IHFRA Honors Gillispie for Distinguished Service

March 15, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in on March 16, 2012 The International Home Furnishings Representatives Association is presenting long-time member and former association president Richard Gillispie, with its highest honor, the Harold P. Braun Distinguished Service Award.

The award will be presented at the 18th annual Furniture Industry Awards Gala at the upcoming High Point Market. The gala will be held Monday, April 23, in the IHFC Ballroom on the 11th floor of the Green Wing.

The Harold P. Braun Distinguished Service Award (DSA) was founded in 1975 as IHFRA's highest honor bestowed to a member of the organization. The DSA has been given annually for the past 36 years to a deserving representative. The recipient of the DSA is a sales representative who embodies certain qualities and character and has distinguished him or herself on behalf of IHFRA to sales representatives and the industry. The recipient has also enhanced, by deed and action, the image of home furnishings sales representatives in the community and the industry.

Gillispie joined IHFRA and the Virginia/Carolinas Chapter in 1995. He has been active in his chapter and the local Piedmont Club holding various positions such as Piedmont Club president in 1995 and president of the Virginia/Carolinas Chapter in 1997.  

Becoming more involved with IHFRA on a national level, Gillispie "went through the chairs" and became IHFRA's 69th President in 2007. He completed his educational course requirements to become a CHR in 1996. His passion for education led him to chair IHFRA's education committee in 2006. He also serves on the Board of Directors for IHFRA.

Gillispie was nominated to the High Point Market Authority board in 2005. He continues to serve on the board and is one of the original rep ambassadors for the organization. In addition, Gillispie served on the board of the National Home Furnishings Association from 2005 until 2010 as the liaison for IHFRA.

Gillispie began his career at Hooker Furniture in 1982, working part-time in the shipping department while attending college. He worked in the corporate office seven years before being transferred to North Carolina in 1994 to become a sales representative. He became partners with George Dowdy in 1996, while representing Hooker in Western North Carolina.  

He has more than 25 years service with Hooker and received Hooker's James W. Roberts Award for outstanding service for a professional representative both in 1998 and 2000.

Gillispie and his wife Patricia have three children. He and his family are members of St. Pius Catholic Church in Greensboro, N.C.

Reservations for the gala can be made online.