WCA issues second Diamond Credential

Lizzy Conley, program director of Cabinetmaking & Millwork at Madison College, recently became only the second person to earn the Diamond Credential from the Woodwork Career Alliance of North America (WCA).

Conley joins Patrick Molzahn, her predecessor at Madison College, to earn this distinctive honor.

“The Diamond Credential is the most prestigious award that the WCA can give to individuals who have demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication to mastering the craft of woodworking,” said Scott Nelson, president of the WCA. “It is a great privilege to present this award to Lizzy. It is a testament to all of the hard work that she did to earn it.”

The Diamond Credential is the fifth and final level of the WCA’s credentialling program for woodworking professionals. In addition to successfully accumulating 240 skill points by demonstrating her proficiency to set up and operate a wide variety of woodworking machines, Conley had to complete a project in which she created engineered drawings as well as material and cutting lists.

Conley graduated from Madison College’s Cabinetmaking & Millwork program in 2018.

“I was pleased that Lizzy took on the challenge of completing the Diamond Credential,” said Molzahn, who is retiring at year’s end after a 23-year-run. “It shows her dedication to the industry and is a testament to her skills and knowledge of our craft. This accomplishment puts her in a great position to serve as a role model for the next generation woodworkers.”

Two industry groups – the Wood Machinery Manufacturers Association and the Woodworking Machinery Industry Association – are merging to create a new organization, the Wood Industry Association (WIA), effective Jan. 1.

Benefits of a merger include one unified voice for the wood machinery industry in North America, plus more resources to invest in member programs, safety standards and public policy, according to the WMMA, which owns and manages the International Woodworking Fair (IWF).

The WIA’s board of directors met in November (after deadline) to discuss programming, events, committees, logos/branding, and the budget for 2024.

The National Hardwood Lumber Association elected three new board members during its 2023 Convention & Exhibit Showcase in Louisville, Ky.

The newly elected board members are Matthew Gutchess of Gutchess Lumber Co.; Tim Pleimann of Farrow Lumber Co., and Chris Rider of AHC Hardwood Group. Retiring from the board was Jordan McIlvain of Alan McIlvain Co.  

This article was originally published in the December 2023 issue.