John Little

I always tell people that once you get into the cabinet business you’ll be hard-pressed to get back out!  Every day is different.  I get to meet all sorts of interesting people, visit unique showrooms, solve challenges and win those opportunities.  The business loves me and I love it right back!!

Going into college, designing homes, and going deeper into Architecture was my dream.  In the Mid-Eighties, I earned degrees in Architectural Technology and Construction Management.  I started my career out with a few local home builders managing residential projects, then transitioned to a major window manufacturer estimating commercial projects throughout the states.  In ’92, I found my way to a relatively new kitchen department at the local lumber yard and have been in the cabinet business ever since.

My experience grew from that lumber yard out of Flint, Michigan, selling to contractors/retail at a couple of locations to managing a large showroom. In the late ’90s, I jumped the fence to the rep side and focused on the home center business.  Finally, in 2003, (the best decision ever) I made a move to Central Illinois and joined the S&A team!  It’s been an awesome adventure for sure!!

On weekends you’ll probably find my wife and I watching and rooting for my daughter’s softball or basketball teams traveling through Central Illinois!  Love to visit those unique restaurants with the family and addressing that foodie in me.

And finally, when possible always trying hard to up my golf game.

Brad Townsend
Sales & Marketing Consultant

To introduce myself, I’ll start by mentioning a phrase that has stuck with me throughout my working life: “Brad was born in a sink base 36”.

I started off building laminate countertops at the age of 15 until I was able to start installing kitchens. With that, I was able to gain a lot of field knowledge with kitchen & bath products that have helped me understand the process of K&B sales & design. In 2016, I graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in Finance and moved to the sunny state of Florida… After a couple of years down there, I had the opportunity to come and work with this amazing team back in the Midwest. Since then, I have been fortunate to learn so much from them, along with our dealer and manufacturer partners. Every day I wake up ready to tackle anything that comes my way and learn something new.

Besides having a passion for the K&B industry, I also love to travel, spend time with family (and my dog), and be outdoors. Riding dirt bikes, hunting, boating, skiing, and snowmobiling are all some of my favorite hobbies, so as you can tell I like a fast-paced environment.

This is all comes back to the ever-changing cabinet industry- I love it!!

Dura Supreme
300 Dura Dr
Howard Lake, MN 55349
Website 

Dura Supreme is widely recognized as offering a fashion-forward and extensive semi-custom product line. They pride themselves on being leaders in the industry with state-of-the-art manufacturing while continuing to push the boundaries of design trends. These combined elements provide a fit and finish that bridges the gap between semi-custom and luxury cabinetry.

LOCATED IN HOWARD LAKE MN

Adrienne Shoopman
Sales & Marketing Consultant

Believe it or not, I was named after the character Adrienne in the movie Rocky. I’m not much in the boxing ring, but for years I’ve been a road warrior throughout the Midwest, meeting great people and selling products I believe in.

After graduating from Rockhurst University with a degree in marketing, I worked at an ad agency that specialized in the building industry. From there I was hooked, and my love of connecting with people brought me to the sales side.

I’ve sold both appliances and cabinetry through the home center and dealer networks. Combined with my marketing experience, this well-rounded background helps me be a better partner to my dealers and the manufacturers I represent.

Outside of these roles, you can often find me horseback riding!

Fun Fact: I used to do vaulting, which is gymnastics on horseback. I’m also a college basketball fan and enjoy traveling with my fiancé, Chris.

Sabrina Yoder

I knew I wanted to be a designer from a VERY young age…I certainly drove my parents crazy with furniture rearranging in the living room when they were out of the house!

That path led me to a small liberal arts college where I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, went on to work on the retail & design side of the business for 13 years…even designed & opened a showroom from a blank slate in the sunshine state of Florida (phew, I lost some sleep in those days!)

All that landed me on the consultive side of the business in 2016…I’ve learned a lot since then and have stepped into the role of business partner, teacher, & sometimes sounding board for my dealers!  I love to help and get my hands dirty with the creative aspects of kitchen and bath…somebody throws a display to design my way, I’m ready!!

Likes: tacos & white queso, naps, plants (thanks 2020!), and my Detroit, MI roots!  GO TIGERS!

Loves: my Fiancé, my furry best friend, travel, & volleyball

Fun Facts:  I started keeping a travel journal in my college years…and since then, I’ve visited 11 countries, 32 states, flown over 300,000 miles, AND LOVED EVERY MOMENT.

My Personal Motto: Collect Moments, not things.  ❤️

Cheers from Chicago!  xxoo -S

Melissa Winchester

Cabinet guru by day, Mom to two young boys + one feisty cat by night, keeps me on my toes!  This means my organization skills, attention to detail, & hand-eye coordination must be sky-high to keep these juggling pins in the air.

My background starts with a BFA in Interior Design from Kendall College of Art & Design, with a lifelong love for architecture & drafting.  My cabinet experience ranges from working for manufacturers to distributors, to designing…all of which prepared me to be on the best team in the Midwest!  To add to my talents, I’m also a LEFTY…so I’ve had to adapt over the years to read all the tape measures made for you righties.

If I’m not working and traveling the mitten, you’ll find me near a lake, dragging a cooler, and probably eating a pizza!  I do live in the Fresh Coast State after all…and must take advantage of these gorgeous summers!

Matt Weatherly

I am surrounded by beautiful women.  My wife and I are blessed to have 3 daughters, which fill our home with lots of loving banter.  Normally, the banter is instigated by a sister invading the space of another sibling, the borrowing of clothes or other possessions, or one of them unplugging the router.  The loving banter is off the hook when the router is unplugged.

My love for the cabinet industry started at an early age when I would travel with my father to visit his customer base.  On one trip I sat in the back of a cabinet design training class he was leading for Carter Lumber.  This was where I first learned how to draw basic layouts by hand.  Thank goodness the design software 2020 6.0 was developed.

I quickly became versed in how to use 2020 as a sales tool and I to expand my knowledge 20 yrs. later.  I have represented 15 different manufacturers over the years within 6 different states.  My customer base has ranged from independent retailers, small lumber yards, and big box stores.  With this comes an overall understanding of the cabinet industry.  From the beginning, I learned building relationships is the key to gaining trust.  Allowing you to have a wider consultative discussion with customers.

When I am not working, I am enjoying our family pool with my family and our 3 dogs.  Many weekend mornings I can be found watching Formula 1 racing.  I have attended one of the US Grand Prix’s in Austin and hope to attend another this year.

You could also find me renovating our home.  I have become quite handy over the years.

Mike Janssen

I have the best job in the world! When people ask what I do for a living, I share with them that I travel up and down the road making friends.  Not bad, right?

Our business is all about relationships. You do business with people that you like and trust. When you get in a tight spot, who do you want beside you? The right partnership can mean so much for your business.

I’ve been in this industry now for quite a while and worked in several different settings. My experience with distributors, design centers, custom shops, and now as a manufacturer’s representative affords me a pretty good understanding of our business. On the occasion that I need a little help, I have this amazing S&A team for support.

When I do get the chance to step away from work for a bit, I cherish my time with family and friends.
Hmmm, relationships are meaningful outside of work too. 😊

Chris Swartzmiller, Owner/Partner

Coming soon!

Stefan Swartzmiller

It’s hard to believe that I moved back to the Midwest in 1995 to get involved with the “family biz” … something that I was certain I would never do.  It’s been a fun ride building the business and watching our team grow. It’s been a joy to be in our unique niche; representing privately held companies that manufacture in our great nation.

This has given us the opportunity to make a real difference with our consultive selling approach.  I’ve learned many years ago that you are only as good as the people around you… we’ve been blessed with great principals, an unbelievable dealer network and a caring, hardworking Swartzmiller Associates team.

Outside my role as player/coach with our business, I enjoy boating, hunting, golfing, and hanging with friends and family.  I have three amazing daughters that keep my wife and me on our toes and a dog named Bix that is just ahead of me on the family totem pole.

Life is good.

Jodi Barnett | Office Manager

The Swartzmiller Associates headquarters in Madison, WI is where the behind-the-scenes magic occurs. There are no two days alike, from creating social media campaigns highlighting our manufacturers and dealer partners to assisting my team with manufacturer orders, I am delighted each day to be helping others.

Serving eight years in the United States Navy, taught me to be, analytical, creative, and a strategic thinker. It was those passions that led me to pursue my Bachelor of Science in marketing & communications and ultimately my M.B.A with a marketing concentration.

Sixteen-plus years in marketing and community outreach have taught me that the best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing at all.   Marketing is not just the product or services you sell/provide, but it’s the stories we tell and the relationships we form.

I am truly blessed to be a part of the Swartzmiller Associates family.