NKBA University has just announced the four finalists who will compete in the Finals for the 2016 Professional of the Year Contest, live from NKBA’s Center Stage at KBIS on Jan. 19.

Danielle Burger, AKBD, has long had a passion for interior architecture. She discovered her appreciation for kitchen and bath design through several years of experience working in high-end plumbing and hardware showrooms in Chicago, and soon launched her own design firm, Kitchen Vitality Design. As part of the contest, Daniellhas been honing her customer service approach—one she says is paramount to the success of her business—through NKBA University’s (NKBA U) Focus on the Customer Learning Path. She is also currently pursuing her Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) and Bath Designer (CBD) Certification.

Alena Capra, CKD, CBD, has 13 years of industry experience as an interior designer and is the owner of the award-winning practice, Alena Capra Designs. Her work and expertise has been featured on various home & design shows around the country, as well as many national and regional media outlets. She is also developing an e-design service, which she’ll soon add to her list of client offerings. Through Alena’s NKBA U studies from the Communication Learning Path during the contest, she is learning to further drive her business through the appropriate channels, and how to effectively communicate with those she works with—from her employees to senior-level executives.

Patricia Davis Brown, CKD, CBD, ASID, NCIDQ started her career in the kitchen and bath industry nearly 30 years ago. In addition to her own Vero Beach, FL firm, Patricia Davis Designs, LLC, which she started in 1992, Patricia has also launched ProfessionalKitcheandBathPlans.com, an online consumer resource for kitchen and bath design, as well as PDBhomestore.com, where she sells carefully curated furniture and home décor items. Through her Sales & Marketing studies with NKBA U, she hopes to explore new ways to further diversify her brand internationally.

Matt Plaskoff founded Plaskoff Construction with a different approach to remodeling and custom home building—one rooted in attention to detail, premium service and constant client communication to eliminate frustration and headaches often associated with the construction process. With a passion for helping fellow industry professionals channel their skills into a viable business, Matt selected NKBA U’s Business Management Learning Path for his contest coursework.

The grand prize winner will be named immediately after the Finals and receive an all-expenses-paid trip for two from the contest’s Platinum sponsor, Kohler Co, to tour its headquarters and manufacturing facilities in Kohler, Wisconsin, in addition to a $500 gift card. Each of the remaining Finalists will receive one all-expenses-paid trip to visit the headquarters and manufacturing facilities of one of the contests gold sponsors, Franke, Rev-A-Shelf and DuPont.