March 12,
2013 by in UnCategorized 
By Aggregated Content in on March 13, 2013
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In the four years Robert Gillham spent behind bars unable to make a half-million dollar bail, he was on the verge of trial twice, was declared mentally incompetent and had a golf ball-size brain tumor removed.
Lawyers Wednesday said the 70-year-old...
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March 12,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on March 13, 2013
The International Home Furnishings Representatives Association will name Bob Sherman a "Pillar of the Industry" at a gala during April High Point Furniture Market.
Sherman is the CEO and president of Serta Mattress Co.
The Pillar of the Industry Award is presented to an industry leader who has distinguished himself with creative work and effort to improve, enhance, and benefit relationships among representatives and other segments of the industry. This persons actions and deeds have shown their commitment to the home furnishings industry, their community, and to mankind.
Shermans career in the bedding business spans 44 years. He first worked delivering mattresses for Slumberland in his home state of Minnesota at the age of 16. Bob was promoted to the Slumberland retail sales floor, and ultimately caught the eye of Sealy. He was hired away in 1971 and began his sales career as a territorial representative in Minnesota and the surrounding states. He worked his way up in sales and sales management at Sealy, achieving the position of regional vice president in 1987.
In 1989, Bob was offered the position of president and partner at Serta licensee National Bedding Co. Over the last 23 years, the small one-factory business has grown under Bobs direction to Serta International, with sales today in excess of $1 billion. In 2011, he led his Serta team to the number one spot in the bedding industry.
Sherman's awards to date include the 2010 American Heritage Award from the National Home Furnishings Industry on behalf of the Anti-Defamation League; and in April 2012, the Spirit of Life Award from City of Hope.
In addition to his industry accomplishments, Sherman also serves on the Board of Directors for PAWS, Chicagos largest no-kill animal shelter. In 2010, he was honored by A Silver Lining Foundation, an Illinois-based organization ensuring access to cancer resource information, treatment options, and cost-free mammograms.
When he is not working, Sherman enjoys golf and hockey. He lives in Barrington, Ill., with his wife, Barbara. They have three grown children and seven grandchildren.
The Furniture Industry Awards Gala will be held on Monday, April 22, in the International Home Furnishings Center Ballroom on the 11th Floor of the Green Wing. The International Home Furnishings Representatives Association and the National Home Furnishings Association sponsor this annual event.
For reservations and information regarding the Furniture Industry Awards Gala, contact the IHFRA office at 336.889.3920; or make reservations online.
March 12,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on March 13, 2013
Electric fireplace and furniture vendor Twin-Star International has named Peter Harper chief financial officer.
Harper reports to Delray Beach, Fla.-based Twin-Star President and Chief Executive Officer Robert Cohen.
We feel very fortunate to have someone as knowledgeable and talented as Pete join us at Twin-Star, said Cohen. His expertise in all facets of finance and strategy with special emphasis in creating value, accelerating growth and integrating strategic planning with operational execution will be very beneficial to us as we continue to grow as an industry leader.
Harper comes to Twin-Star with extensive public, private equity-backed and global company experience in the insurance, electronic manufacturing, consumer products, software and energy industries. Previously, he was chief financial officer at Ironshore Insurance Company and the chief financial officer and treasurer of both Scottsdale Insurance Company and Suntron Corporation.
Earlier experiences include rapid progression through various finance roles at General Electric and Iomega Corporation.
March 12,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Business Strategy on March 13, 2013
Specialized carrier Cory Home Delivery has established a forward-thinking program for female employees.
The Women@Cory initiative emphasizes access to professional development and growth opportunities and ensures that advancement for women is integral to talent development efforts.
"It is vital to provide a means to recognize and support women today, particularly in a male-dominated industry and in an expansive company with outlying locations nationwide," said Patrick Cory, CEO. "We are happy to announce the promotion of several women within the company, including Johanna Soto, recently named vice president of human resources, and Malathi Palaniappa has been promoted to director of MIS."
Women@Cory recognizes managers who develop and promote female team members and engages externally by supporting young women in local communities. Group leaders recently collaborated with Leading Ladies, a non-profit N.J. mentoring program that connects volunteers and young, at-risk women. In a roundtable discussion, Soto and members of her team shared their experiences and offered career guidance to women in attendance.
March 12,
2013 by in UnCategorized
By Home Furnishings Business in Special Events on March 13, 2013
Thousands of retail buying group BrandSource members and vendors came away from last month's convention in Orlando primed for a rebounding economy.
Retired Whirlpool executive and keynote speaker Joe Higgins confirmed what the audience already knew: The appliance, electronics and home furnishings industries were hit hard by the recession. But with strengthening home prices, increasing home sales and more remodeling and construction projects looming on the horizon, BrandSource members have tremendous opportunities for growth over the next decade, he said.
BrandSource CEO Bob Lawrence emphasized the importance of mobile applications and social media and discussed new developments with the BrandSource mobile app, the first in the industry when it launched last summer. Available in two versions for both dealers and consumers, it currently reigns as the number-one appliance app in the App store. The BrandSource dealer app lets members instantly research more than 7,000 appliances and electronics from the palm of their hands. The consumer app features a dealer locator and lets shoppers to save favorites and share information via social media channels.
BrandSource also launched a new division, OutdoorSource, and debuted a vast assortment of outdoor furniture and equipment including patio furniture, lawn equipment, heaters, power tools, saunas, fire places and grilling products from a variety of suppliers including B.E. Outdoor Living, EdenPURE, Fuego, Galaxy Outdoor, Husqvarna, Napoleon Gourmet Grills, Lynx, Pacific Living, Sunheat, Sunlighten and Twin-Star International.
To support members selling appliances in the Eastern United States, Lawrence offered updates regarding the expansion of Expert Warehouse, the BrandSource organizations regional fulfillment centers. He confirmed that plans are in place to open a fourth warehouse this year in Jonestown, PA to offer faster, more efficient service in that region.
BrandSource brand ambassador and designer Kathy Ireland, CEO and chief designer for kathy ireland Worldwide, met with BrandSource staff to talk about ways in which they can help members be more successful with female shoppers, who make up or influence roughly 85 percent of retail purchasing decisions for the home.
Dennis Shields, executive director of The Rental Industry Buying Group, strategic alliance partner with BrandSource, reported a very successful summit with nearly 500 RTO specialists in attendance.
We had a very successful show and our attendance numbers outpaced last year, said Shields. The mood was upbeat and positive with members anticipating a strong Spring RTO season.
BrandSource also unveiled its new Majestic Home Collection, a private label assortment of quality home furnishings available exclusively to BrandSource members. With guaranteed three-week delivery, the line is outsourced by England Furniture.
Summit attendees also took full advantage of the Stampede session, which allows BrandSource members to take advantage of a limited supply of deals during a 90-minute time period.
We are on a growth curve and the future is bright, said Bob Lawrence, CEO of BrandSource. Its a great time to be an independent.