At Cabinet Depot, we believe that the people on our team are the most important part of our business.

Brendan Wilkes serves as the head of the Cabinet Depot family. Never one to shy away from a challenge, he truly enjoys helping customers that come in with unusual requests and difficult problems. If your kitchen, bathroom or storage area quandaries have left you scratching your head, bring it in to Brendan at Cabinet Depot!

Name: Brendan Wilkes

Title at Cabinet Depot: “Owner, General Manager, Designer”

Years in the business: “I’ve been working in the cabinet industry since 1998”

Past jobs: “I’ve had quite a few jobs over the years, including fish fillet-er, tire changer, pizza dude and waiter. I also worked as a home inspector, so I am very familiar with construction techniques and know the right way to tackle complicated remodeling projects.”

Where do you live? “I currently live with my wife and kids in Pace, but I am originally from Perry, FL. I moved to the Pensacola area in 1987.”

What’s your favorite thing about working at Cabinet Depot? “Solving difficult design problems. I love finding the perfect solution for an unusual space, working in all the needed functions and making it look great.”

How do your co-workers describe you? “OCD, ADD, ADHD… Really, I’m just super dedicated, detail oriented, and willing to help wherever I can.”

What’s are your favorite current trends in cabinet design? “European cabinets with a transitional look, accented with an island that looks like it was in a fire… The contrast of fine workmanship with a distressed finish is just fantastic. I also really enjoy the recent trend towards stacked cabinetry that takes advantage of higher modern ceilings. We’ve had quite a few customers ask us to incorporate repurposed wood and antique furniture into our designs lately as well.”

What’s the most unusual job you’ve been asked to design? “Custom cabinets for an Airstream RV. It was a real challenge fitting everything they needed into that tight space.”

What’s your favorite food? “Sushi and Hibachi.”

Favorite color? “Hunter Green”

What’s your favorite local charity? “Gulf Coast Kids House. They do a lot of great work for our community.”

What hobbies do you enjoy in your off time? “What is this ‘off time’ you speak of?”

We hope that you will stop in to our showroom at 4109 N. Davis Highway in Pensacola and say hello to Brendan and the whole Cabinet Depot team.

Favorite Quote:  “You will find whatever it is you are looking for.  Look for something good.” – Unknown

Cats or Dogs? Both!  I have a sweet pup named Flint. You can find him here “working” some times.  I also have a cat named Kettle who is the bravest animal I know.  She is savage.

Favorite Food? I am obsessed with Thai food!  But I literally love all food, with the exception of turtle. And I don’t care if you tell me I didn’t have it cooked right. It is disgusting!

Favorite thing about Pensacola?  Easy access to salt water and fishing!

What is the most inspiring part of your job?  The most inspiring part of my job is working with a team of folks who are not only extremely hardworking, creative and talented, but also really enjoy helping people.  They inspire me to be a better person every day.

When I am not killing it at work, I enjoy…?  Spending time with family and friends, fishing, camping, thrifting.

What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars?  Integrity, kindness, and helpfulness are everything around here.  A sense of humor is a must!

Favorite Quote: “Don’t Give Up, Don’t Ever Give Up”-Jim Valvano

Favorite thing about Pensacola? It’s a great home base. It’s close to major cities, sport complex’s, & concert venues. The beaches and weather make it a great place to live, as well.

What is the most inspiring part of your job?  My co-workers are like family and the customers fuel our creativity by supplying their own which makes what we do that much more enjoyable.

What is something that homeowners have to deal with in our industry that you want to fix? I feel that some businesses over promise and under deliver leaving some bitterness/disappointment within the relationship. I enjoy flipping the switch by providing a customer with overwhelming service while going above and beyond without expectation.

What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars? We take our work seriously, not ourselves, so being able to roll with the punches and go with the flow is a vital piece of how we operate.

Fun fact people may not know about me…? Prior to accepting the position with Cabinet Depot as a Kitchen & Bath Designer, I spent 15 years in the hospitality industry working at a Country Club, in Pensacola, booking and running special events such as weddings, birthday parties, proms, reunions, etc. The experience within hospitality has helped me be successful with communication skills and building positive relationships.

Favorite Quote:
“Be yourself, because an original is worth more than a copy.” -Suzy Kassem

Cats or Dogs? I love all dogs, especially any dog that snorts. Pugs and French bulldogs stop me in my tracks every time and I have to play with their squishy, dumb heads.

Favorite Movie?
I don’t really watch movies. The only TV I watch these days is Bob’s Burgers.

Favorite Food?
Bahn Mi. It’s a vietnamese sandwich and it is pure magic on a bun.

Favorite thing about Pensacola?
I like being able to ride my bike downtown and the art museums and galleries. Also, I love how there are so many breweries now! I’m also a big fan of the beaches and parks here, especially Ft. Pickens. That beach is the coolest.

What is the most inspiring part of your job? I love helping people feel great about their home, especially seeing people’s faces light up when I show them the 3D rendering of the design. It’s so fun! Also, I love my team that I work with. We have a great dynamic, bouncing ideas off of each other, being super supportive of one another, and they make me laugh which is really the best part!

If I was a superhero my super power would be..?
Carb bypass. Am I right? Nah, it would probably be invisibility. That sounds like the most fun.

What I know for sure is…?
To always follow the golden rule: Treat others as you’d like to be treated. There’s really no way to know what others are going through, so lead with compassion.

What is something that homeowners have to deal with in our industry that
you want to fix?
The 80’s. Enough Said.

When I am not killing it at work, I enjoy…?

I enjoy painting, making art, writing songs, and playing shows at different venues around Pensacola.

What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of
Superstars?
Lead with your personality, the rest will follow.

Fun fact people may not know about me…? That I’m an artist. I’m not as public with my visual art, so oftentimes people who know me and know that I’m a musician don’t know that I also paint. codycopeland.com yall!

Someone I admire and why?
My parents. Besides the fact that they are kind, loving, and supportive, they keep their minds open, and that’s really an admirable trait to aspire to.

My biggest pet peeve is…?
When people don’t use their left turn signal at the stop light.

On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me…
Having a french press on my back porch and listening to music, working on a home-improvement project, or packing up for the beach.

3 words that best describe me are…
Creative, Kind, Thoughtful

When I am not working, I am happiest doing….?
Having a beer with good friends.

Favorite Quote:  “The life of the individual has meaning only insofar as it aids in making the life of every living thing nobler and more beautiful. Life is sacred, that is to say, it is the supreme value, to which all other values are subordinate.” – Albert Einstein

Favorite Food? All of it

Favorite thing about Pensacola? Being only 48 minutes from the Gulf, and the small town feel in a “big city”.

What I enjoy most about working at Cabinet Depot is…? I love meeting new people and fixing their problems.

What is something that homeowners have to deal with in our industry that you want to fix?  Seeing their dreams through to completion

When I am not killing it at work, I enjoy…?  Spending time with my son.

What advice would you give a candidate who wants to join our team of superstars?  Be prepared to have an awesome family, but at the same time work your butt off for it.

Fun fact people may not know about me…?  I love to travel and experience new cultures.

On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me…  at Scenic 90 Diner having mullet and cheese grits or cooking on my own.

When I am not working, I am happiest doing….?

Hanging out with my coworkers, friends, and son.

My personal motto is?

If you need a tool and you don’t have it, then you are already paying for it.

In case you’re wondering who the Boss is around here… Meet Flint!

He’s our Official Showroom Greeter!