Businessperson of the Year

St. Augustine, FL. Kenneth W. Peterson, CKD, President of the SEN Design Group, announced today that William Schaefer, owner of Country Cupboards based in Kingston, NY, was awarded the thirteenth annual M.A. Peterson Best Business person of the Year Award. This prestigious award was presented during the organization's National Spring Conference before a gathering of 200 members and vendors.

Schaefer was recognized for his company's outstanding support of SEN vendors, his 2009 record of high business achievement, and his commendable business practices. In achieving one of the highest annual purchase increases (465%) by a member of this nationwide buying group of kitchen and bath firms, his company ranked 16th in the entire country last year.

The award is named in honor of M.A. Peterson who made notable contributions to the kitchen and bath industry. Mr. Peterson helped establish the industry's first trade association in 1963, served on its Board of Directors for many years, was the world's first Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD), and was an inaugural inductee of the Industry's Hall of Fame in 1988. The SEN Design Group presents this award annually in memory of Mr. Peterson who died in March, 1997.

The Sen Design Group, based in Chapel Hill, NC, has over 220 kitchen and bath member firms from coast to coast. Design firms who are part of this group are among the industry's best businesspeople and are sincerely interested in having their clients informed on all aspects of their project before before making an investment. There are also over 100 vendors affiliated with SEN who make their products available to the members at group buying rates.