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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.