WithIt names new 2009 president and board
Group to host educational and networking event at Las Vegas Market
-- Home Accents Today, 1/27/2009 8:08:00 AM
Women in the Home Industries named its new president and board for 2009. Elizabeth O’Brien (photo), a Florida-based multi-line sales representative for Star International, Ekornes, Creative Accents and Carter, suc
ceeds outgoing president Tiffany Mullis-Brittain, formerly of Vanguard Furniture. HFIA president and past WithIt board member Mary Frye will assume the position of chairman of the board.
In late 2008, O’Brien and her new board outlined plans to increase WithIt’s level of service and leadership to its members, sponsors and the industry. “With a powerful membership pool of talented and committed professionals, WithIt will utilize our positions, influence, and thought leadership experience to support the home industries in a challenging economic climate,” O’Brien said.
Other members of the WithIt executive committee for 2009 are: Board of Governors Chairman Kelly Peterson, group advertising director for Hearst Integrated Group; Vice President/President Elect Jana Platina Phipps, owner of Home Couture Collective; Vice President Ann Hackney, creative director for Valdese Weavers; Secretary Debbie Beers, vice president of consumer insights for Furniture Brands International, Inc.; and Treasurer Kira Staggers, manager of audit services at Grant Thornton, LLP.
Vice presidents/committee chairs are: financial development, Veronica Londono, American Leather; marketing, Mary Eitel, MKE Communications, Inc.; media, Leslie Newby, Brand Communications, Inc.; mentoring, Kim Reynolds, Oriental Weavers USA, Inc.; education, Cathy Smith, DeLeo Textiles; networking, Christy DiFoggio, Genre Brand Communications; membership, Leslie Carothers, The Kaleidoscope Partnership; scholarship/foundation, Rene Crosby, Four Hands.
Regional vice presidents serve two-year terms and are responsible for organizing events and opportunities for members in their areas. Representing their membership to the board are: in the Western region, Donna Favia, Aspenhome; Dallas/Southwest, Jill Robinson, Dallas Market Center; in Florida, Heidi Higgins, Carl’s Furniture; in Metro/Northeast, Vicky Lederman, consultant; in Chicago/Midwest, Erin Piotrowski; in Atlanta/Southeast, Heather Brown, Bluefish Home; in the Virginias/Carolinas, Kathleen Holterman, French Heritage; and for a newly formed International post, Catherine Smoak, Jigsaw Solutions.
Named as at-large board members representing various segments of the industry are: case goods/upholstery manufacturer, Beverly Kastel, Ekornes; showroom/building, Karen Olsen, MMPI; supplier, Libby Langdon, Libby Interiors, Inc.; and retail, Deb Linkhorn.
WithIt’s Western regional chapter and World Market Center will host an educational and professional networking event during the upcoming Las Vegas Market, Monday, Feb. 9, 3:30-4:30 p.m. in the World Forum Conference Room, Building B, 16th floor. A panel of industry leaders will discuss trends in the predicted growth categories of home entertainment and home office furnishings.
Moderated by Jena Hall, vice president of merchandising and occasional for Aspenhome, panelists for the trend presentation include Steve Kidera, communications coordinator for the Consumer Electronics Association; Ken Levi, award-winning home office/home entertainment designer, Aspenhome Furniture; and Brett Hiatt, electronics buyer for Berkshire Hathaway-owned RC Willey, a full-line retailer of home furniture, electronics, appliances, mattresses and flooring, with stores in Utah, Idaho, Nevada and California. The event is free to all market attendees and seating is available on a first-come basis. Light refreshments will be served.
Established in 1997, WithIt is now made up of over 400 members and provides multiple educational and mentoring programs. Each year, WithIt’s WOW awards recognize exceptional women and men in the home industries.
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