During a recent visit to Contemporary Cabinetry East, Purcell Marian representatives Bethany Doverspike, MBA, and Lavardo Pennerman, MBA, met with CEO and Purcell Marian alumnus Paul Hogan to explore alumni engagement opportunities, career pathways for students, and the enduring influence of a Purcell Marian education.

What emerged was a powerful reminder that the Cavalier spirit lives well beyond Hackberry Street — expressed through craftsmanship, humility, innovation, and service.

A Family Business Built on Vision

Contemporary Cabinetry East is a fully custom fabrication company known for complex architectural millwork and commercial installations across the region. The Hogan family purchased the business in 1984, and Paul Hogan joined in 1985, assuming ownership of the building in 1987. Since then, the company has grown into an industry leader while maintaining a deeply hands-on culture.

Every project begins with design development — what Hogan refers to as the “thaw,” when ideas transition from concept into buildable reality. In 2009, the company expanded its capabilities to include additional custom fabrication work, enabling increasingly sophisticated projects.

Where Craft Meets Technology

During the tour, Doverspike and Pennerman observed how traditional skilled trades integrate with advanced manufacturing technology. The facility includes a negative-pressure finishing and painting area, ensuring both safety and precision quality.

Contemporary Cabinetry East also became the first company in the United States to install a large-scale Flexstore ELR automated material-handling system, underscoring Hogan’s commitment to innovation while preserving craftsmanship.

Work That Shapes the Community

The company’s work can be found throughout Greater Cincinnati, including:

• Display cases and millwork throughout Cincinnati’s Union Terminal, including installations in the main public concourse
• Fixtures at Nippert Stadium
• The main greeter desk at the St. Elizabeth Cancer Center in Florence
• Commercial projects such as the Skyline Chili location in Landen — a project rooted in longtime friendship, as Hogan and Mike Misleh attended school together for 13 years

These projects demonstrate how local craftsmanship quietly shapes spaces where communities gather, learn, and heal.

Purpose-Driven Leadership

A particularly meaningful story shared during the visit involved the reuse of materials once slated for disposal. Rather than allowing the pieces to be crushed, Hogan and his team transformed them into a striking finished work — a decision influenced by his experience as a father of a son with autism and a belief in recognizing value where others may not.

That philosophy extends into company culture. An Autism Awareness table greets visitors at the entrance, and Contemporary Cabinetry East partners with the Heights Center for Autism, offering internship experiences that include one-on-one mentorship with fabricators during dedicated Friday afternoon sessions.

The Purcell Marian Ethos at Work

Throughout the conversation, Hogan reflected on how Purcell Marian helped shape his approach to leadership.

He can still be found answering the company phone himself — often surprising callers expecting an assistant — and personally maintains the property, including cutting the grass. For Hogan, leadership means remaining connected to the work and the people doing it.

“The Purcell spirit,” he noted, is about being willing to get your hands dirty.

The discussion also touched on Purcell Marian traditions and legacy, including the school’s longstanding commitment to integration and community — values Hogan sees reflected in both his business and workforce.

Looking Ahead: Opportunities for Students

While this visit focused on relationship-building and learning about Hogan’s journey, it also opened conversations about future collaboration. Potential opportunities include:

• Student facility tours
• Internship pathways
• Connections with Purcell Marian’s construction and entrepreneurship programs
• Career exposure within skilled trades and advanced manufacturing

These possibilities represent meaningful ways alumni can help students see tangible career pathways while strengthening the school’s network of mentorship and experiential learning.

A Living Alumni Legacy

The visit served as a reminder that alumni engagement takes many forms — not only through philanthropy, but through example, partnership, and shared values.

At Contemporary Cabinetry East, the lessons learned at The Castle continue to take shape every day — in craftsmanship, innovation, and a commitment to community.

Once a Cavalier, always a Cavalier.