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In Memoriam: Hunter Douglas' Feinseth

Miriam B. Feinseth, director of advertising and communication for Hunter Douglas, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ, died June 12, 1998, following a brief illness.

Feinseth spent 16 years at Hunter Douglas where she directed the advertising, public relations and communications efforts for its entire window fashions line, including the development and implementation of highly successful marketing programs for the company's exclusive branded products. Prior to joining Hunter Douglas, Feinseth worked for a division of Beatrice Foods, Rahway, NJ. She received a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ.

A long-standing member of the International Furnishings and Design Association, Feinseth most recently resided in Fort Lee, NJ. She was a congregant of the Fort Lee Jewish Community Center. She is survived by two children and a brother.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the American Cancer Society or the Hackensack Hospice Program, Hackensack, NJ.

Elero Names Spuzzillo to Sales Staff

Elero USA, Inc., Dallas, TX, has appointed Dale Spuzzillo Midwest regional sales manager. Based in Cleveland, OH, Spuzzillo will be in charge of a 10-state region and coordinate all sales activities to manufacturers and fabricators of interior and exterior window treatments.

Spuzzillo brings 28 years of sales and management experience to his new position. Previously he was purchasing manager and accounts manager for seven years with Mill Distributors, Inc. Prior to that he was vice president of sales and marketing for Hallmark Fabrics.

Imperial Home Decor Group Taps Holthus, Fine

Imperial Home Decor Group (IHDG), Cleveland, OH, announces the appointment of Jim Holthus as its vice president of brand management. In this capacity, Holthus is responsible for managing and building the wall coverings brands manufactured and marketed by IHDG.

Holthus oversees all consumer brand management activities including product development, marketing research, public relations, advertising and promotions. For the past three years, Holthus served as president of Strategic Discovery, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in marketing strategy and product development. Previously, he was general manager of Hallmark Cards, Inc., where he established a business unit to commercialize freestanding computerized card kiosks.

Steve Fine has been named brand manager for Imperial Wallcovering. He will be responsible for developing all Imperial branded lines including management of the line plan, budgets and all consumer-related activities associated with the brand.

Before joining IHDG, Fine was retail brand manager for the Glidden Co. where he was responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies, as well as promotional and advertising programs. Previously, he worked for the Sherwin Williams consumer division as a merchandising manager.

Window Fashions, Inc. Adds Basilone

Window Fashions, Inc., Cheswick, PA, has added Debra Basilone to its customer service department. Basilone brings an extensive background in customer service to her new post.

Buttel Joins Brewster Sales

Brewster Wallcovering Co., Randolph, MA, announces Chuck Buttel as the newest member of its Southern sales team. Buttel will service retail customers in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle. He brings to his new position more than 17 years of sales experience in the wallpaper industry.

Staff Appointments at Covington

Covington Industries Inc., New York, NY, has announced several staff appointments effective immediately.

Arthur Friedman has joined Covington Fabrics as vice president of sales. Based in New York, he will be responsible for sales in all the division's business sectors except furniture, outdoor furniture and marine.

Vickie Pettit has joined Covington Fabrics with responsibility for the division's sales activities in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and West Virginia.

Darren Fradin has assumed the position of national sales manager for Fame Fabrics. He will be responsible for the division's sales in all sectors of its business except furniture.

John Shane has been named national sales manager of furniture for Fame Fabrics. He also will function as national accounts manager of outdoor furniture for Covington Fabrics.

Chris Geiger has been appointed director of international sales at Covington Industries Inc. with responsibilities for the export sales activities of its three divisions: Covington Fabrics, Fame Fabrics and Spectrum Fabrics.

Brief Design Director at John Wolf

John Wolf Decorative Fabrics, Greensboro, NC, has hired Ellen Brief to fill the position of design director. Brief is a 20-year veteran of the textile industry who has designed for all rooms of the home including tabletop, bed and bath.

In her new post, Brief will work toward creating coordinated looks for the home and will draw on her past experience at Anju/Woodridge where she was design director.

John Wolf Decorative Fabrics is the home decorative division of Cone Mills Corp.

Sidney Davis Adds Willadsen

Sidney Davis Fabrics, San Francisco, CA, announces the addition of Bud Willadsen as sales consultant for the greater San Francisco Bay area. In addition to designer fabrics, Willadsen will offer the design community the company's new line of manufactured alternate window coverings including blinds, shades and specialty window coverings. Walladsen brings more than 20 years experience in the home furnishings industry to his new post.

Elrod Named VP Design at Lee Jofa

Stephen Elrod has been named vice president of design for Lee Jofa Fabrics, Bethpage, NY. Elrod was promoted from his previous position as creative director. In his new role, he will be responsible for the design and development of all Lee Jofa printed and woven fabrics, decorative trimmings and furniture. He also will direct the marketing, merchandising and promotional efforts of the company.

Prior to joining the company in 1996, Elrod spent four years at F. Schumacher & Co. responsible for the design and production of all Schumacher woven fabrics and trimmings. In 1996 he designed and launched that company's furniture division.

Floorplan Expands Sales Force

Floorplan In-Store Displays, Dallas, TX, has expanded its presence nationally by adding two independent sales agencies, Johnson Enterprises and Access Marketing Group.

Johnson Enterprises, Seal Beach, CA, will represent the company's complete line of interior product display systems focusing on the western United States. Christopher Johnson will have primary responsibility for sales in the region.

Access Marketing Group, Dalton, GA, will represent Floorplan in the southeast. Access provides six full-time sales agents and is headed by floor coverings industry veteran Mike Beavers.


DWCdesigNET | DWC Magazine | Index to Articles | Back Issues | July '98