The history-making merger of KBDi and ACFA is underway, with the first resolution being passed by Members on Wednesday, 25 September.
On Thursday, 5 December, the KBDi Board met to implement the initial round of changes required as part of this process. Current Members, Greg Grant CKD Au and Selina Zwolsman CKD Au, CBD Au, stepped down from their board positions, while Dean Brakell, Fred White and Chris Chmielowiec were appointed.
As previously advised, both Greg and Selina will be staying on in their current KBDi roles for the time being. With Dean taking on the position of KBDi Executive Director and increased management capacities post-merger, Greg is looking forward to planning a few more adventures in 2025. He will, however, continue to be a significant part of the team until the merger is complete and up and running.
Likewise, Selina won’t be going anywhere. Her goal is to dedicate more time to creating valued technical resources and content for our Members while the growing and very capable team takes care of marketing and general operations.
About the new KBDi Board Members
Dean Brakell | ACFA CEO and KBDi Executive Director
As indicated above, Dean Brakell has been appointed as KBDi Executive Director. Dean is no stranger to the kitchen sector, having been CEO of the Australian Cabinets & Furniture Association (ACFA) for over a decade. He has been firmly entrenched in the joinery sector his entire working career, beginning his cabinetmaking apprenticeship as a fresh-faced seventeen-year-old and enjoying various roles after completing his trade. Dean holds a Master of Business Administration and is passionate about design and manufacturing in Australia. He’s committed to assisting small to medium businesses to fulfil their potential and is focused on establishing better corporate governance frameworks in the not-for-profit and for-profit sectors.
Chris Chmielowiec | ACFA and KBDi Board Member
Chris Chmielowiec, son of a cabinetmaker and an interior designer, has been immersed in bespoke joinery for much of his life. Originally from Toronto, Canada, he moved to Sydney in 2014, bringing his joinery expertise to the Australian market. In 2021, he founded Interspec, specialising in high-quality residential joinery. Combining advanced technology with skilled craftsmanship, Chris delivers seamless, timeless interiors in Northern Beaches and beyond. As a Board Member of KBDi and ACFA, Chris advocates for industry excellence, sustainability, and collaboration, striving to elevate joinery standards while fostering growth and innovation.
Fred White | ACFA and KBDi Board Member
Fred has been a valued member of the ACFA Board (formerly FIAA) for 17 years, serving as Chairperson for a decade.
With his brother, Geoff, Fred managed the award-winning business, HK Joinery Design at Tuggerah NSW. Their work involved providing joinery for single residences, multi-level residential developments, schools, universities, hospitals, and aged care facilities.
Fred holds several qualifications from varying industries. A Certificate 3 in Furniture Making and a Kitchen & Bathroom Renovators licence, along with his many years of business experience, have given him a broad vision of the industry in general, allowing Fred to bring a more comprehensive view to the board room.
Fred is passionate about industry training for youth and mature-age workers and is committed to ensuring Australia maintains a successful and sustainable manufacturing industry.
We welcome all three to the KBDi community and are excited to see our ‘concept to completion’ dreams become one step closer to reality.
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