In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Amanda Conger, Executive Director of the Cabinet Makers Association (CMA), the Association of Closet and Storage Professionals (ACSP), and the National Woods Board (NWB). With over 20 years in the woodworking and machinery world, Amanda has become one of the industry’s most influential voices for small shops, education, and workforce development. 

From the challenges facing today’s cabinetmakers to the nationwide push for better woodworking programs in schools, Amanda brings clarity to the talent crisis many millwork shops face. Together, Jacob and Amanda explore how associations, schools, and shop owners can work together to build sustainable career pathways for the next generation.  

About Our Guest 

Amanda Conger began her career in marketing at Stiles Machinery, where she discovered a passion for industry-wide collaboration and association leadership. That curiosity led her into executive roles first with CMA, then ACSP, and finally the National Woods Board. Through these organizations, she supports small and mid-size shops with education, networking, best practices, and crucially—access to a trained future workforce.  

What You’ll Learn 

1. The Role of the Cabinet Makers Association (CMA): CMA supports small to mid-size cabinet shops, often 1–20 employees, through networking, forums, regional events, and education. Members use the association’s community to solve technical problems, ask business questions, and share real-world solutions.  
2. How the ACSP Supports Designers and Installers: Unlike CMA shops, ACSP members often design and install closets while sourcing their products from manufacturers. The association gives these business owners the community and knowledge base needed to improve their operations and stay competitive.  
3. The National Woods Board: Solving Workforce Shortages: The NWB develops and deploys a woodworking education program for high schools and trade schools. The curriculum covers everything from tape measure math and safety to machinery training and real cabinet construction, not birdhouses. This program prepares graduates to enter the workforce with real, industry-aligned skills.  
4. The Woodwork Career Alliance Partnership: Amanda explains how the NWB integrates WCA’s standardized machine operations testing, giving students a “passport” of verified skills they can bring directly to employers.  
5. Why Schools Need Industry Support: The NWB can’t succeed without shop owners getting involved. Schools need connections, materials, machinery, mentors, and funding, much of which comes from industry partners who benefit from trained graduates.  
6. Automation Isn’t Replacing Talent, It’s Filling a Gap: Both Amanda and Jacob debunk the myth that CNC and automation eliminate jobs. Instead, shops are investing in technology because they can’t find skilled labor, not because they want to replace it. The industry still needs people who understand woodworking fundamentals.  
7. Why “Starting at the CNC” Doesn’t Work: Amanda stresses that learning CNCs without foundational skills creates long-term gaps. Students must learn measurement, safety, hand tools, and material behavior before touching advanced machinery.  
8. The Two Core Problems Facing Millwork Education: The industry needs to show a better image of modern millwork: advanced manufacturing, technology-driven, creative. Everyone assumes someone else will solve the talent pipeline. In reality, shop owners must engage locally with schools to build their own future workforce.  
9. How AI Will Influence Woodworking: Amanda believes AI will have a significant impact, much faster than many expect, but it won’t replace craftsmanship. Instead, it will accelerate decision-making, improve efficiency, and support front-end design.  
10. How to Get This Program into Your Local Schools: It’s simple: introduce your nearby high school or trade program to the National Woods Board. The NWB handles curriculum, teacher training, materials partnerships, and rollout support. What they need most is local introductions.  

Key Insight: Industry Talent Won’t Build Itself 

The millwork industry doesn’t have a talent shortage, it has a training shortage. And as Amanda explains, no amount of technology, automation, or complaining will fix that. 

The shops that get involved, supporting programs, mentoring students, welcoming tours, are the ones that will have a steady stream of trained, motivated new workers. 

Where to Learn More 

• Cabinet Makers Association: https://www.cabinetmakers.org/ 
• Association of Closet & Storage Professionals:  https://closets.org/ 
• National Woods Board: https://nationalwoodsboard.org/ 

Final Thoughts 

This episode is a blueprint for reshaping the future of millwork education and workforce development. Amanda Conger brings clarity, leadership, and a call to action: if you want talent in five years, you must invest today.