NEWPORT, NC — Three individuals have been selected as the judges for the fifth annual Veneer Tech Craftsman’s Challenge, a national design competition that highlights achievement in the use of natural veneer: Whitney Coombs, president of architectural woodwork firm Ivan C. Dutterer Inc. of Hanover, PA, and current president of the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI); Will Sampson, editor-in-chief of CabinetMaker magazine, Rockford, IL; and Paul Schurch, a custom woodworker specializing in marquetry as owner of Schurch Woodwork in Santa Barbara, CA and the 2007 Craftsman's Challenge grand prize winner.

The 2009 Veneer Tech Craftsman’s Challenge rewards excellence in the use of natural veneer and wood products through cash awards and other recognition for the entire supply chain, including craftsmen, distributors, distributor sales representatives and student designers.

Entries to this year’s competition are accepted through June 1. Competition categories include cabinetry, architectural woodworking, furniture, specialty products, store fixtures and student design. Entry materials are available from Veneer Tech sales representatives, distributors and through www.veneertech.com.

A cash award of $3,000 will be made to the creator of the grand prize winning entry. The distributor of the veneer for the grand prize winning entry will receive $2,000, and the corresponding distributor salesman will receive $1,000. Winners of each of the six categories receive $1,000 each. Awards will be presented at AWFS Vegas, July 15-18, in Las Vegas, NV.