Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Pamela Thomas Elected 2018 WithIt President
March 2,
2018 by Larry Thomas in Designer Weekly, Executive Changes, Industry
Pamela Thomas, supply chain director at Universal Furniture, has been elected 2018 president of WithIt, the women’s professional development network for the home furnishings industry.
Other new officers are Lark Shirley-Stevens of Furniture First, first vice president and president-elect; Lorri Kelley of BDI, second vice president; Jamie White of Fairfield Chair, treasurer; and Renee Loper-Boyd of International Market Centers, secretary. The board chairman is Violette Foreman of Havertys.
“It has been my privilege to be a member of WithIt for several years and in 2018 I am honored to serve the organization in the role of President,” said Thomas. “One of my professional passions has been the development of strong leaders in the companies where I have worked. This is a perfect fit to WithIt’s mission to provide education and develop strong women leaders in the home and furnishings industry.”
“This year, we will build upon the momentum from 2017 to grow our membership and provide greater access to meaningful materials, information and intentional networking to assure that women in the industry are supported in their professional development,” she continued.
Vice presidents and committee chairs for 2018 are:
Business Development: Carolyn Crowley, Myriad Software
Connections: Jessica Norby, A.R.T. Furniture
Education: Reyna Moore, Heritage Home Group
Manufacturing: Abby Lane, Redhead Furniture Design
Marketing: Kaitlin Surdoval, STORIS, Inc.
Membership: Kayla Wallace, FurnitureDealer.net
Networking: Deb Barrett, Window Coverings/Soft Design Lab
Retail: Sarah Paxton, LaDifference
Scholarship: Megan Barrett, Vanguard FurnitureSupplier/Design: Maria Killam, Maria Killam Colour and Design
WithIt’s annual Professional Conference, with the theme “Leading with Influence,” will be June 25-27 in Charleston, S.C., and will highlight leadership education and professional development. A complete calendar of events is available at withit.org.