NEWSMAKERS
CASTILLO-RISNER NAMED VP,
VERTILUX WEST COAST
Vertilux, Miami, FL, has promoted Rick Castillo-Risner to Vice President
of Vertilux West Coast, Los Angeles, CA. He will be responsible
for leading the sales direction of the distributor center sales
efforts across California state.
Castillo-Risner comes to Los Angeles with more than 15 years of
experience in the window coverings industry. His extensive background,
knowledge and sensitivity will be instrumental in helping Vertilux’s
accounts grow their businesses in the West Coast area, according
to a company statement.
SMITH HONORED WITH COURAGE
AWARD
Betty Lou Smith, Hunter Douglas vice president of corporate human
resources, was honored by the Care Plus Foundation at its annual
Courage Awards dinner in June. Smith was cited for her work in addressing
the needs of the mentally ill.
Smith helped initiate the Hunter Douglas Employee Assistance Program,
which provides counseling in 26 states to company employees and
their families through Care Plus New Jersey. She provides workplace
support for more than 9,000 employees in 40 Hunter Douglas divisions
across North America.
The Care Plus Foundation is a non-profit corporation dedicated to
mental health issues, providing public education, program development,
community relations and fundraising support to Care Plus NJ, which
offers comprehensive metal health services.
MATLACK TO DIRECT WESTGATE'S
NEW BATH DIVISION
Westgate, New York, NY, the corporate brand for Home Fashions
International (HFI), announces Denise Matlack will head up the company’s
new bath division as vice president of sales and business development,
bath fashions.
Matlack most recently was vice president and national sales manager
for the Westgate bedding division. She has more than 20 years of
experience in the home textiles industry. Prior to HFI, she was
vice president of sales and merchandising for bath at Barth &
Dreyfuss, a leading supplier of kitchen textiles, table linens and
accessories.
“The formation of a bath division represents a significant
development in the evolution of our business,” explained Tom
Healy, president. Westgate will debut approximately 10 freestanding
bath fashions and 10 fully coordinating bed and bath ensembles at
the February Home Textiles Market in New York. All bath ensembles
will feature shower curtains, coordinating towels, coordinating
bath rugs and a full complement of bath accessories.
HICKORY HARDWARE NAMES THREE
TO MANAGEMENT TEAM
Hickory Hardware™, Portland, TN, announces three additions
to its management team. They are Barbara Tamkin, human resources
director; Matt Southards, digital asset manager; and Robert Shirley,
program manager.
Tamkin joins Hickory Hardware after serving 19 years as human resources
administrator at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN. Her experience
in human resource administration includes retirement planning, benefit
programs, program development and training, as well as other aspects
of human resources management.
Southards joins the company following the completion of his master’s
in business administration with concentrations in general management
and IT management at the University of Illinois. He has experience
in mobile connectivity and Web portals for municipal-scale and smaller
WiFi and WiMAX networks.
Shirley comes to Hickory Hardware from the technical support department
of Dell Computer, after spending most of his career in the project
management of automotive production system projects for companies
like Saturn and Nissan. In his newly created position, Shirley will
manage internal strategic development, risk management and programs
for key customers.
HFPA REAPPOINTS JENNINGS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Home Fashion Products Association (HFPA), New York, NY, announces
the reappointment of Carolynn Jennings as Executive Director. Jennings
is back after a one-year hiatus and will once again provide leadership
and staff support to HFPA’s Board of Directors and member
companies. She also will work closely with HFPA’s committees
to strengthen organizational operations and activities.
Jennings joined Kellen Co. in 2001, and has served a number of association
clients directing marketing, communications and various technical
and awards programs. She has more than 20 years of experience in
the non-profit sector working for associations as diverse as the
American Institute of Graphic Arts, Dance/USA and the New York City
Association of Life Underwriters. She has developed expertise in
operational effectiveness, finance, marketing and event planning.
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