NEWS MAKERS
SUN GLOW ANNOUNCES NEW COO
Sun Glow Window Covering Products of Canada Ltd., Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has announced Philip Cappello has joined the firm as its chief operating officer.
Cappello brings to Sun Glow 12 years of entrepreneurial experience in innovative product development, including the industry’s first interior aluminum shutter. His sales management experience and record of excellent customer relationships add to the founding business philosophy of Sun Glow, the company states.
Cappello plans to expand the firm’s market share in the United States with new product development and comprehensive dealer programs with a strong emphasis in motorization. “I am proud to join a credible company such as Sun Glow that has a strong commitment to customer service and a reputation to excellence. I look forward to this opportunity with great anticipation as we move forward with the introduction of new initiatives including sophisticated motorization solutions, graphics and the expansion into sustainable product offerings,” said Cappello.
Sun Glow, a leading wholesale distributor of window covering components, materials and finished products in Canada with distribution in the United States, has served the window treatments industry for the past 25 years supplying finished products such as roller shades, horizontals, Roman shades, panel tracking and graphic shades.
GCWC DISTRICT SALES MANAGER RECEIVES TOP HONOR
Gulf Coast Window Covering (GCWC), Houston, TX, announces that Connie Ricke has been recognized as one of Hunter Douglas Window Fashions’ Quest for the Best Top Performers for 2006.
With this honor, Ricke was inducted into Marv Hopkins’ Chairman’s Club for the 2006 program year. In addition, Ricke was awarded the title of 2006 Best of the Best for her third consecutive year of excellence in sales performance nationwide.
For her commitment and hard work, Ricke was presented with several gifts including, most notably, the use of a Cadillac STS luxury performance sedan for the next year, all compliments of Hunter Douglas Window Fashions.
Ricke has been with Gulf Coast for more than 10 years and is responsible for accounts located in Austin, TX, and surrounding areas. Gulf Coast Window Covering is a full-line fabricator of Hunter Douglas Window Fashions providing products and services to the trade for more than 50 years.
HELSER BROTHERS APPOINTS BOETSMA, CONNOLLY TO ADMINISTRATIVE POSITIONS
Helser Brothers, Inc., Chandler, AZ, has announced two recent appointments.
Anita Boetsma has been named to the position of public relations director. Boetsma will be responsible for managing all aspects of client and industry interaction for the drapery hardware manufacturing company. With 21 years of experience in the design and window treatment industry, Boetsma has extensive knowledge of products and customer service. She will provide education and sales support for inside sales staff as well as customers.
Arlene Connolly joins Helser Brothers, Inc. as administrative coordinator. She is responsible for policy and procedural development within the Customer Service Department as well as coordination of administrative functions. A native of Montreal, Quebec, Canada, Connolly brings 10 years of experience in operations, sales and order administration. Connelly was previously with Inter-Tel.
WARREN STEVEN ADDS ROBINSON TO MIDWEST SALES TEAM
Warren Steven Window Fashions, Minneapolis, MN, has added to its sales team serving dealers in the Midwest. Richard D. Robinson has joined the company in the Minneapolis/Metro territory.
With more than 22 years in the home furnishings industry, Robinson brings sales expertise and an extensive textile and window coverings background to his new post based on his previous sales positions with Blumenthal Mills and RM Coco Fabrics.
LOTUS WELCOMES THREE NEW HIRES
Lotus & Windoware, Memphis, TN, welcomes its newest hires in customer service: Isabel Magana, Julie White and Cedric Walton. These three have proven themselves by training through the busiest season for construction and renovations requiring window blinds, the company states. Their goal is to provide the best customer service possible.
In addition to a larger staff, Lotus announces the creation of its Web site, www.lotusblind.com. Still under construction, the company welcomes comments and suggestions.
SOMFY NAMES DUNN, EMARD TO FIELD POSTS
Somfy Systems, Inc., Cranbury, NJ, expands its coverage in the Southeast to provide more support to window covering motorization customers in the area. Greg Dunn, who has been a technical sales associate for Somfy since January 2006, will now exclusively educate dealers and fabricators about the Somfy product range, identify motorization opportunities and support interior window treatment customers throughout the multi-state territory.
Dunn also will be responsible for regional trainings and seminars. This change allows him to maximize Somfy’s motorization solutions in this area.
Somfy also adds a field service representative to the South Central area of the United States. Joshua Emard will provide support to window covering motorization customers in the area with product training and education. He is a welcome addition to the Somfy team with his background in customer service management.
HUNTER DOUGLAS ANNOUNCES FIRST WINNERS OF DEALER SALESPERSON REWARD PROGRAM
Hunter Douglas, Upper Saddle River, NJ, has named the first Dealer Salesperson Reward winners as part of its first-ever Hunter Douglas 2007 Summer Sale Event.
The sales event is designed to increase sales through consumer rebates and free product upgrades on many of the company’s custom window fashions products. Run in conjunction with the event, the Dealer Salesperson Reward Program offers a chance for dealers to win rewards in a drawing from the submitted Summer Sale Event rebate forms. The drawings are held every month from July through November. Each month’s drawing has a different prize. The prize for the July drawing is a Sony® 7.2-megapixel digital camera.
The five July winners are: Ailsa Adams, Budget Blinds, University Place, WA; Gladys Perez, The Paint Shop, Old Saybrook, CT; Jason Iverson, Lake Fork Design Center, McCall, ID; Ron Ahlstrom. The Drapery Source, Shingle Springs, CA; and Thom Pruitt, Custom Blinds, Okoboji, IA. |
