NEWS
MAKERS
COMFORTEX AWARDS FIRST BLINDCRAFTER
OF THE YEAR
Comfortex Corp., Maplewood, NY, has named Dave Watkins, Window Covering
Outlet, Boise, ID, its first BlindCrafter of the Year. The award was
presented to Watkins at the company’s National BlindCrafter Convention
held in Orlando, FL, in late June.
Watkins founded Window Covering Outlet in 1994 and began retail fabrication
initially with Symphony cellular shades and added Woodwinds and Woodwinds
Shutters. He was an early member of the BlindCrafter program and has
seen sales grow by more than 33 percent over prior years.
Comfortex also honored runners up Royal Crest, Oak Park, MI, and The
Blind Factory, Lakeland, FL.
OXFORD HOUSE NAMES BAUER VP OPERATIONS
AT FLORIDA FACILITY
Brian Bauer has joined the Oxford House family as Vice President
of Operations to the South facility in Melbourne, FL. Bauer brings
more than 20 years experience in the window coverings industry to
his new post. He owned his own retail store for four years and was
a wholesale fabricator for 10 years. Bauer also spent four years
as a general manager of a shutter manufacturing facility.
Oxford House believes Bauer’s leadership, industry knowledge
and professionalism will assist in offering excellent customer service
to its customer base.
MASTERCRAFT HONORS BAZEY, ADDS LOCKE
TO CUSTOMER SERVICE
Mastercraft Shutters, Rice Lake, WI has recently recognized Rhonda
Bazey for 20 years of exemplary service in the customer service department.
According to Paul Anderson, sales manager, “It is long-term,
dedicated employees such as Bazey in production and in the office
that enable us to develop the relationships we have with our customers.”
Mastercraft is also responding to growth and the need to maintain
service that exceeds expectations by adding a new customer service
representative. Matt Locke joins the customer service department after
three years in production with Mastercraft Industries.
ELMAR ADDS NEW JERSEY CONSULTANT
Elmar Window Fashions®, Willow Grove, PA, announces Jamie
Nolen as the new consultant in the New Jersey territory. Nolen has
been with Elmar for a little less than two years as the Mid-Atlantic/Northeast
Shutter Specialist.
Nolen’s extensive knowledge of the industry, coupled with his
shutter experience both at Elmar and prior, make him a valuable
asset to the team.
SOMFY APPOINTS ACKERMAN
Somfy Systems, Inc., Cranbury, NJ, announces the appointment of Marty
Ackerman as Systems Integrations Engineer. In his new position, he
will be a liaison between Somfy and home automation and audio/video
manufacturers, educating them about the methods of integrating Somfy
products with theirs so they can offer their customer base a seamless
window shade control.
Ackerman brings 10 years of experience from BEI Automation where he
engineered and marketed a product line to audiovisual systems integrators.
COMFORTEX ANNOUNCES NINE SALES POSITION
CHANGES
Comfortex Corp., Maplewood, NY, has announced nine new sales territory
managers and sale support representatives.
Joseph Accarino will serve as sales support and service representative
in the Florida region. He has an extensive background in sales management
and customer service. His primary responsibilities are product installation
training and merchandising.
Jesse Fried will be responsible for managing the New Jersey area.
He in an almost 20-year veteran of the window fashions industry.
Don Fries becomes territory manager for southern Ohio and Kentucky.
He brings 28 years of experience in the window fashions business
and a substantive background in Comfortex products to his new post.
Barbara Jenkins will serve as territory manager in the western
New York, Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio regions. She has a background
in custom window draperies and workroom business.
Robert Marusak has relocated from Minnesota, North Dakota and South
Dakota to become the territory manager for the Pennsylvania area.
He has been with the company since 1997.
Kathleen Mickelson will be responsible for Minnesota, North Dakota
and South Dakota. She comes to Comfortex after spending four years
as the window coverings sales manager at Home Depot in Minnesota.
Ken Mork joins the company with more than 20 years experience in
the commercial building interiors field. He will be the territory
manager for Oregon, southwest Washington and southern Idaho.
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