After nearly 50 years in business, Joe Wilda, Sr., one of the three original founders, is now the sole owner and operator of Tri-Star. Joe Sr.'s dedication to the business and to the Tri-Star family has been the key to Tri-Star's success and longevity. In addition, Joe Sr.'s talent and passion for artful wood working is unmatched — his favorite hobby will always be creating and designing new pieces for his friends and family. Although, if you don’t find him at Tri-Star or in his workshop at home, he is likely on the golf course or spending time with his wife and their eight grandchildren.

Joe Sr.'s oldest son, Joe Wilda, Jr., has been a critical member of the Tri-Star team for more than 35 years and now serves as the company's President. Like his father, Joe Jr. demonstrates an unwavering commitment to the business and to the Tri-Star family. Joe Jr.'s commitment and leadership has Tri-Star well positioned for continued and sustainable success in the future.

Dave has been with Tri-Star since 1977. During his time at the company, Dave has spent significant time in most departments (including the factory, service, installations and sales) which has allowed him to develop a deep understanding of Tri-Star's business. As a result of Dave's experience and commitment to Tri-Star, he was promoted to Sales Manager and has led the sales team for the past 23 years. Dave has a bachelor's degree from Benedictine University.

“My Wife and I had a new microwave and oven installed recently, leaving a gap at the bottom of Tri-Star cabinets that were installed 23 years ago. I visited Tri-Star to see if they could help, and I got more than I bargained for when I was introduced to Dave. Never in my life have I met such a pro-active and helpful person as him. He could have told me Tri-Star does not handle small jobs like that, but he stepped up and had a drawer made to fill that gap. Thanks again Dave. I take off my hat to the owners and employees of Tri-Star, and to the company they have become.” - Ed K.

Barry has been a designer with Tri-Star for over 25 years and has been in the design business for over 35 years. He enjoys leading clients through the design and customization process to help bring their ideas to life. Barry is a masterful designer with the lone objective of making a customer's dream their new reality.

“Charlie and I want to thank you for your skillful and creative work, as well as the craftsmanship of your cabinet builders. We couldn’t be happier with our beautiful new kitchen. You were largely instrumental for the success of this project… Furthermore, I will happily recommend you and Tri-Star to my friends” - Susan L.

Charlie joined the Tri-Star family after retiring from decades as a fire officer. Although he has only been with Tri-Star for a little over 5 years, he has extensive experience in the industry as a home builder and remodeler. Charlie enjoys helping people take their vision, or help them create one from a dream to a beautiful new space.

“Just wanted you to know that we absolutely LOVE the cabinets you created for us at our house. The audio cabinet is a real thing of beauty and we wanted you to know that we appreciate that you helped us with all the details and making them into exactly what we wanted. It was a true pleasure working with you and I will definitely recommend your company to anybody that needs custom cabinets made. Thanks for all your help.” - The Augspurger’s

Dale has been with Tri-Star for over 35 years, and has led the company in sales for 3 consecutive years. Dale is masterful at his craft and enjoys the customization and design aspects of each project he works on, which is readily apparent from his attention to detail and drawing skills. Dale began his career as a professional baseball player for the Minnesota Twins, and in his off seasons Dale learned how to draw and sell custom cabinetry. Dale attributes his talent and passion for drawing to his father who was an artist.

“Please pass along my thanks to Dale S. and the people who made my cabinets. I absolutely LOVE them! Our installers complimented you guys too for the measurements and how they were made. If you ever want to use me as a reference, please do. I took a chance on you from a Google search and I got lucky!” - Therese S.

Doug has been with Tri-Star for over 30 years and has significant experience in both residential and commercial projects. Doug loves how each project starts with a blank canvas and provides an opportunity to be creative and to design something unique. He understands that to be a good designer one needs to be able to recognize and adapt to a specific customer's style and specifications. When not at the office, Doug enjoys wood working, including building furniture and installing cabinets. He received a Bachelor's degree in 2D & 3D design with a minor in industrial arts from Eastern Illinois University.

John has been a sales designer with Tri-Star for over 20 years. He really enjoys how each project is unique and brings together new ideas and relationships. As a designer, John relishes the opportunity to design and customize new concepts for clients and to help clients integrate various pieces in a space to translate a client's vision to reality. John attributes his lifelong fascination with custom cabinetry to his grandfather who was a cabinet maker.

“John, a huge thanks to you for a great design. The cabinets are really well made, and the countertops finish them off beautifully. We are so pleased. Thank you again!” - Judy N.

John has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lewis University and has been working in cabinet design since 1994. John has been with Tri-Star for the past 19 years. Not only does John love to design spec homes for his builders but also taking customer ideas and expectations and turning them into a new layout or adding some special touches to their existing layout.

“I never do this but I just wanted to tell you that it has been a pleasure working with Tri-Star and John Maffei. He was very helpful in guiding us thru the whole process of picking out our cabinets. He seemed to be very interested in making sure that we were happy. He was very courteous about not hounding us everyday if we were going to go with Tri-Star or not. He was one of the reasons we chose Tri-Star. Our experience with Tri-Star has been a good one thanks to John. We received our cabinets today (the delivery guys were awesome too) and we will be sure to let other people know about our pleasant experience with Tri-Star. -B. Cotte

Karen has been with the Tri-Star family for more than 19 years, and in kitchen and home design for over 25 years. Karen loves how each project allows her to use her creativity to design a space for her clients that transforms their dreams into reality. Karen has a Bachelor's degree in Interior Architecture from Northern Illinois University.

"Seeing a before and after picture, along with smiling homeowners, makes all the hard work worthwhile." - Karen Skrbec

Lorin is the newest member of our design team, and is well on his way to becoming one of our top designers. Lorin was introduced to the cabinet design industry by a friend over 25 years ago, and he has never looked back. He really enjoys the creative aspect of the job, and the fulfillment that comes from being able to make his customers’ dreams for their home a reality. Outside of work, Lorin enjoys giving back to his community and attending his children’s sporting events. He also participates in a prison ministry program by speaking to and providing guidance to those who have fallen on hard times. You can also see Lorin’s creativity on one of the decorative benches on Tinley Park’s Oak Park Avenue.

“Tri-Star did our original cabinets 32 years ago and the quality was great. We went with them for our remodel and the quality is even better. Lorin was our designer. He offered some very helpful suggestions but listened to what we wanted and respected our decisions. Our kitchen is beautiful.” -Kathy S.

“I recommend you go there, ask to speak with Lorin and order beautiful cabinets! We had a fantastic experience from start to finish and have a stunning new kitchen to top it off!! We couldn't be happier and recommend everyone to go there!” -Mary K.

Rick has been a designer at Tri-Star for over 15 years. Prior to joining the Tri-Star family, Rick owned his own cabinet business for 20 years that focused on service and installation of cabinetry. As a result of various installation projects for Tri-Star and remodeling his own home with Tri-Star's cabinets, Rick has firsthand knowledge of the quality craftsmanship of Tri-Star's products. In addition, Rick has known one of the founders of Tri-Star, Joe Wilda, Sr., for many years and knew that he wanted to join the Tri-Star family. Rick's experience with owning his own business in the cabinet industry has proven to be extraordinarily valuable in his designs. Rick continues to enjoy the challenges that he faces with every new job and the satisfaction that he gains with each happy customer.

“Used Tri-Star for an apartment rehab project in the city, and they did a fantastic job at a fantastic price. We worked with Rick, who was great with every step of the process. Working with him was simple and easy. We will be working with him again in the future.” - Bridget N.

Bob graduated Michigan State University with an arts degree and has been in design for the past 40 years. In the early 60’s his family owned and operated a cabinet business and Bob was involved in both production and design. He has been with Tri-Star for over the past 20 years. Bob loves meeting new people and pairing new colors with different aspects for each new client.

“I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your time, attention, and patience during the past year. Your advice was always sound, you presented us with appropriate options, and the recommendations you made were extremely helpful. We always felt you had our best interest at heart! We are delighted with all the cabinets. The style, wood, and stain are just perfect for the look we were striving to achieve. We’ve already been encouraged to include our home on the holiday tour!” -Dalgarn Residence

Scott has been with Tri-Star for over 25 years. Prior to joining Tri-Star, Scott worked with various cabinet companies for nearly 6 years in roles including estimating project costs to building custom cabinets. Now, Scott continues to be valuable member of the design team accumulating in excess of $10 million in sales. Scott is passionate about helping clients design, incorporate ideas and finally achieve their dream kitchen.

“Seeing the smile on their faces when everything is done is the best part.” - Scott Tichgelaar

Wayne has been a sales designer with Tri-Star for over 15 years, and in cabinet design for more than 20 years. Wayne’s career path started in management within a Canadian company with $300m in annual sales, where he managed the Customer Service/Order-Entry Department. However, Wayne had a strong desire to meld his management and art backgrounds on a local, retail and personal level and focused on a career in cabinet design. He is experienced in all facets of design: remodeling, new residential, commercial and industrial settings. Wayne takes pride in maintaining the highest level of customer service and respect for the customer, their homes and their ideas, allowing for the creation of beautiful and functional spaces.

“I wanted to thank you for all of your help in designing our kitchen! The cabinets look absolutely gorgeous. The carpenter said they were the best cabinets he has ever installed!” - Jean S.

“Wayne, thanks for all your patience and good work with us. We enjoy you and appreciate you. We are not saying goodbye, as we know that you will be with us throughout the project, and we look forward to some additional work in the bathrooms” - Mike & Paula M.