January 11,
2012 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on January 12, 2012
Home furnishings women's leadership network WithIt has named its 2012 Board of Directors.
Julia Rosien, chief idea officer, SocialNorth.com, takes the helm as president. Rosien is the first home furnishings executive based outside the United States to serve as WithIt president; meanwhile, seven female executives are new to the non-profit's board.
"This year, our 15th anniversary, we're focused on connecting the communities of our members, both online and offline, industry-wide, locally and nationally," Rosien said. "By increasing our online visibility, WithIt will grow as an organization and we will support all our members."
To this end, Rosien has created a new position for the board, vice president of social media, and she is creating a series of leadership-focused videos to promote the benefits of WithIt membership. Additional highlights for the year include a leadership training workshop and a high-profile fundraising gala.
Both new and veteran board members join Rosien. The WithIt Board of Directors is made up of an executive committee, vice presidents who lead major committees, vice presidents who represent industry niches, and vice presidents who represent geographic regions. Serving in 2012:
* Chairman, Board of Governors, Stephanie Lowder, president and creative director, Rare Bird Creative.
* Chairman, Mary Leigh Howell, president, Howell Communications.
* President, Julia Rosien, chief idea officer, SocialNorth.com.
* Secretary, Cindy Williams, vice president client services, Info Retail.
* Treasurer, Peg Whitehurst, vice president finance, Norwalk Furniture.
Vice Presidents/Committee Chairs perform the duties of an assigned WithIt committee. The 2012 officers are:
* Marketing, Amanda Williams, public relations account supervisor, Wray Ward.
* Media, Julie Smith Vincenti, chief content officer/manager, Nine Muses Media LLC.
* Mentoring, Lorri Kelley, vice president of sales, Palliser.
* Education, Pat Bowling, vice president of communications, American Home Furnishings Alliance.
* Networking, Margi Kyle, owner/interior designer, The Designing Doctor.
* Membership, Kim Grubb, account executive, Wright of Thomasville.
* Social Media, Dana Helms, client service account manager, MicroD Inc.
* Scholarship, Violette Forman, general manager, Havertys Furniture.
Vice President at Large officers serve as representatives of an industry niche. The 2012 vice presidents at large are:
* Casegoods/Upholstery, Carol Gregg, owner and chief designer, red egg.
* Student Outreach, Amy Schmidt, vice president of merchandising communications, FurnitureDealer.net.
* Supplier/Design, Libby Langdon, president, Libby Interiors Inc.
* Retail, Shelley Parlin, chief operating officer, PROFITsystems.
Regional Vice Presidents build membership and develop events within their specific region. The 2012 regional vice presidents are:
* Florida, Alexia Rouquette, director of marketing and public relations, Twin Star International/Classical Flame.
* Virginias/Carolinas, Trisha Kemerly, president, WhipSmart Creative.
* Chicago/Midwest, Annie Balonick, vice president of market development, LPK International.
* International, Donna Bartlett, president, ViewIt Technologies Inc.
* Dallas/Southwest, Cameron Cook, public relations manager, Four Hands.
* New York Metro/Northeast, Jana Platina Phipps, owner, Home Couture Collective/Classical Elements.
* Las Vegas/West, Kassie Smith, interior designer and project development consultant, Kassie Smith Lifestyle Group.
January 11,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on January 12, 2012
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5742087561&z=1250249027
Two grandchildren of Rufus C. Willey, whose name is linked to the RC Willey Home Furnishings store chain, say they didnt get their share of the fortune created when the company was sold to billionaire Warren Buffett in 1995.
Don McBroom and Helen Immelt say they only discovered their ownership interest in the company two years ago after receiving a letter from the personal attorney of Bill Child, who was Willeys son-in-law and the man who built up the furniture store chain into a company coveted by one of the worlds richest men. They say that correspondence included an
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January 11,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in economic news on January 12, 2012
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5740065938&z=1250249032
President Barack Obama told members of a White House forum that included Lincolnton Furniture's Bruce Cochrane that he wants to reward businesses that invest stateside.
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January 10,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Furniture Retailing on January 11, 2012
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5732496162&z=1250249032
The Metropolitan Furnishings Association has selected TD Retail Card Services' Renovate Card private label credit program for use by the organization's 75 retail members.
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January 10,
2012 by in UnCategorized
By Aggregated Content in Bedding on January 11, 2012
from http://c.moreover.com/click/here.pl?z5731590083&z=1250249032
Protect-A-Bed is opening an office in Guelph, Ontario, to serve as its customer base in Canada.
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