The design industry is full of new and changing faces. Editor at Large is tracking who's coming and who's going. Below are a few changes of note.
In the retail sector...
Christiane Lemieux, the founder of DwellStudio, was named Executive Creative Director of Wayfair. In her new role, Lemieux plans to roll out a number of new lifestyle brands in 2014 and 2015. Wayfair acquired Dwellstudio in August of 2013.
Design Within Reach appointed David Kennedy to VP, Contract Sales. Kennedy joins DWR after serving as the regional director of North America and the Caribbean at DEDON. Kennedy also served as VP of sales at Brown Jordan, where he directed all showroom, residential and contract sales teams.
One Kings Lane announced that e-commerce veteran Arun Rajan has joined the company as Chief Technology Officer (CTO). He spent more than four years as CTO of Zappos leading all aspects of technology for the company. In his new role, Rajan will lead end-to-end technology delivery, data infrastructure and site operations to support the growth and evolution of One Kings Lane, overseeing its rapidly expanding technology teams based in San Francisco. Rajan joins alongside Chief Product Officer David Yu.
Dr. Christian Schwarz will lead all domestic marketing initiatives as Vice President of Marketing for Miele USA. He will report directly to Nick Ord, President of Miele, USA, and will be based out of the company’s Princeton, NJ headquarters. During his 20 years with the company, Dr. Schwarz was responsible for increasing the company’s presence on social media, developing a consumer loyalty program and creating marketing campaigns which resulted in market shares above 20%.
Kathy Veltri, the former president of Thomasville Furniture who was recently renamed senior vice president of retail under Heritage Home Group's senior management restructuring, has left the company. Details here.
In the media world...
Cottages & Gardens has added a number of new staff to its publications NYC&G, HC&G, CTC&G and SFC&G.
Paige Alexus has joined as the new associate editor, principally covering the market for both NYC&G and HC&G. She previously worked at Martha Stewart Living as both an intern and an editorial assistant in the Home & Decorating and Style departments and was most recently the assistant market editor at Country Living.
Cindi Cooke is the new features editor for NYC&G and HC&G. She has a background editing and writing for several lifestyle and interiors publications including Hamptons, Avenue, and Hampton Style.
Kelly Velocci, the NY-based intern, was hired fulltime as editorial assistant. She will be the NY office point person and will occasionally help the marketing department with C&G events in the city.
At CTC&G, Michelle Manger is the executive administrator/ office manager. Ann Marie Scala has been named director digital content. Christina Bachmann is production Manager, replacing Kerri Fice. Annie Loynd who is the new Assistant Editor.
At SFC&G, Lisa Mackie has been named Senior Account Manager and Nikki Glazer is Account Manager.
Stacey Piano is VERANDA's new Lifestyle Account Director. She will be handling kitchen and bath, paint, auto, travel and finance. With more than 20 plus years of experience at Hearst, Piano joins VERANDA from Latina, and prior to that she held positions at Town & Country, Smart Money, and other magazines.
Ashley Boyle has rejoined the New York offfice of Camron PR as Senior Account Director where she will work on Artemide, Bernhardt Design, Bisazza, Restoration Hardware, and Tai Ping Carpets. Previously, she oversaw PR and events for luxury carpet and textile designer Madeline Weinrib.
Interior designers and firms...
Kimball Office named Joe Pace as its new Southeast Region Manager, covering North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. Pace will provide direction, support, and motivation to sales associates and dealers in an effort to grow and facilitate brand awareness with influencers in unique and innovative ways.
Patti Guthrie has returned to Marc-Michaels as its Director of Model Merchandising. She will provide client service, design leadership and direction, and will serve as a liaison between Marc-Michaels and the building community. She plans to continue to be heavily involved with the National Association of Home Builders and The Florida Home Builders Association.
Gensler announced the promotions of Sonya Dufner and Molly Murphy to Principals in its New York office and Dana Nalbantian to Principal in its Morristown office. Dufner is the Director of Workplace Strategy in Gensler’s New York office and a regional client relationship leader and works with national and global clients to rethink their use of technology and process and its influence on company culture, productivity, and attracting the best talent. Murphy contributes to the GenslerOn blog, where she shares insights on brand and retail design. Nalbantian is a Studio Director in Gensler’s Morristown office and a Firmwide Project Management Leader.
Faulkner Design Group has added Project Manager Vidya Samanth to its team. A 20-year veteran of the architectural and design industry, Samanth is a LEED certified professional and worked at SHW Group–Plano where she specialized in designing schools and educational facilities. She also spent a few years as a self-employed designer, focusing on interiors and residential projects in India and in Dallas.
In design organizations...
Robin Baron, interior designer and lifestyle expert, has been named 2015 President Elect of the ASID NY Chapter.
The ICAA named Mark Ferguson as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He assumes this position after serving as Director since 2006, and most recently as Chair of the Education Oversight Committee, Chair of the President Search Committee, and Vice Chair of the Board.
In showrooms and design centers...
Mr. Joseph Leven is the new owner of Sonia’s Place, the 50-year-old wallcovering and fabric company in the D&D Building. He aquired the business from Joy and Michael Lurie.
Merchandise Mart Properties announced changes to its management team and reaffirmed its commitment to producing the International Casual Furniture and Accessories Market in partnership with the International Casual Furnishings Association. Myron Maurer, a 27-year veteran of MMPI, has assumed the role of managing the Chicago team. John Brennen III had announced last month that his responsibilities would be transitioned to other executives at the end of 2013 as he ended his 26 years with MMPI. Susan McCullough, Senior Vice President who has been with MMPI for more than 25 years and oversees MMPI's Trade Show division, will now oversee the International Casual Furnishings and Accessories Market and Preview Show. Madeleine Tullier, director of sales for Casual Markets over the past seven years, will continue to head those sales efforts. She will become a valuable member of McCullough's tradeshow team. Byron Morton, a 10-year MMPI veteran, will continue as VP of Leasing, managing Casual Market and NeoCon leasing efforts at the Mart. Katherine Flaherty, VP of Leasing for LuxeHome who is responsible for launching the kitchen and bath retail concept in Chicago and New York, will now oversee residential home furnishings leasing at The Merchandise Mart in Chicago. Julia Chappell will continue to lead the Mart's residential home furnishings marketing efforts.
In design fairs...
Marianne Goebl, the director of Design Miami/ for the past three years, will step down in order to pursue other interests. She will continue her relationship with the fair as a member of the Design Miami/ board. The fair's owners, MCH Group and Dacra, have tapped Rodman Primack to fill the role of Executive Director, effective March 1. Primack is well-known through his work as Chairman of Phillips de Pury & Company in London, a director of the Gagosian Gallery in Los Angeles, the Director of Auctions at the online platform Paddle8, and through his consulting practice, RP Miller.
Collective Design Fair appointed Jillian Choi to Fair Manager.
Comings and goings we missed? Drop us a line at ssnowden@editoratlarge.com and let us know!
