Meet Greg Papenfus of Ideal Cabinets

Meet Greg Papenfus, General Manager of our Roanoke Valley Operations.  Greg is a cabinet man in his soul.  He loves designing and selling residential and commercial cabinetry.  He began his journey in the cabinet business back in 1977 when he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Wood Products Engineering from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry.

While Greg is from New York, he has been in Virginia so long that he talks like he’s a native.  After graduation in 1977, he came down to Virginia to visit for two weeks and never left.  He fell in love with the people, the seasons, and specifically the Roanoke Valley with its beautiful mountains.  He loves communing with nature.  Mabry Mill is one of his favorite places. He says Roanoke gives him the perfect balance of Big City and Small town.

Since Greg’s journey in the cabinetry business began, he has accomplished many goals along the way, here are a few:

  • Working in Cabinet Sales and Manufacturing since 1983
  • Being recognized as a Certified Kitchen Designer #15416 by the National Kitchen and Bath Association since 1993.
  • He has taught classes at Virginia Tech for their Interior Design Curriculum
  • He has been published in several regional magazines throughout his years in the business.

In addition to all of those accomplishments, he has helped us at Ideal continue to grow in various ways. One important way has been spearheading the growth of our commercial sales by helping us establish our own manufacturing plant in Salem.  Greg has been a tremendous asset to the Ideal team, and we are proud of him and his accomplishments.

When asked what he liked most about working for Ideal Cabinets, Greg replied, “The freedom to be able to produce whatever the customer wants: Remodel, New, Residential or Commercial.  The company core values match my own personal values. Basically, being able to tell the customer, we will always help you.  It might be a $50,000 kitchen, or it might be some free advice and a push in the right direction.  But – We will ALWAYS  help you.”

Finally, no introduction of Greg would be complete without telling you about his lovely wife Judy, who he was happily married to for over 35 years, before she passed away on January 2nd, 2020.  Surrounded by family and friends, Greg, and his sweet daughter, Amanda, have pressed on, living their lives, knowing that is what Judy wanted them to do. Greg may be a cabinet man in his soul, but his family and friends are his heart.  He is steadfast and loyal to a fault, and a better friend or brother you will never find.

Stop by sometime and meet the Cabinet Man — the Ideal Cabinets, Cabinet Man.