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NEWELL APPOINTS KEY EXECUTIVES Newell Rubbermaid Inc., Freeport, IL, has announced an infusion of high-level talent into its marketing, operations and sales teams. The appointments reflect the company's newly formed strategic plan, which focuses on achieving internal growth through outstanding marketing and sales implementation and focuses on raising the bar on operations performance, according to a company statement. The executive appointments include: Todd M. Pope, named vice president, sales for the Levolor division. Pope brings nearly 13 years of sales and general management experience to Newell Rubbermaid. He launched his career at Johnson & Johnson where he quickly rose to the position of divisional sales manager. Most recently, Pope served as director of sales for Boston Scientific. Jeffrey D. Holler, named vice president, marketing for the Levolor division. Most recently, he served as vice president, marketing at the Stanley Tools division. Prior to Stanley, Holler held a series of marketing positions in Black & Decker leading up to vice president, marketing for the Accessory division of Black & Decker/DeWalt. Newell Rubbermaid Inc. is a global marketer of consumer products with 2000 sales of nearly $7 billion and a family of brands that include Sharpie, Paper Mate, Parker, Waterman, Rubbermaid, Calphalon, Little Tikes, Graco/Century and Levolor. SEABROOK HIRES NEW ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Vera Klose, Bellevue, NE, has joined Seabrook as an account executive serving the territory of Nebraska and Iowa. Klose earned a BS degree in architectural studies from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE; and comes to Seabrook with experience in wall covering sales. Seabrook also has welcomed Ken Adamski, Petaluma, CA, as an account executive for the territory of northern California. Adamski comes to Seabrook with a background in sales, as well as a bachelors of Business Administration from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI. Keith Moore, Richmond, VA, has joined the Seabrook team as an account executive serving the area of southern Virginia. Moore received a Bachelors of Fine Arts from Longwood College, Farmville, VA; and comes to Seabrook with 19 years of previous experience in paint and wall covering sales.

Gold LeadS Sales for TextileWeb Marketplace Harriet Gold has been named national accounts manager for VerticalNet's TextileWeb’ marketplace (www.textileweb.com), one of the textile industry's premier sources of e-commerce and online information. In this new role, Gold will manage a team dedicated specifically to professionals in the textile industry, making sure they are kept abreast of TextileWeb's latest product offerings, industry information and resources. Previously, Gold was VerticalNet's industry expert, catering to the pulp and paper industry. Before joining the company, she spent more than 12 years in the pulp and paper industry as the marketing/communications director for two leading international suppliers of custom-engineered process equipment. VerticalNet, Inc., Greensboro, NC, is an Internet business-to-business e-commerce enabler providing end-to-end e-commerce solutions targeted at distinct business segments. IN MEMORIAM: JERRY RAKITIN Bamboo Abbott Florida Corp., Hollywood, FL, is sorry to announce the death of its past president, Jerry Rakitin, who suffered a sudden heart attack while playing tennis on March 8, 2001. He started in the window coverings industry in the 1940s with his father in Brooklyn, NY. In 1969 he bought a company called Abbott Miller and merged it with Bamboo Products to become Bamboo Abbott Inc. He was president until selling the company in 1986. Bamboo Abbott Florida was started in 1974. Rakitin was president until 2000. Currently his sons own and operate Bamboo Abbott Florida Corp. Rakitin will be greatly missed by all who knew him.