In this episode of Verify In Field, host Jacob Edmond sits down with Liz Ingebrigtsen, Project Manager at Sprovieri’s Custom Counters and current Chair of the Board for the Architectural Woodwork Institute. With more than 15 years in the industry, Liz shares her journey from starting at the front desk during the height of the recession to becoming a respected industry leader at both the chapter and national level.
Together, they explore the evolving role of AWI, the importance of industry involvement, and the real opportunities available for young professionals in millwork. This conversation goes beyond standards and titles. It is about ownership, workforce development, mentorship, and building a sustainable future for the trades.
About Our Guest
Liz Ingebrigtsen is a Project Manager at Sprovieri’s Custom Counters in the Chicago area and the current Chair of the Board for the Architectural Woodwork Institute. She has served for years on the Chicago Chapter board and recently stepped into national leadership.
Liz began her career in the middle of the 2009 recession, taking a front desk position at a countertop company that would eventually become her long term professional home. Over the years she grew alongside the company as it expanded from residential work into large scale commercial fabrication. Through her involvement in AWI, she found not just professional growth but community, mentorship, and purpose within the millwork industry.
What You Will Learn
- How to build a long term career in millwork even if you did not plan on entering the industry. Liz shares how she grew from an entry level position into leadership through consistency and initiative.
- What AWI really offers beyond standards. Learn how chapters, networking, education, and strategic planning shape the future of the industry.
- The evolving role of workforce development in millwork. Liz explains why engaging parents, schools, and young professionals is critical to sustaining manufacturing in the United States.
- Why industry involvement creates opportunity. Serving on a chapter board and participating nationally opened doors that extended far beyond Liz’s day job.
- How commercial growth changes operations. Hear how Sprovieri’s shifted from primarily residential work to complex commercial fabrication and what that required in production, detailing, and quality control.
- The importance of finding a professional home. Liz discusses loyalty, culture, and why small to mid sized companies can provide meaningful long term careers.
- What will change and what will stay the same. While communication styles and workforce expectations evolve, the demand for quality craftsmanship remains constant.
Key Insight
“We all have the same end goal in a way, right? We’re all producing something and we’re all wanting to better fuel this industry for when we’re done or when we’re gone.”
Where to Learn More
Architectural Woodwork Institute
https://awinet.org
Sprovieri’s Custom Counters
https://sprovieris.com
Connect with Lizz Ingebrigtsen on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizingebrigtsen/
Final Thoughts
Whether you are a young professional searching for direction or an established leader thinking about succession and workforce challenges, this episode offers perspective and encouragement. Liz’s story proves that meaningful careers in millwork are built over time, through relationships, commitment, and a shared belief in the future of the trade.
