ITMA welcomes seven new board members

For the first time, the 11-member board will include two furniture industry representatives

-- Casual Living, 9/5/2006 12:17:00 PM

The International Textile Market Association appointed new members to the board of directors, effective Sept. 1. For the first time, the 11-member board will include two furniture industry representatives.

“The entire board is well balanced with longtime industry veterans as well as young talent who bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm to the challenges and possibilities in our industry,” ITMA director Catherine Morsell said. “We’re also excited about tapping the insights of two furniture industry liaisons, because furniture manufacturers represent over 50 percent of the customers who attend Showtime.”

The new ITMA board members are: Jason Earles, director of furniture sales-manufacturing for The Robert Allen Group, High Point, N.C.; Robert Patton, national sales manager for P. Kaufmann, High Point, N.C.; Thomas Notaro, vice president of sales and marketing for Wearbest Sil-tex Mills, Garfield, N.J.; Rocco Simone, senior vice president sales and marketing for Sunbury Textile Mills, New York;  Natalie Scott, national sales manager, Cone Jacquards/ITG, Cliffside, N.C.; Ann Hood, vice president of upholstery fashion, Century Furniture, High Point, N.C., and Penny Eudy, product manager of upholstery, La-Z-Boy Residential, Monroe, Mich.

All members of the volunteer board serve a three-year term. Returning board members are Terry Cox of Richloom Fabrics Group; Hal Hunnicutt of Glen Raven, and Steve Shelby of Conso Products Co.

John Kearns, president of Hamilton Fabric Sales in High Point, will assume the board presidency for a two-year term.

The ITMA is a nonprofit organization whose members represent the mills, converters, tanneries and trimming manufacturing companies that supply decorative coverings for the home furnishings trade. The group organizes Showtime, the semi-annual textile show in High Point, and supports educational programs to help students of textile design and marketing.  For more information, go to www.itma-showtime.com.