Home Furnishings Business Names Forty Under 40 Class of 2019

June 20, 2019  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

HFB hit the road in search of the best and brightest and found a select group of individuals who are making decisions that will affect the course of the industry well into the future. The prestigious list, selected by the Home Furnishings Business judges from nominations made by readers, is a diverse group that is turning purpose into performance. These talented professionals hail from all corners of the industry and are an inspiration to their colleagues and peers. They have set new benchmarks, exceeded goals and performed in ways that moved their brands and their customers forward.

“Once again our expectations were exceeded by the number of nominations we received. The selection process was challenging due to the outstanding quality of all of those nominated,” said Bob George, publisher and editor-in-chief of Home Furnishings Business. “This Forty Under 40 list represents the brightest young people in our industry who have stood out, taken risks, harnessed their knowledge and pushed their teams to new heights. We congratulate them on their accomplishments and are honored to spotlight their achievements.”

Profiles and photos of each honoree will be available in the July print and digital editions and on the magazine’s website, www.hfbusiness.com. The Class of 2019 will also be celebrated at a reception held during the High Point Market in October.

In the meantime, here are the names of the 2019 Class of Forty Under 40:

Dhyey Acharya

Company: Purple Innovations

Position: Principal, Industrial Design Engineer  

Melissa Alonso
Company: El Dorado FurniturePosition: Public Relations Specialist    

Jana Angel

Company: Uniters North America

Position: Brand Ambassador    

Eric Beiter

Company: Beiter’s 

Position: General Manager

Brad Bonham

Company: Walker Edison

Position: CEO   

Cain Brodie

Company: International Market Center

Position: Director of Marketing, Home Furnishings

Madison Bruns

Company: Cozzia USA

Position: Director of Social Media  

Jay Bush

Company: HSM

Position: Corporate Director of Project Management      

Will Carpenter

Company: Ecommerce Sales Partners

Position: Senior Associate 

Gabriel Cohen

Company: Classy Art

Position: CEO  

Jonathan Cohen

Company: Classy Art

Position: CFO/COO    

Rhett Crockett

Company: Sales Manager

Position: Yuma Furniture Company  

Andrew Crone

Company: Chaddock

Position: CEO 

Ashley DeMara

Company: Greenington Fine Bamboo

Position: Customer Service Representative

Jackie DeRegis

Company: Dunk and Bright Furniture

Position:  Ecommerce Sales Manager

Jordan Haws

Company: Malouf

Position: Global Logistics Manager

Bobby Huber

Company: Oskar Huber Furniture & Design

Position: Sales Manager  

Mark Kinsley

Company: Englander

Position: President   

Jessica Lee

Company: FurnitureDealer.Net

Position: Content Strategist 

Brian Lundstrom

Company: Spring Air International

Position: Director of National Accounts

Samantha Meridieth

Company: R & A Marketing

Position: VP, Branding & Business Development

Christina Naumann

Company: At Home Group

Position: Senior Director of Merchandising Operations 

Christina O'Brien

Company: Home Meridian International

Position: National Accounts Marketing Coordinator   

Jonathan Payton

Company: Walker Furniture

Position: General Store Manager     

Shaun Pennington

Company: Diamond Mattress

Position: President  

Gui Peres

Company: Ergomotion

Position: Director of Global Sales       

Michael Petersen

Company: The Furniture Training Company

Position: Marketing Director

Benjamin Pou

Company: W.S. Badcock Corporation (Badcock & More Home Furnishings)

Position: Director of Supply Chain

Doddy Rafieha

Company: Abbyson

Position: Executive Vice President

Robert Rosenberg

Company: Planned Furniture Promotions

Position: President      

Denise Salcido

Company: AICO

Position: Sales Support Manager   

Eric Sears

Company: PERQ

Position: Account Executive, Home Furnishings     

Carol Sham

Company: Coaster Company of America

Position: Director of Marketing

Ashley Shaw

Company: Manager, Client Services

Position: ecUtopia

Alexandria Thompson

Company: Micro D

Position: Digital Account Manager   

Miquel Valle

Company: El Dorado Furniture

Position: General Sales Leader    

Travis Wagner

Company: Ashley Furniture Industries

Positions: Senior Vice President of Global Manufacturing

Shannon Williams

Company: Home Furnishings Association

Position: Director of Membership & Programs   

Jessica Wynn

Company: High Point Market Authority

Position: Director of Operations  

Michael Yarbrough

Company: Lexington Home Brands

Position: Director of Digital Marketing               

In addition to the latest winners, HFB is taking a look back at four individuals who previously made the Forty Under 40 list. This group has continued to impress their colleagues and have furthered the purpose of the Forty Under 40 mission which is evidenced through their continued service in the industry as well as their communities.

These five are:

Elana Stone Anderson
Company: BedMart Mattress Superstores
Position:  Vice President of Marketing

Brian Cattin
Company: Gallatin Valley Furniture
Position: Managing Partner  

Kyle Doran
Company: President/CEO
Position: R&A Marketing

Jonathan Kashanian
Company: FJ Kashnanian
Title:  Vice President

Jay Lorenzo
Company: AICO
Position: Sales Professional

Home Furnishings Business’ 2019 Forty Under 40 is proudly sponsored by Storis, a leading retail software solutions company. 

Nominations for the Class of 2020 are now open at http://hfbusiness.com/Fortyunder40