Kent Gilchrist assumes dual executive role as chairman of WCA Board of Directors to drive woodworking industry leadership
The Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA) has announced a pivotal evolution in its corporate governance structure. Kent Gilchrist, the long-standing Secretary of the WCA Board of Directors, has officially stepped into a crucial dual executive role after being elected as the organization’s new Chairman. This strategic transition comes at a critical time for the sector, highlighting a renewed focus on woodworking industry leadership and workforce education.
Gilchrist was elected during the WCA Board’s most recent meeting, marking a new chapter for the non-profit credentialing body. At a time when workforce development and technical standardization are paramount, his dual responsibilities as both Secretary and Chairman will streamline administrative oversight and strengthen institutional growth across North America.
A Proven Legacy in Architectural Woodwork and Education
Gilchrist brings an extraordinary depth of experience to his expanded position. As President of Fremont Interiors, a commercial casework firm, he has maintained a firsthand perspective on the changing operational demands of the modern shop floor. A self-described “serial volunteer,” Gilchrist has dedicated his time to the WCA Board since 2010.
His extensive leadership portfolio includes serving as President of the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI) in 2015, alongside tenure across various leadership positions within AWI’s Board and Education Committee. Gilchrist’s devotion to educational advocacy is further reflected in his role as Technical Chair of the annual SkillsUSA National Cabinetmaking Competition—a position he has held since 2000—and his service on the SkillsUSA Indiana Board of Directors.
Honoring Brian Bond’s 16 Years of Visionary Service
Gilchrist succeeds Brian Bond, who joined the WCA Board in 2009 and recently retired from his academic career as a Professor of Sustainable Biomaterials at Virginia Tech. Bond’s tenure left a lasting mark on the development of measurable woodworking skill standards.
“On behalf of the WCA, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Brian Bond for his 16 years of dedicated service including most recently as Chairman,” said Scott Nelson, WCA President. “Brian has been an instrumental part of our growth since the early days, and his expertise has been invaluable to our mission. While we will miss his leadership, we are fortunate to have Kent stepping into this role. Kent’s long history with the WCA and his experience with the AWI and SkillsUSA make him an able successor who is well-prepared to help lead us forward.”
John Leininger Joins the Board to Tackle the Labor Shortage
To further reinforce its leadership ranks, the board elected John Leininger to serve a three-year term. Leininger, President of Lexington, Kentucky-based Leininger Cabinet & Woodworking, brings a lifetime of hands-on industrial perspective. He grew up in the trade, eventually taking ownership of the family company from his father in 1980. The business is currently celebrating its 75th anniversary, showcasing a deep legacy of market resilience.
Leininger, who has been heavily involved with the AWI since 1982, views his new assignment as an active platform to address the woodworking sector’s most persistent problem: the critical talent deficit.
“Our biggest concern has always been finding people,” Leininger said. “I feel like the industry that gave so much to me needs whatever help I can muster.”
Standardizing Cabinetmaking Excellence Across North America
Founded in 2007 as a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America continues to fill a critical void in industry training. Governed entirely by a volunteer board of directors, the WCA focuses on developing and administering a unified, objective set of Skill Standards for the wood products industry.
Since 2011, the alliance has engineered observable, measurable performance metrics and validated assessments for more than 240 distinct woodworking machine operations. Central to this infrastructure is the WCA Passport credential—a portable, permanent record documenting personal skill achievements. To date, the WCA has issued over 10,000 Passports. Furthermore, more than 140 high schools and post-secondary institutions participate as WCA EDUcation™ members, supported by an expanding roster of commercial shops joining as WCA MANufacturing™ members.
A Vision for Future Growth
As Kent Gilchrist takes on this historic dual executive role as Chairman of the WCA Board of Directors, the organization is uniquely positioned to accelerate its industry outreach. By combining Gilchrist’s strategic alignment with AWI and SkillsUSA and John Leininger’s generational business experience, the WCA is reinforcing its fight against the nationwide labor deficit. Under this revitalized leadership team, the alliance will continue to expand its credentialing platform, ensuring that standardized cabinetmaking training and robust woodworking industry leadership remain the bedrock of the North American manufacturing sector.
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