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Gift for Life Chooses Doug Cofiell for Industry Achievement Award

March 11, 2025  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

“The Gift for Life Board of Directors unanimously chose Doug as this year’s Industry Achievement Award honoree,” said Sarah Mount, chair of the Gift for Life board. “We are thrilled to recognize Doug for his remarkable leadership, his dedication to Ivystone’s growth and the lasting impact he has had on the industry.”

Cofiell joined Ivystone, a sales agency providing wholesale gift, home and fashion accessories to retailers, in 1989 as a sales representative, acquired the business from his father in 1997 and has served as CEO since 2010.

Under his leadership, Ivystone has grown through a series of 17 mergers/acquisitions starting in 2001 with drummers, inc. and including agencies such as Sales Partners, Blue Birch, and HomeStyle. Ivystone provides both regional and national representation, with showrooms in Atlanta, Dallas and Las Vegas.

This continued growth has strengthened Ivystone’s industry presence, fostering collaboration and innovation across its expanding portfolio. Simblist, CMA, and, most recently, OneCoast are also part of the Ivystone family. Cofiell’s vision and innovative strategies have driven Ivystone’s success while preserving its people-focused culture.

Cofiell is also a partner in Schauben & Co. and Aesthetic Movement.

"I am truly honored to be nominated by the Gift for Life board for this prestigious industry award. I humbly accept this recognition and celebrate it with our team members, business partners, customers and industry friends who continue to support us,” said Cofiell. “At Ivystone, we believe that empowering our people to lead, grow and innovate is what builds a truly great company, and I am grateful to be part of such an inspiring team."

In addition to his role at Ivystone, Cofiell is a longstanding member of Vistage International, a prominent business organization for CEOs. He has also served as President & Chairman of the Board for the Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA). 

The 2025 Gift for Life Industry Achievement Award will be presented to Doug Cofiell at the 74th Annual Retailer Excellence Awards (REAs) on June 18, 2025, at the Dallas Union Station Grand Hall. Donations in celebration of Cofiell’s honor will benefit World Central Kitchen’s worldwide crisis-related hunger relief efforts. Donate at www.giftforlife.org/donate.

Past recipients of Gift for Life’s Industry Achievement Award include: Dorothy Belshaw of ANDMORE (2024); Todd and Jannetta Litzman of MarketTime (2023); Warren Shoulberg (2022); Patti Carpenter (2021); Adam Glassman of O, The Oprah Magazine (2020); Anna and Nathan Bond of Rifle Paper (2019); Mitch and Seth Nash of Blue Q (2018); The Beekman Boys (2017); Julie Chavez and Joe Cerbo of Chavez for Charity (2016); Tom Mirabile of Lifetime Brands (2015); Dave Thomas and Kevin Mundt of HomArt (2014); Gregg Corzine and David Klass of Archipelago (2013); Les Mandelbaum and Paul Rowan of UMBRA (2012); Michael Aram of Michael Aram (2011); Randy Eller of Eller Enterprises (2010); and Bobbie Gottlieb of Two's Company (2009).

Since 1951, Gifts & Decorative Accessories has been hosting the Retailer Excellence Awards, celebrating the best of the best in seven niche categories: Specialty Store, Multiple Locations, Visual Merchandising, Store Events, Store Design/Redesign, Social Media Outreach, Online Initiatives, and Socially Responsible. Awards are also presented to Manufacturer of the Year and Regional Sales Representative of the Year. Information, nomination and entry forms, and registration details for the 74th Retailer Excellence Awards are available at www.retailerexcellenceawards.com.