"I was miserable working as a rough plumber in 2001. I was first introduced to Mitch in 2002. I graduated the Wood Finish Technology Program in 2005.

Upon meeting Mitch Kohanek I was immediately impressed with his teaching style and depth of knowledge. Before enrolling I visited the DCTC Wood Finishing Facility several times, spoke with many enrolled students and graduates and visited with business owners familiar with program. The message was always the same: Mitch is an outstanding instructor who will help you become a knowledgeable and successful professional.

Due largely to Mitch’s training, upon graduation I had a job waiting for me finishing and touching up high end cabinets and furniture in Kailua, Hawaii. As my skill level continued to improve beyond the scope of the job and my interests shifted toward repair, I was able to again draw on the skills I’d learned and practiced in Mitch’s program. I found work in Charleston, S.C. performing correct conservation and restoration practices on 100-200 year old pieces.

I think anyone would benefit from taking the Wood Finish Technology program with Mitch. Hand tool preparation, power tool use, wood identification, color theory and finish material selection are a few of the many important skills I've applied since the Wood Finish Technology program that have made me more marketable to furniture and cabinet manufacturers as well as restoration professionals. I am now able to critically analyze a wooden object and develop and execute a successful treatment schedule quickly and accurately.

Thanks to a program designed by an outstanding instructor, I’ve joined the ranks of knowledgeable and successful professionals."

"As the owner of New Look Refinishing / D& G Services in New Hope, Minnesota, I am extremely happy with the 2003 graduate of the Wood Finishing Technology program at DCTC who answered my inquiry.

He has shown to me his knowledge and skills that were gained in the program by successfully and repeatedly performing refinishing and spot repairs onsite in restaurants, hotels and office buildings. That alone increases my confidence in him.

The benefit to me is that I can now direct my attention to other parts of my business confident that he can handle what is on his plate. I know he will reflect positively on the company, helping to operate smoothly and to grow the business.

Keep up the good work. The workforce needs quality people."

"I can't begin to tell you how invaluable this program and Mitch Kohanek have been to our company and this industry. My two top supervisors and educators were hired from the Wood Finishing Technology program. One has been with me for 10 years and the other for 4 years. We have also used several other graduates of this program on large scale, national wood restoration projects.

These ladies and gentleman are a true testament and success of Mitch Kohanek's giftedness in teaching, mentoring, leadership and integrity. His ability to teach is a gift matched by no other and have given our industry the quality and hands-on education it desperately needs. We restore and maintain some of the finest woodwork, not only in the nations capitol, Washington, DC, but throughout the country. We are considered, not only by our customers, but by our peers as well, as the premier wood finishing and maintenance company in Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia.

I think so highly of Mitch Kohanek's skills and the facility that you have provided that I plan to send my son to your program. I literally owe my livelihood to Mitch and the students the Wood Finishing Technology program has provided my company. Over the past 18 years of being in business I have seen Mitch put his heart and soul into this program.

As an employer you may consider what I did. I found a person who I invested in and sent him to this school, he has been an invaluable employee to my company ever since. Any employer hiring the graduates of this program will benefit from the skills and wood finishing knowledge these people walk into your doors with."

Joseph T. Hastings
President

Hastings Architectural Restoration
www.hastingsrestoration.com

"The Dakota County Wood Finishing Program has been a beneficial resource for HOM Furniture. We have a number of employees who have graduated from the program, including our two Master Repair Technicians. The skill and knowledge these employees bring to our company is invaluable. From the first day they arrive, these employees are an asset to our organization, and a great addition to our team.

Our main distribution center (located in Coon Rapids, MN) moves several thousand pieces of furniture each day. This amount of product keeps twenty plus Repair Technicians busy on two shifts. Employees in our Repair Department are a key part of HOM Furniture and enable us to give our customers quality product; which allows us to remain one of the top furniture retailers in the upper Midwest."

Brian Klobe,
HOM Furniture Warehouse Manager

I am Dave Macfee and I own a wood finishing and furniture restoration business in Topeka, Kansas.  I found my vocation in life at the age of 25 when I was hired for an entry level job refinishing furniture.  When the company I worked for closed its doors a few years later, I started my own business because I knew that I had found the vocation I wanted for life.  As my business grew and I attempted to hire people to help me,  I  went about the mission of finding and training local individuals.  I never expected it to be easy, but I believed I would find people  who if given a similar chance to what I received, would at least find satisfying employment, if not a life career in wood finishing and restoration.  My experience of finding such individuals over the next 20 years proved to be more disappointing than even my lowest expectations.

Around 2002 I attended Mitch Kohanek’s National Wood finishing Conference held at  Dakota County Technical College in Rosemount, MN. It was there that I met Mitch and had my first exposure to his wonderful 9 month wood finishing technology program.   I had no idea then how much my life and course of my business was about to change from this experience.  I left the Conference with my mind buzzing having literally been plugged into a network of people and new information I could barely grasp hold of at the edges. In those years since I have attended NIWF summer workshops hosted by Mitch where I have been able to increase my own knowledge of wood finishing and conservation.  I’ve also  come to know Mitch personally as well as many of his students, and I have gained a more intimate knowledge of his program.  

Needless to say, the next time I had a position opening in my own business, I looked to Mitch and his program for candidates. We recently hired a program graduate who  has come into our business and hit the ground running.  After a brief period of breaking in, he is not only contributing, but innovating and problem solving as a fully fledged member of our team.   

The full effect of all this experience has made me realize that what I was trying to do in the past hiring and training fresh recruits to do this type of work was an almost impossible expectation.  What I’ve seen through Mitch and interaction with his graduate students, is how important a comprehensive foundation of learning is to have a decent chance for success in this business.  NIWF program graduates walk out with 9 months of focused and comprehensive lecture and hands-on training.  Having attempted unsuccessfully to train many people from the ground up, and now having also experienced what it is like to work with a NIWF graduate, I can understand now why it was so difficult for me to train prospects and perhaps why some of them gave up.  A business owner like me is simply not equipped nor can they afford the time it takes to supply an inexperienced new employee with an adequate foundation of information in a couple of weeks or even months. 

If for example,  you have ever tried to train a new finisher in your business, consider this one aspect. NIWF grads don’t need to be taught the difference between paint thinner and lacquer thinner or any other solvent for that matter.  They know the properties of materials that a finisher uses and they understand the general application of and how to safely use them.   You can focus your valuable training time on the specific applications they need to do instead of basic material ABCs and dealing with a higher percentage of trainee mistakes.

Consider something else; When you hire an NIWF graduate you are hiring someone that has independently made a commitment to work in this field.  The graduate has paid for and completed an intense 9 month course in hopes of getting an opportunity to work in their chosen field.  Contrast the hill they must climb to success in your business with the mountain in front of the average seemingly capable person you would attempt to hire and train, who may not even know if they like this line of work.  

What Mitch inspires in his graduates goes beyond just providing them the best foundation of technical information they need to be successful.  In my 54 years I have had a few great teachers and mentors. Mitch Kohanek has all the qualities of a fine teacher and role model as one could ever aspire to have.   I’ve experienced him as a workshop student myself and I’ve witnessed his effect on countless other students. Great teachers know the material they teach, and continually work on their coursework.  They love what they teach and share their passion for it.  Mitch identifies and inspires that passion in others.  Going beyond the coursework,  he connects with the soul of the whole person, helping each person to discover their own goals and then how to go about achieving them.

Dave Macfee
Macfee Refinishing Inc
Topeka, Kansas

"We have three current employees at Schneidermans Furniture that have completed the wood finishing program at Dakota County Technical School. Tim is our wood shop repair person, Kathy is our team leader for our prep team and Dick works on our prep team. The knowledge and experience they got in the wood finishing program is excellent for us as an employer. When you can hire people that have the base foundational knowledge of wood, stain, finishes and application techniques it is a big plus for us and the employee.

For anyone that would like to learn about finishes and repairing furniture you cannot go wrong with this program. It will give you the knowledge needed to help you excel in any job you would ever do that would involve wood products and hopefully you could have a career using this knowledge."

Roger Smith
Distribution Center Manager
Schneidermans Furniture

"After attending cabinet making courses at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, I became painfully aware that the best woodworking skills in the world meant very little if the finished product didn’t look great.

On the first morning of class Mitch asked every student why he or she was there. My reply was that I wanted to make wood look beautiful. Mitch just gave me a knowing smile and moved on. Little did I know what that smile contained! Starting from the very first day to the last day of class he continually gave us endless amounts of information about every subject that the course covers.

Every morning when I arrived at class I was absolutely excited about what we would learn that day! I now run a small woodworking and finishing company by the name of Phoenix Wood. Mitch teaching this course was the best educational experience I have ever had! "

"The Wood Finishing Technology program at Dakota County Technical College is extremely valuable to anybody who has any intent to work in the wood working industry. The finish is the first thing that people see, and the first thing they touch on any woodworking project. DCTC’s wood finishing program goes way beyond, "turn it brown and shoot sticky stuff on it," and gives the students the knowledge to really set their wood working apart from everybody else’s on the market. Not only are the students taught the physical process of creating a great finish, they also walk away with a chemical understanding to back up their skills. This understanding of why a finish works is what sets DCTC grads apart from most other finishers in the workforce today. Understanding why a finish works, or doesn’t work, can save individuals and employers a large deal of headache, as well as money, and can be the difference between a good product and an outstanding product.

You will leave Mitch’s program with enough knowledge to start a career in wood finishing and refinishing. Many past graduates have gone so far as to start their own successful businesses while others have gone on to be the head finishers of other successful companies. You are only limited by your personal motivation to succeed.

Mitch Kohanek is the best teacher I’ve ever had. He is extremely knowledgeable on the subject of wood finishing and his drive to educate and enlighten is unmatched by any person I’ve ever met. He strives for each of his students to fulfill their potential and will help out his students in any way he can. His distinguished background in the area of wood finishing, combined with the network of finishing professionals that he has at his disposal, makes his course invaluable to any student who steps foot in his classroom. You can ask him anything about finishing and he will either know the answer or know somebody who can answer the question for him. I’ve yet to ask him a question that he can not answer, and believe me, I’ve tried. You will be very hard pressed to find a finer teacher, or a finer person, than Mitch."

"I was lucky enough to have two incredible technical programs within an hour of my home town.  Roughly 10 years after learning to build and repair fretted instruments in Red Wing Minnesota I attended the Wood Finishing Technology program at DCTC.  After 10 years of repairing fretted instruments, and finding myself in need of more information and practice repairing coatings, I knew there was no other place that could give me what I needed.  I also design and build my own instruments and wanted to make sure my finishes were the same quality as the work that went into creating them.  My experience at DCTC exceeded my expectations and now as a teacher in technical education myself, I received the added bonus of watching Mitch Kohanek pass along his knowledge in an inspiring way.  Not only did I learn about wood finishing technology but I was able to learn teaching techniques from “Teacher of the Year” (2003) at DCTC which has gone a long way in developing my skills as a teacher.

Anyone that works with wood will benefit from attending this program.  Also anyone looking for a new career should consider this program.  Wood working experience is NOT required nor is finishing experience.  Mitch will take students through understanding tool preparation, safety and woodworking techniques.  The science of wood is also studied along with methods of fastening.  If you like working with your hands while having your mind faced with new challenges daily you owe it to yourself to talk with Mitch and attend a campus visit day.  Fellow students from my class with absolutely no woodworking experiences did some of the most amazing work and are now very successful artisans."

" have been an art conservator for 10 years and restoring antique frames for 20. There was a need in my area for a spot finisher But I knew nothing about it. I took Mitch's class in July of '06. Although a short class, the techniques I acquired were enough to bring home and apply to any in home situation. The short class gives you the basic knowledge and your hard work makes you proficient at this craft. Use it everyday, learn from your mistakes and victories. In just eight months I am dealing with some form of spot repair every day and my business is continuing to grow. With the knowledge I now have, I would love to go back and take an advanced class. All my appreciation to Mitch and DCTC for a job well done!"

Shane Bufmeyer
West End, NC
"Deep River Furniture In Home Repair"

"I was miserable working as a rough plumber in 2001. I was first introduced to Mitch in 2002. I graduated the Wood Finish Technology Program in 2005.
Upon meeting Mitch Kohanek I was immediately impressed with his teaching style and depth of knowledge. Before enrolling I visited the DCTC Wood Finishing Facility several times, spoke with many enrolled students and graduates and visited with business owners familiar with program. The message was always the same: Mitch is an outstanding instructor who will help you become a knowledgeable and successful professional.

Due largely to Mitchs training, upon graduation I had a job waiting for me finishing and touching up high end cabinets and furniture in Kailua, Hawaii. As my skill level continued to improve beyond the scope of the job and my interests shifted toward repair, I was able to again draw on the skills Id learned and practiced in Mitch's program. I found work in Charleston, S.C. performing correct conservation and restoration practices on 100-200 year old pieces. As the economy turned, the definition of my work changed, but not the nature of it. Because I was able to speak the language and deliver the service of wood finishing to my customers, I was subcontracted to perform "onsite" repair, furniture refinishing, furniture restoration and even musical instrument repair to many shops along the east coast. That went on until I interviewed with a shop and was asked to join their wood finishing team... since the spring of 2008 I've finished, refinished and conserved furnishings in Washington, D.C. for the U.S. House of Representatives.

I think anyone would benefit from taking the Wood Finish Technology program with Mitch. Hand tool preparation, power tool use, wood identification, color theory and finish material selection are a few of the many important learned skills I owe to the Wood Finish Technology program. Applying those skills have made me more marketable to furniture and cabinet manufacturers as well as restoration professionals. I am now able to critically analyze any wooden object and develop and execute a successful treatment schedule quickly and accurately.

Thanks to a program designed by an outstanding instructor, Ive joined the ranks of knowledgeable and successful professionals."

"The Wood Finishing Technology program awoke an interest in me when I fist heard of it. I thought it would be a good way to use artistic skills and interest in a practical manner. The program ended up giving me a lot more than that.

It was a great introduction to the various areas within wood and furniture, and it gave me a broad base of knowledge that I use every day in my work. Not only does it have a thorough and knowledgeable pedagogy, it also encourages critical thinking and problem solving beyond simple technique. I believe this is one of the most useful tools one can have.

Upon graduation from DCTC I was accepted to a two year course in Florence Italy, designed to study restoration/conservation. The year I spent at DCTC allowed me to go directly into the second year.

I now live in Oslo Norway where I worked for an upholsterer when I first got here. After a month or so, I secured a job at a gallery in town. It is owned by a conservator of paintings, who specializes in fire and water damaged paintings. He gets a lot of work from insurance companies. Well, these paintings have frames...and that's where I come in. I do restoration work, gilding and repair of the frames. I also do regular framing from time to time. There's a lot of cleaning soot and smell removing. It’s quite interesting, always getting new things in, working with different solutions and things like enzyme cleaners....

No day is the same, which is part of what I like so much! I like the people I work with, and its fun to be in a gallery setting as well, with new exhibits going on all the time.

There's a very nice antique store across the street that we do some work for. We were called to reframe a painting by Edward Munch...a painting costing somewhere around $300 000! So, it’s exciting! And it all started at Dakota County Technical College."

"I first heard about the Dakota County Wood Finishing program while I was attending the Technical school in Red Wing, MN where I was to learn about guitar building and repair. I became interested in the finishing process and wanted to learn as much as I could about it. I decided to go through the program and entered in 2004.

Mitch was a very good teacher and willing to go the extra "mile" for his students. The education I received was excellent as well as the network of the class. After I graduated, I was helped by Mitch and a former graduate, Matt Squires, who I am greatly indebted to in the process of getting a job. I got a job in Massachusetts working for the Woodmeister Corporation where I was able to gain much needed experience. I worked there for one year and then decided to move to Austin, TX. I am currently employed by Collings Guitars as a finisher.

I was able to get a job combining two of my great loves and I enjoy what I do. One of the things I liked about the program is that it opened my eyes to a great many possibilities for a future and I realized how many other wooden products there are besides guitars. Thank you, Mitch. "

"In May 2006 I graduated at DCTC. I applied at HOM Furniture in Coon Rapids, MN. Without any other relevant work experience than the Wood Finishing Technology program, I was immediately hired and paid as Repair Technician and not as Apprentice as it normally happens. The knowledge and practical training provided by the program allows me to keep up easily with the daily challenges."

In March of 2008 researching a wood finish I came upon the National Institute of Wood Finishing website. Astounded I thought, what is this? Being a painting contractor and looking to expand my skill level into other ventures this program immediately sounded like something designed just for me. As I read through the syllabus and testimonials I knew I must venture from Montana to Minnesota and see for myself what this was really about. When I toured the classroom and work area and saw what the current students were doing I knew this is where I wanted to be. Fortuitously I was able to secure the last open spot for 2008-2009. This all 3 weeks after learning of the program. Without delay my wife and I began to make plans to move to Minneapolis for 10 months.

Mitch eases everyone into this intense program. He shapes your skills from the ground up, building a sturdy foundation in color theory. Even the most talented students are challenged and Mitch will not leave you with an uninteresting moment. As you strive further Mitch pushes your potential as far as you dare to take it, leading you on the path to success. As the student advances through the program you see how one class develops into the next finally reaching the crucial goal- an unyielding understanding of color, coatings, wood, conservation, solvents, spot repair, adhesives, methods of application, tools used and modus operandi. Through Wood Finishing Technology you as the student can find out how many things there really are to know about wood finishing. This is a sound program that Mitch has designed and honed for over 30 years.

Upon re-entering the workforce I am slowly building my own Wood Finishing business. Now contracting on-site wood finishing work I feel I have an edge over the local competition. I’ve executed successful spot repairs and attractive interior finishes. I am able to offer many finishing solutions and options on projects old and new from furniture to architectural millwork. My knowledge from N.I.W.F. is used on a daily basis. Everyday I think of new ideas and I am impressed how far this education has already taken me.  

Mitch Kohanek is inspiring, passionate and dedicated to teaching you the art and craft of wood finishing. He has instilled in me a level of confidence and a thirst to seek out and learn more about finishing. This program is one of a kind. It has enhanced my quality of life immeasurably. Thanks Mitch. I’ll see you at one of your summer offerings.

"I graduated from Mitch Kohanek’s Wood Finish Technology Program May of 2003.  It was a big investment moving from my family in Atlanta, however a decision that I was completely comfortable with after meeting Mitch and extremely delighted upon graduating.  His program was the best and quickest way for me to be successful changing my occupation.  Mitch was totally committed to my success as well as each of the other students in my class.  The quality and content of his instruction was beyond any of my hopes, providing me with the knowledge and confidence to tackle any wood finish and repair issues.  Through his program, I also developed a network of professionals to discuss problems.

My business has blossomed and I just completed incorporating it.  I will only be satisfied with graduates from Mitch’s program for my employment needs.  I appreciate daily the education I received and understand fully why you named him “Instructor of the Year” at DCTC the year I attended.  Please feel free to use me as a reference for this valuable program."

"After Graduating from the Wood Finishing Technology program, I started up my own business - Gunderson Restoration. I specialize in woodwork restoration in early 1900s homes, but also work some on new homes and additions. Many of my jobs such as at the Minnesota State Capital and various nationally recognized historic homes, would not have been possible without the training I received from Mitch Kohanek at DCTC. The Wood Finishing program provided me with a base of knowledge that I am continually building on. The qualifications of Mitch, and his training at the Smithsonian, have given me instant credibility in the eyes of my perspective customers.

The opportunities in wood finishing are limitless --- what is limiting, is lack of knowledge. The Wood Finishing Technology program is the best source for this type of knowledge in the country."

"I am a 2001 graduate of the Wood Finishing Programs at DCTC and was once told by a wiser man than I, “Success begets success”. The training and knowledge gained during my nine months at DCTC was the foundation necessary to enter a demanding workforce. Following my nine months at DCTC I continued to enter a year long apprenticeships with private business in Minnesota, Iowa and Wisconsin, followed up by opening my own business (www.inmanfurniture.com) in January of 2006.

Mitch, your program gave me the confidence and credentials to repair an 1848 Walnut Bookcase for the State Historical Society of Wisconsin (this piece was the oldest and first commissioned furniture by the State for the State of Wisconsin). I am the Touch Up Artist for the Madison Wisconsin area and I service over 14 major furniture stores, moving van lines, designers and countless private collectors.

I cannot thank you enough for your time and dedication to your students and your trade. Your personal involvement has changed many lives, including mine."

Two years ago I took a trip that would infinitely alter the course of my educational existence.  Though that first drive to DCTC was only forty minutes long, undertaking that initial endeavor lead me on an everlasting quest to improve my personal skills, positive attitude and individual character.  Wrapped up behind Mitch’s glasses were the eyes of a man whose confidence and poise displayed his fearlessness and willingness teach any open ear anything and everything he know about wood finishing.  When I asked him if the sandpaper he was demonstrating with was ‘friable’ or ‘non-friable’, he said he was “getting goosebumps”—now that’s what I call passion.  All I had to do now was wait for the next semester to begin that coming fall.

In a matter of months, I went from a 25-year-old who had no idea what he wanted to be, to a man who had a clear vision and tenacious drive to be the best “wood finishing scientist” the world has ever known.  You see, like a piece of wood, a wood finisher must be properly prepared before they are sent to the booth.  If necessary, they must first be “decontaminated” of any grease, oil or information that would hinder a finishing schedule.   Then they must be systematically sanded, starting from a lower grit progressing, without skipping any pertinent information, to higher and higher grits, until smooth.  This is how we were trained and our disciplines developed, learning in steps; first the basics so we could further understand the more complicated matter.

With Mitch’s nation-wide connections, I was able to secure a job with a company that met all my needs as a freshly developed professional.  And the same was true for my employer.  The drive and skill I had acquired and brought to the table, almost instantly drove them to hire me very early on in the interviewing process.  Not only could I perform the duties of a furniture repairer, refinisher, and spot repair/touch up artist, but also a keen understanding of restoration and conservation, which are a new avenue for them.  You can find the company I now work for at www.woodfinishing.com, and see the work we recently finished for the Kansas State Capital—what a life!

My experience at the National Institute of Wood Finishing was only as good as it was because of the instructor’s individual care and concern for every student in the current class, past classes, and future classes. If you are still looking, you have found it.

Thanks for everything Mitch!
Ben Myre, Topeka KS

"I had been in business for about three years working and learning as I could from books and magazine articles. As a member of the moderated e-mail group, The Professional Refinishers Group, I attended a Group meeting that was hosted Mitch Kohanek and DCTC.  While there I saw Mitch’s graduates doing work that was years beyond what I could do.  That was when I decided I needed to make the personal sacrifice and move away from home to attend the 9-month finishing program.  The 9-month finishing program took years off of my learning curve.  It turned me from an average refinisher to somebody that produces world-class work. 

As a result of my work with Mitch, I possess diverse expertise ranging from onsite touch-up to restoration to production finishing.  Upon moving back to Texas, my new skills allowed me to produce superior quality work in less time.  Now my business is flourishing.  To accommodate my increased business, I have expanded my work area into a bigger building in downtown Burkburnett.  It was a good decision and I’m happy I attended the program."

-Charlie Lewis | Lewis Furniture Restoration | www.lewisfurniturerestoration.com

After 30 years with the IBM Corporation, I was afforded the opportunity to retire and pursue my dream of building my own woodworking and antique restoration business
 
I knew that to be successful, I would need to deepen my skill set and thus finding the best qualified teacher was critical.  I felt as though I scoured the planet looking for the very best and thankfully met Mitch Kohanek at the Marc Adam's School of  Woodworking.  Mitch was impressive, to be certain, but I need to be sure.  I traveled to Minneapolis and continued the discussion with Mitch.  I also spent time with various students in his program.  By the end of the visit, I was sold.  I had no further doubts and promptly enrolled.  At the age of 55, I found myself in an apartment in Minneapolis and beginning the program.   This was a huge decision given the commitment of time and money as well leaving home for 9 months. I certainly had no idea then, but it would turn out to be one of the best decisions that I had ever made.

The program was excellent, with a very strong orientation toward building hands on skills. It can best be described as theory put into action.  New theories, approaches and  techniques are immediately reinforced in the shop with numerous and well planned exercises.  I found that this way of instruction gave me a strong combination of technical knowledge and the hands on skills to apply that knowledge.  My confidence soared.  Mitch's ability to teach a complex subject was phenomenal!

I've have had many professors and instructors through out my college and professional years.  In my view, Mitch Kohanek is without a doubt, the best teacher that I have ever had.   Mitch brings a unique combination of skills, teaching ability and personal commitment to your success.

By the end of the program, I had a very solid base to launch my second career.  In the summer of 2009,  I opened the doors of my new business - Encore Restorations. (www.encore-restores.com ).  I've been busy and have recently be asked to formally present to a group of over 100 woodworkers on best woodfinishing practices.

If you would like to take your knowledge and skills to the next level, then this program for you.   This is an excellent program with an outstanding instructor.

"I am a 1994 graduate from the Wood Finishing Technology Program. I truly have been astounded by the variety of projects that I have been asked to do. I immediately started my own business upon leaving school, and nearly everything I learned in school, I have been offering as a service. Through the years, I found that onsite location work brought me the most satisfaction, and the challenge I was looking for.

My onsite repairs have varied from basic spot repair, to complete refinishing and restoration of furniture, as well as large exotic wood panels in high-end office buildings. I have been regarded as “a finisher who does finishing by the acre”.  I wrote an article in the Professional Refinishing Magazine about one of these adventures called “Long Halls Longer Haul”. It describes a one of a kind tree that was cut into veneer, which in turn was made into the paneling and furniture for the entire floor, in one very impressive office building. The coating failed, the veneer could not be replaced, and with a crew of graduates from the Wood Finishing Program we spent two years removing and replacing the coating and color on those panels and furniture. Everything I had ever learned was being tested. I have since performed several of these types of operations, as well as being flown around the country to problem solve and repair failed coatings on location.

My knowledge and understanding gained from Mitch Kohanek about wood, surface preparation, dyes, stains, fillers, glazes, color matching, spot repair, coatings, the equipment to apply those coatings, chemistry, conservation and more importantly how to problem solve, gave me the confidence to tackle those jobs as if I were in the safe confines of my finishing shop.

As the owner of an onsite Wood Finishing Company, Fresh Air Finishers, I choose to go no other place than the National Wood Finishing Institute to look for potential employees, and qualified sub-contractors.

Over the years I have had the pleasure of working with over 20 highly skilled wood finishing artisans, all of them graduates of the Wood Finishing program. Because of their talents and skills our company has been able to tackle some unbelievable projects across the country.

Knowing that I have access to such a talented group of people, I am willing to take on ever more challenging projects, as I know the graduates will be up to the challenge.

Thank you Mitch Kohanek for putting out such a fantastic group of artisans every year, for the past 29 years!!"

David Smith
Davills Wood Finishing | http://davills.com/
Fresh Air Finishers | http://www.freshairfinishers.com/

"The Woodfinishing Technology Program at DCTC is a wonderful resource both for students and for graduates.  It is the only comprehensive repository for knowledge and technology in the woodfinishing field of which I know, and it is readily available to those who seek.  I feel that it is a real treasure."

 "I graduated from Mitch Kohanek’s Wood Finishing Program in 1995.  I was a hobbyist wood refinisher before starting at DCTC.  Mitch was a very patient and kind instructor.  His passion for all aspects of wood was very inspiring.  As the end of the program neared, I felt a great confidence in the education I received and decided to start my own business.  My shop doors opened in November of 1995, and I named my business Sweet Memories Restoration.  For a short time, I ran my business as the sole proprietor.  I met Marcia Carlton in the Wood Finishing Program, and she graduated in 1996.  Soon after she graduated, I invited her to be my business partner.  We each brought our own strengths to the table and together we make an amazing team.  Marcia and I have been running our successful business for almost twelve years. 

Throughout the years, I have been blessed to work on so many beautiful and unique projects.  There is nothing more inspiring to me than watching the look in client’s eyes when they see the finished piece.  Family heirlooms and sentimental pieces are our specialties. 

"It gave me the opportunity to learn a trade that would have taken years of apprenticeship to learn and understand."

"It linked me into a very large and very “close knit” circle of fellow craftsmen, of whom I can lean on for support and knowledge, covering a wide variety of topics, covering the entire realm of our industry and profession."

"Being the only certified Wood Finishing program in the nation, it has provided myself with a credibility that many competitors do not have."

"It has opened the doors to a number of possibilities in the profession, such as job opportunities and furthering education.  Going through the program has helped me understand and achieve results in the field that I can walk away from with an incredible sense of pride and satisfaction."

"From dairy farmer to wood finisher, DCTC's Wood Finishing Technology Program, under the instruction of Mitch Kohanek, gave me the knowledge and skills I needed to restore or refinish vintage pianos. I have been employed by Petit Music, headquartered in Rochester, MN,(petitmusic.com) since my graduation in 2003. With the diversity of people in our class, Mitch was committed to ensure that all students were taught the science of colors, finishes, finish choices and technics to apply them.

This knowledge has helped me solve problems in the restoration process of pianos. Not only was our study informational, we had hands on instruction completing various projects. We also had opportunities to network inside and outside the classroom with other professional finishers.

Finishing new wood, as well as preservation of past craftmanship, can only be achieved with a quality program. The value of a formal educational setting is necessary to accomplish this goal. I would not have obtained the success in my current career without the expertise of Mitch and DCTC's Wood Finishing Technology Program."

Mitch, Thank You!

"I had the pleasure and honor of attending/graduating from the Wood Finishing Program during the 2002-03 school year.  It was the finest, highest quality and most enjoyable educational experience of my life!  Only class I have ever attended where the entire class was always present 30 minutes in advance to ensure not missing any great material.

I graduated from Regis University with a degree in Mathematics & Physics.  During my career with Xcel Energy as an Industrial Sales Executive I began pursuing my second love . . . Woodworking and Antique Furniture Restoration.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mitch Kohanek at a Woodworking Show here in Denver.  Through his series of mini-seminars, I quickly realized that he had much to offer. After researching the options, it was clear that DCTC’s Wood Finishing Program was of highest quality and truly unique in the country . . . it was apparent I had to do whatever it took to attend this Program.

For me, it was huge commitment in time and money to temporally leave my home in Colorado and attend this Program . . . and it was the best decision I have ever made!  Through this Program I have gained the technical knowledge, invaluable skills and a rich source of resources, which I use in restoring and preserving antique furniture as well as on the new furniture that I build.

The Wood Finishing Program is an invaluable resource of technical expertise, very well furnished shop with a wide range of modern machinery and scientific equipment, plus one of the finest libraries on Antique Furniture & Wood and Finishing Technology.  Most important is the emphasis on high quality bench-work from an exceptional Master Craftsman and Instructor!

In my opinion, Mitch Kohanek and the Wood Finishing Program are among our living National Treasures!  Mitch brings a unique blend of technical expertise, master craftsmanship and superb instructorship!"

"As a 2003 graduate of the Wood Finishing Technology program, I have gained   knowledge and the skills needed for switching to a new career.  It is solely because of the quality and depth of the program that has given me the tools to grow a successful business in an area I hardly knew existed before."

"When I took a serious look at this program, I got all the information available, visiting the class in action.  Being in the computer industry for a long time, analysis was second nature.  But what I found during this decision was that my gut feeling got me excited and stirred my desire to step up and get going."

"I was encouraged to find an area that spoke to my creativity and the artist within me that was always in the background but never really allowed to come out and be of use.  The journey has been worth it.  I get that satisfaction of doing a good job.  Challenges are there to help me continue to grow and I am never bored like the ‘other’ job."

"The instructor, Mitch Kohanek, is one of the very best at bringing out the best in his students.  Listening to my interests, desires and dreams, he encouraged me to find my hidden potential."

" Thank you Mitch for the start and the program that has changed my life for the better."

"I am a hobbyist woodworker and finishing always seemed mysterious and difficult.  I wanted to take the mystery out of finishing and I wanted to know why I should select any one finish over another one.  Most importantly, I wanted to learn how to make my projects look the way I envisioned them! 

I attended the “Finishing New Wood” workshop at Dakota County Technical College in 2005 and was extremely impressed with the program and with the instructor.  Mitch is an expert in the field of wood finishing and he knows how to convey that expertise.  The program was a good mix of lectures and hands on wood finishing.  We learned about many different types of topcoats, dyes, pigments, toners, glazes, and grain fillers.  We learned how to use brushes, rags, different types of spray equipment, and French polishing techniques to apply them.  What I learned in just one week would have taken years to learn on my own. 

This workshop exceeded my expectations.  I was so impressed with the “Finishing New Wood” program that I took an extra week off work so I could stay for the “Advanced Finishing” program!  I very strongly endorse and recommend the Wood Finishing program at Dakota County Technical College to anyone who works with wood."

"I was first exposed to the wood finishing program at DCTC through a weekend spot repair course that Mitch Kohanek taught at the Marc Adams School of Woodworking back in 2002. I was impressed by Mitch’s mastery of his subject and his ability to teach this middle aged banker and woodworker something about the craft of on-site furniture repair. I had taken the spot repair course somewhat by accident, but Mitch’s instruction and his description of the furniture spot repair business got me thinking about changing careers and becoming a spot repair artist and furniture restorer.

Eager to learn more about furniture restoration I took the DCTC Furniture Refinishing, Restoration and Conservation summer course in 2002. In that one week course I was introduced to the skills that I would need to master to become a furniture restorer.

Over the next three years, I took more summer offerings in furniture conservation and finishing through DCTC including Group Shop events for the Professional Refinishers Group and a course offered jointly through the Smithsonian Institution on the Conservation of Polychrome Surfaces. By attending these summer classes and engaging in "perfect practice" at home, I built my skills to the point where I had the confidence to leave my banking career of almost 20 years and start a furniture restoration business in 2005.

I am grateful to Mitch Kohanek and DCTC for offering the instruction I needed to start my own business. The instruction offered is unique and you will not find anything like it across the country. If you want to really learn the wood finishing or furniture restoration trade, there is no better place to go than the National Institute of Woodfinishing!"

-Timothy O. Puro | Monroe Furniture Restoration | www.FurnitureRestore.net

"As a conservator in private practice for the past eighteen years, who runs a busy New York City furniture conservation studio, I have felt that periodically refreshing my body of knowledge makes good business sense, permitting me to keep abreast of the evolving standards in the conservation field. The National Institute of Wood Finishing offers some of the most valuable workshops I have taken. For example, it hosts the Smithsonian Conservation Workshops taught by Don Williams, of "Saving Stuff: How to Care for and Preserve Your Collectibles, Heirlooms, and Other Prized Possessions" fame. The facility is the best in the country for wood finishing education, the interaction with fellow students was great, and the instructors know their material and understand how to present it well. These workshops paid for themselves many times over!"