See the Latest News  See the News Archive

News Makers

Berk Appointed Robb & Stucky President Fred Berk has been named president and chief operating officer of Robb & Stucky, Fort Myers, FL, effective January 1, 1998. Berk will serve on the company's board of directors and will be responsible for day-to-day operations of the company's Florida business, which includes six showrooms and design studios, two outlet stores, customer service and warehouse/distribution facilities. A 30-year veteran of the fine furniture industry, Berk was named the National Home Furnishings Association's (NHFA) 1997 Retailer of the Year. He also serves on the NHFA board of directors. Berk leaves Breuners Home Furnishings Corp. where he was president. Clive Lubner, Robb & Stucky chief executive officer, will continue to oversee marketing and merchandising strategies and will focus on expanding the company and supervising the inception of new stores in a diverse market base. Craig Nesvik, chief financial officer, also has been elected to the company's board of directors. Ruiz Wins ADO Sales Volume Award Klaus Wulf, owner of ADO, Spartanburg, SC, has presented Richard Ruiz with the company's 1997 Sales Volume award. Ruiz represents the company in the Chicago, IL, area and has been with ADO for more than 10 years. Throughout his career at ADO Ruiz has earned this award several times. BTX Adds Alexander to Customer Service BTX Window Automation, Dallas, TX, announces the addition of Tim Alexander to its customer service/inside sales staff. Alexander will assist the company's customer service team in providing customers with product information, specification assistance, price quoting and ordering. He comes to BTX from Advance Paradigm where he served as lead representative overseeing its customer service department Two Appointments at On-Site On-Site Drapery Cleaning & More, Hayden Lake, ID, announces two appointments. Carol Carey has joined the company as national accounts manager. Cathy Reynolds has been named marketing director. Dagg Named Source VP Source Window Coverings, Inc., Woodinville, WA, has named Rick Dagg to the newly created position of vice president for market development and sales. In his new post Dagg will be responsible for expanding the company's retail dealers throughout the Pacific Northwest. Previously, he was with Hunter Douglas Window Fashions and most recently with Comfortex Corp. Benthin Appoints Three to Management Team Benthin Systems, Sewickley, PA, has added three new members to its management staff. John Poremba has been appointed purchasing manager. He will be responsible for all purchasing and inventory control. Previously, he was employed as a buyer for Service Star and Wetterau Inc. Tom Latherow has been named production manager for Benthin Mfg. He will be responsible for all the operations of injection molding, PVC extrusion, metal stamping, roll forming and automatic assembly. Latherow's background includes production management experience for a steel extrusion facility. Aphrodite Vougias has been promoted to advertising manager. She will be responsible for the advertising of all products, packaging, brochure and technical information. Vougias has been with the company for four years prior to her promotion. Huthmaker Joins Valspar Susan Huthmaker has joined the wood finishes division of Valspar Corp., Minneapolis, MN, as window treatments business manager. She will focus on new finishing solutions for wood window treatments such as blinds and shutters, and be responsible for sales throughout North America. Huthmaker has seveal years experience in the manufacturing industry and will be based out of the company's High Point, NC, facility. Astrup Appoints Three Accounts Reps The Astrup Co., Cleveland, OH, announces the appointments of Bob Herbick, Ed Glaser and Mark Shalala to the Lithia Springs, GA, branch office. All three will serve as account representatives. Herbick will call on companies located in the Atlanta area. Prior to joining the company he worked as an area manager for a book company. Glaser will call on companies in South Carolina and parts of Florida and Georgia. Before joining Astrup he worked in sales for a beverage distribution company. Shalala will call on companies in North Carolina and parts of Virginia, Tennessee and South Carolina. Before joining the company he worked as a field marketing manager for a marketing and advertising firm in New York City, NY. Blank Joins Silent Gliss Silent Gliss USA, Inc., Loganville, GA, announces the appointment of Darren R. Blank as national marketing and account manager. He brings more than 10 years experience in sales and marketing management in the window coverings and automation industry to his new post. Blank will be responsible for expanding the company's national marketing campaign for new motors, controls and product information. In addition, he will complete the company's nationwide account management team with responsibility the Southwestern regional sales. Prior to joining Silent Gliss, Blank served as national sales and marketing manager for BTX Window Automation, Inc. Before that he was regional marketing manager for Arquati Window Coverings.