Sims Elected WithIt President for 2017

February 22, 2017  by Larry Thomas in Executive Changes, Industry   

Other new officers are Pamela Thomas, Universal Furniture, First Vice President/President-Elect; Anita Wimmer, Stanley Furniture, treasurer; Lark Shirley-Stevens, Furniture First, secretary; and Violette Forman, Havertys Furniture, board chair.

“I’m so thankful that we’ve been able to bring together such amazing women in our industry to serve on our Board this year.  The passion each woman feels for WithIt and our industry is immeasurable,” said Sims. “We are overwhelmed by our industry partners and their support of WithIt by sharing their talented employees.”

The group’s vice president and committee chairs are: Business Development: Andrea Maricich, Let’s Get Original; Connections: Jessica Norby, MicroD; Education: Lorri Kelley, BDI; Manufacturing: Abby Lane, Redhead Furniture Design; Marketing: Susan Lenhart, Universal Furniture; Membership: Kayla Wallace, FurnitureDealer.net; Networking: Deb Barrett, Window Coverings/Soft Design Lab; Retail: Kaitlin Surdoval, Storis; Scholarship: Karen Fallon, Heritage Home Group; Supplier/Design: Vicki Payne, Cutters Productions.

The group also announced a new scholarship initiative for 2017 to help women in the industry further their education and advance their businesses. WithIt’s scholarship foundation will offer five tuition scholarships up to $1,000 each to professional women in the home and furnishings industry who are pursuing a degree, certificate or professional certification during the year.

Applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis as they are received.

Visit WithIt.org, for more information regarding scholarships and registration for WithIt events. Additional information also is available from managing director Amy Van Dorp at director@withit.org.