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.

Bob has been designing for Tri-Star for over 20 years and has been in the design business for over 35 years. He loves how the styles within the industry are constantly evolving, and how he can help match a particular customer with their unique style. In the early 1960’s, he helped operate his family's cabinet business in both production and design. Bob has an art's degree from Michigan State University.

“Bob, I just love everything about my cabinets, I love the quality, the craftsmanship, the color, the doors, the drawers, the whole ball of wax! I love them more than I think you can figure out! From start to finish, I do not have a single thing that I don’t love. And I mean LOVE! Think you have figured out how much I love my cabinets? Well, multiply it by 100. I talk about them all day at work, and show people pictures all the time. Believe me, when someone asks about cabinets, TRI-STAR is the one and only place I will refer them to!” - Dawn D.

Charlie joined the Tri-Star family over 5 years ago after spending the majority of his career as an officer in the Fire Department. He has extensive experience in the home building and remodeling industry, and as a result, has a keen eye for customization and design. Charlie enjoys guiding clients through the design process and bringing their vision to life, and the personal satisfaction that comes with knowing he helped create a beautiful new space in their home.

“Charlie, 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 truly a pleasure working with you, and I will definitely recommend your company to anyone who needs custom cabinets made. Thanks for all your help!” - Cathy A.

Dale has been a designer at Tri-Star for over 3 years. Prior to joining the Tri-Star team, Dale worked in theatrical light design and set construction. He has also spent significant time working in all departments of Tri-Star’s factory, giving him vast knowledge on all that is involved in the process of creating beautiful cabinets. Dale is very passionate about the industry and takes great pride in taking a customer’s idea, and turning that dream into a reality.

“…Recently, we felt a need for an upgrade and modernization of our kitchen. We were very fortunate to meet Dale Parker, who oversaw the entire project, measured and gave us estimates, kept in contact with updates, and called several times to verify our specs and materials. He stopped in during installation to verify the accuracy of materials and install, and even returned again to make a few adjustments to ensure 100% lineup of all doors. We are impressed with the job Tri-Star did for us, not once but twice, but we are most impressed with the professionalism, friendliness, and attention to detail that Dale Parker provided us with on this project. You have an excellent employee in Dale, and we will not hesitate to recommend him and Tri-Star to anyone we know looking for professional, accurate, and friendly cabinet work.” - Ray L.

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 been with Tri-Star for over 20 years and has been working in cabinet design for over 25 years. He enjoys opportunities to work with builders to customize and design spec homes and with homeowners to generate new layouts or modify existing layouts. Each project allows John to build upon a customer's ideas and expectations, and guide a client through their unique design process to bring their vision to life. John has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lewis University.

Judy has been with Tri-Star for over 20 years and working in cabinet design for over 30 years. Prior to joining the Tri-Star family, she designed for three other cabinet companies, but soon thereafter found that Tri-Star provided Judy and her clients with the best quality and design opportunities. Judy is very passionate about her designs and truly loves coming into a client's home to help them into the kitchen of their dreams.

“People are always surprised by what we can do, and it truly is exciting to see the transformation, and knowing I was a part of this.” - Judy Dober

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.

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.

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.

Karen has been with the Tri-Star family for more than 15 years, and in kitchen and home design for over 20 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