The SEN Management Team Has Vast Industry Experience

The SEN Management Team consists of Kitchen and Bath Industry veterans who have the knowledge, creativity and expertise to help your business grow to its fullest potential.

Kenneth Peterson, CKD, President
email: kpeterson@SENDesign.com

After graduation from Dartmouth College, Ken started in the family kitchen business as a Sales Designer in 1968 and later became its Sales Manager and President (1974). Ken also became a Director of NKBA (National Kitchen & Bath Association) in 1972 and its National President in 1980-1981, furnishing altogether some 18 years of volunteer leadership in this trade association.

In the early 1980s, Ken authored two, 250 page Retail Operations Manuals which became the foundation for building his then $1.5 million dollar dealer operation into a franchised Signature Kitchen & Bath network of four Connecticut showrooms. The manuals were instrumental in training new personnel, including 14 Sales Designers recruited from outside the industry, and managing a growing business for maximum profitability.

Within a span of seven years, Signature had grown to a $4.2 million Sales Volume with consistent 51% Gross Profit Margins. He created a professional environment that attracted and nurtured 3 dozen staffpeople in Sales, Project Management, and Administration.

In the early 1990s, Ken served as an industry consultant and trainer, as well as a KBB Business Management columnist, before launching the industry’s first buying group for Kitchen and Bath Dealers in August of 1994. More than two years of intensive research went into this business venture, including two trips in 1992 to study the most successful European kitchen buying group program.

Today, Ken's corporate responsibilities at SEN include Strategic Planning, General Management, Marketing, Communication and Training. In addition, he consults with the 100+ Associate and Full Members on Showroom Design, Budgeting, Cash Flow, Forecasting, Financing, Strategic Growth, and Personnel Issues. These SEN membership services are unique in the industry and have accelerated the growth and profitability of many Members Firms.

In 2002, Ken Peterson also conducted a “Fundamentals of Selling” School in 9 cities around the country and launched a business management column for Kitchen & Bath Design News entitled: “Bettering Your Bottom Line.”

Bob Hatfield, Vice President of Vendor Relations
email: bhatfield@SENdesign.com

After 23 years with the Whirlpool Corporation, Bob retired from corporate life and joined SEN in January, 2001. Prior to this date, Bob served as Whirlpool’s National Accounts Sales Manager to the SEN Buying Group for approximately two years as part of his overall national kitchen dealer responsibilities. He also served five years on the NKBA Board of Directors. As a result, Bob understands the unique needs of Vendors considering affiliation with a buying group and provides valuable insights in how to grow their business.

Bob’s primary responsibilities with SEN are to identify prospective Vendors and reach agreements that provide value for all parties involved. Once Preferred Vendor relationships are established, he assists the new Vendors in understanding and reaching the growth potential within the membership. He also assists Members in resolving Vendor-related business issues.

Tom Blau, Vice President of Business Education
email: tblau@SENdesign.com

Tom Blau has over 21 years of experience as a kitchen and bath dealer, as President of Blau Bath & Kitchen Remodeling in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Tom has a degree in Environmental Engineering from Marquette University (1980) and is a licensed Master Plumber (Wisconsin and Florida). In addition, he is a charter member of the SEN Design Group.

The duties of the Vice President of Business Education will include delivering Business Education programs, managing the exclusive Dealer Roundtable program, contribute as a business consultant and take responsibility for member recruitment.

Jeanne Owen, Director of Administration
email: jowen@SENdesign.com

As a member of the SEN staff since 1998, Jeanne oversees all accounting and bookkeeping responsibilities as well as manages SEN’s Rebate System that pays Members on a quarterly basis. Jeanne also periodically surveys Member needs and assists in growing both membership and member purchases from SEN Vendors.  She has trained many Member bookkeepers to properly use the QuickBooks accounting software program ...in accordance with recommended Accrual Accounting procedures.