IHFRA Names Rising Star, Legacy Award Winners

January 19, 2017  by Larry Thomas in Industry, Special Events   

IHFRA said Glenn Beckert, Harrison Rose and Samantha Simonton will receive the Rising Star Award, which honors reps who have been on the road five years or less.

Buddy Shafer, Bill Munn and George Huggins will receive the Legacy Award, which honors reps who have been on the road for at least 30 years and are still active in the furniture industry.

They will receive their awards at the 22^nd annual Furniture Industry Awards Gala on April 24 at the Khoury Convention Center in Greensboro, N.C.

Beckert is the recipient for the East Coast Rising Star Award.  Beckert is a co-owner and principal partner of Beckert Sales & Marketing, and his goal is to bridge the gap between suppliers and internet retailers through eCommerce marketing.  He is a member of International Casual Furniture Assn. and resides in Jacksonville, Fla.

The Middle-America Rising Star Award recipient is Rose.  An active member of the Midwest Chapter of IHFRA and an IHFRA Ambassador, Rose began working with his father and uncle in 2012 as a manufacturer’s representative with Marty Rose & Associates.  Rose lives in Chicago and represents numerous lines.

Simonton is the recipient for the West Coast Rising Star Award.  She is a case goods marketing specialist for Ashley Furniture in Western Canada.  She is a member of the International Chapter of IHFRA as well as an IHFRA Ambassador.  Simonton resides in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Shaffer has been selected the 2017 Legacy Award Winner for the East Coast.  Shaffer’s successful career spans many decades covering Florida and the Caribbean territories.  Major lines in his bag include StyleCraft Home Collection, Pacific Coast Lighting, and Harp & Finial.  Shaffer recognizes how much the retail landscape has changed and utilizes email newsletters and social media to engage and interact with his customers.  Residing in Miami Fla., Shaffer is an active member of IHFRA’s Florida Chapter.

The Middle-America Legacy Award recipient is Bill Munn.  He has been in the furniture industry for over 48 years, starting his career with Ashley Furniture in 1971.  Munn was president of IHFRA’s Louisiana Chapter and the 1984 Salesman of the Year for Ashley.  He resides in Mandeville, La.

Huggins is the recipient of the West Coast Legacy Award. He began his career in the furniture industry in 1967. In 1982 he began his manufacturer’s representative career with Cal Pacific Upholstery, Morris Furniture, Phillip Bell, and Stainsafe. Presently he represents Guardian West and Coaster Fine Furniture.  He resides in San Clemente, Calif., and is an active member of the HFRG of Southern California Chapter of IHFRA.

For more information on the Awards Gala, contact the IHFRA Office at 336-889-3920 or email ihfra@ihfra.org.  Information and registration will be posted on www.ihfra.org.