, following the opening day of the International Woodworking Fair (IWF). “We hope you will join us for the Leadership Reception at IWF in Atlanta, where you can congratulate this year’s honorees in person,” said Fixmer.
Honorees also will be featured in the upcoming FDMC October Leadership issue (view 2025 FDMC October).
Woodworking Network solicited entries to this year's 40 Under 40 through the website, email promotions, and via social media. The 2026 class joins an elite group of honorees from 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, and 2016.
For more information on the 40 Under 40 award program, contact Karen Koenig at [email protected].
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