SCFMA names new officers

People on the Move

-- Casual Living, 9/26/2005 9:18:00 AM

The Summer & Casual Furniture Manufacturers Association elected new officers and directors.
New SCFMA board of directors members serving three-year terms are Dean Engelage, Woodard; Doug Peppler, Agio International and Bill Echols, Outdoor Experience. Mark Bottemiller, Homecrest, was named to a two-year term. Directors serving one-year terms are Paul Murch, Olympia Lighting, and Lou Rosebrock, Whitecraft Inc.

SCFMA officers serving their second year in 2006 are Merv Conn, Minson Corp., president; Rory Rehmert, Meadowcraft, first vice president, and Ken Burrows, Terra Furniture, second vice president. Dudley K. Flanders, Lloyd/Flanders, will complete his term as chairman of the board at the end of 2006.

Treasure Garden named Mike Friedrichsen as national sales manager. He brings more than 20 years of specialty retail sales and operations management experience, spending the past eight years as a manager with Patio Enclosures in Brook Park, Ohio.

Industry veteran Bill Echols has formed Outdoor Experience, a multi-line sales agency to service small casual manufacturers. Based in Wellington, Fla., Echols will provide sales management, hiring and sales training. He represents Shady Lady and Erwin & Sons. Echols was formerly with Brown Jordan International.

Tom Ernst, a manufacturer’s representative since 1973, will rep Alu-Mont in the Midwest, including Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan and Western Pennsylvania. Assisted by his wife Ann, Ernst also represents Lakeland Mills, Coco Islands and Pawley’s Island Hammock.

Brown Jordan International, Inc. awarded three sales reps with its highest honors for outstanding sales performance and professionalism during the International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market in Chicago. 

Scott Ellis was awarded Brown Jordan’s 25th annual Earl V. Hughes Award for a third time. Ellis has been with Brown Jordan for 15 years and currently serves the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut territories. The award originated in 1985 in honor of Earl V. Hughes, who became a Brown Jordan sales rep at age 65 and served until his death 23 years later at age 88. Bob Snyder won the first Winston Tom Jernigan Award, named for one of the founders of Winston Furniture Company in 1975. Snyder began as a Winston rep 12 years ago and currently serves the Southern California territory. Don Thomas won the first Alliance Sales Rep of the Year Award, also planned as an annual award to recognize outstanding sales performance in BJI’s direct import program. Thomas has been a BJI rep for 11 years and serves the South Florida territory. He is a 30-year veteran of the outdoor furniture industry. 
BJI’s national accounts and direct imports division is relocating its offices this month to Louisville, Ky. The move will result in cost savings and improved customer service, said Chris Carmicle, BJI national accounts president.

Tammy R. Covington was promoted to vice president of operations of High Point’s International Home Furnishings Market Authority, its board of directors announced. Donna Gross also was hired as administrative assistant, replacing Sara Leonard who is retiring.

Covington, who has served as IHFMA director of operations since 2002, will broaden her current responsibilities, which include strengthening market transportation, travel services and visitor amenities and coordinating ongoing improvement. Covington will manage IHFMA operations related to construction of a transportation terminal. She also will have increased involvement in budgeting, contracting and negotiating while she will continue to work with local and state officials to secure funding for key market operations.

Dallas-based Hanley Wood Exhibitions announced Rick McConnell was promoted to vice president of the International Pool & Spa Expo, Backyard Living Expo, International Roofing Expo, JLC Live Residential Construction Shows, Remodeling Show and Luxury Kitchen and Bath Collection. Rick, who joined Hanley Wood in April 2001, previously was senior show director.

Donna Bellantone was promoted to associate show director for International Pool & Spa Expo, Backyard Living Expo and International Roofing Expo. She joined the company in April 2001 and was previously senior show manager.        Christina Voss has joined the company as marketing coordinator of the International Pool & Spa Expo, Backyard Living Expo, International Roofing Expo, JLC Live Residential Construction Shows, Remodeling Show, and Luxury Kitchen and Bath Collection.  She was previously an event marketing coordinator with Nordstrom.