See the Latest News  See the News Archive

Newsmakers

AHC Hires Warren, Promotes Neiman American Hardwood Co. (AHC), Gardena, CA, has named William Warren to the position of shutter components program supervisor. He will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the program. Warren comes to American Hardwood with experience from Newell, where he was the territory sales manager for the mid- to southern California areas. He also has experience managing the Home Depot accounts. Warren's addition to AHC has allowed Ted Neiman to move into the director of sales and marketing position for shutter components. Neiman formally held the position of national sales manager of shutter components and has led the program to great increases in sales over the past three years. WCAA Names 1999 Officers The Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA) elected new officers during its winter board meeting. The 1999 slate of officers includes: president, LaVelle Pinder, LaVelle Pinder Decorating, Austin, TX; vice president, Jack Fox, Window Covering Specialist, Kalamazoo, MI; and treasurer, Donna Rolsma, Sew Much More, Hetland, SD. The WCAA was founded in 1987 and is the nation's leading organization representing window coverings designers, decorators, retailers and workrooms. Its goals are to make available educational and motivational opportunities, to work for the betterment of the interior fashions industry and to encourage a code of ethics for fair business practices. Hunter Douglas Reorganizes Corporate Marketing Group Hunter Douglas, Upper Saddle River, NJ, has announced the reorganization of the company's corporate marketing group. "We have promoted a group of individuals to take Hunter Douglas to a new level in the areas of advertising, communication, marketing and merchandising," said Jim Mathews, vice president of corporate marketing. The following promotions were effective January 1, 1999: Kathy Burdick, formerly manager, marketing communications for the Window Fashions Division, will become manager, brand advertising. She will be responsible for coordinating the consumer and trade advertising initiatives for the entire corporation and for activities related to brand development including image assessment, sampling and brand positioning. In her new position, Burdick will be responsible for working with all of the company's product/brand management groups to develop a cohesive advertising strategy. She will continue to operate out of the Broomfield, CO, facility and will coordinate the marketing activities of the Window Fashions Division group as well. Penny Steyer, previously corporate marketing administrator, will become manager, marketing communications. Steyer has been instrumental in developing the Sweet's commercial window treatments catalog, the second edition of The Hunter Douglas Guide to Window Decorating and the What to Wear if You're a Window consumer booklet. She also has effectively administered the Windows to the World and Product/Price Reference Guide projects. In her new capacity, Steyer will be responsible for coordinating all public relations activities for Hunter Douglas, for developing significant corporate collateral projects and for working with Burdick to oversee a productive referral program. Maureen Marrone, previously corporate marketing manager, will become manager, visual merchandising. In this role, Marrone will work to expand and enhance the Hunter Douglas point-of-sale presence at retail. Not only has she been a champion of the current opportunities in space merchandising program, but she also has been a driving force behind the development of the new Window Fashion Gallery store environment concept. In addition, she will continue to spearhead a significant national and franchise account and international expo trade show presence. Denise Bowles, formerly manager, dealer advertising, will assume the title of manager, dealer business building. In addition to her current responsibilities for the implementation and execution of all consumer, trade, literature express and business development fund programs, Bowles will assume responsibility for the dealer business building programs including Building Business with Style, Tag Advertising and TMP programs designed to help dealers survive and thrive into the next millennium. Brakebill Joins Arizona BowTies Doyle Brakebill has joined Arizona BowTies, Phoenix, AZ, a manufacturer of vertical blind tiebacks and accessories. Brakebill brings with him more than four decades of experience in the window coverings industry as CEO of Master Drapery & Mfg. in Phoenix, AZ. He also has served on the board of directors of the Window Coverings Association of America (WCAA). Rasmussen Joins ADO Tom Rasmussen has recently joined the team at ADO, Spartanburg, SC, and is covering the northern part of Illinois along with the mid- to southern parts of Wisconsin. Rasmussen comes well recommended for both his experience and knowledge in the drapery industry. Prior to joining ADO he had been a salesman for another leading company for more than 14 years. Techniku Appoints Putnam Techniku Inc., Denver, CO, has appointed Allan Putnam sales manager for the eastern United States and Canada. He will be responsible for developing sales of high quality motorization for blinds and shades to both wholesale and retail fabricators. He also will work to increase distribution for Daylight® Shading Systems. Putnam joins Techniku with 17 years of sales and marketing experience in the window coverings industry being employed with Joanna, Kirsch and, most recently, as eastern region sales manager for Comfortex Window Fashions. Covington Adds to Sales Group Several sales appointments have been made at Covington Fabrics, New York, NY, division of Covington Industries Inc. The appointments are effective immediately. James Hixon has been appointed West Coast sales manager. Wayne Ober also has joined the West Coast sales team and will work with Hixon from the company's Los Angeles, CA, showroom. Debra Richie and Jonie Lackey have been named to the sales group working with North Carolina and South Carolina furniture accounts. They both are based at the company's High Point, NC, showroom. Eisenhart Names Melter Illinois Sales Agent Craig Melter has been appointed the Illinois sales agent for Eisenhart Wallcoverings Co., Hanover, PA. He brings a strong background in sales and previously sold wall coverings for Porter Paint Co. Melter will represent the Ashford House[TM], Eisenhart® and Color Tree Designs[TM] brands and new, innovative company merchandising programs. Frankel's Names VP of Sales, Promotions Frankel's Home Furnishings, Inc., Port Washington, NY, announces the appointment of Greg Hanselman to the position of vice president of sales and promotions. Hanselman will be responsible for all sales, marketing and promotions for Frankel's three divisions including Frankel's specialty stores, leased flooring division and leased linens/domestics division. Prior to joining Frankel's, Hanselman held senior marketing positions with Channel Home Center, Home Quarters and Makro division of K-mart. Eichelberger Named VP Manufacturing at Johnston Johnston Industries, Columbus, GA, announces that Charles F. Eichelberger Sr. has been named vice president of manufacturing for its Greige Fabrics Division. Eichelberger will have primary responsibility for manufacturing operations at the division's Opp & Micolas Mills, which produce cotton and poly/cotton greige goods. Prior to joining Johnston Industries, Eichelberger was vice president, greige manufacturing at Thomaston Mills, Inc., with responsibility for three mills with more than 1,100 employees. From 1981 to 1983 he was vice president of Riegel Textile Corp.'s Trion Division. Expo Design Centers Hires Nemeth Expo Design Center, Atlanta, GA, the interior decor division of The Home Depot, has hired veteran merchant Lee Nemeth to run its expanding fabric and wall coverings department as the company prepares to expand from seven stores to more than 200 nationwide in the next five years. Nemeth brings 25 years of experience in merchandising, marketing and sales to his new post. He comes to Expo from Stroheim & Romann, Inc. where he was vice president of sales. His duties will include cultivating relationships with vendors and "taking fabrics and wall coverings to the next level of decorating enjoyment," according to a company statement.