Summer is no longer a slow season: Just ask any number of the many career-changing designers and other industry pros making moves during these dog days. Browse EAL’s lineup of the latest comings and goings in the design industry.
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
Decor Aid has hired Lori Touchton as senior designer. Touchton will join the full-time, in-house team, and brings with her experience at firms including Victoria Hagan Interiors, David Kleinberg Design Associates, and Robin Baron Design.
Pacific Design Center has hired marketing manager Eric Gonzalez, who arrives with experience in conceiving and executing marketing strategy, social media campaigns, editorial copy, promotional collateral, photo/video assets and event production.
Aliesha Bishop has been named to the role of Xorel studio director at Carnegie Creative, where she will continue leading the efforts of the brand’s sustainable Xorel textile and working on solutions for upholstery, wallcoverings or acoustical wall panels for various projects.
EDITORIAL & PUBLISHING
Orli Ben-Dor has left her role as market editor for Hearst Design Group, which includes Elle Decor, House Beautiful and Veranda magazines, to accept a new role as creative director for Peter Dunham’s Hollywood at Home shop and brand in Los Angeles. Hearst Design Group has had additional changes in its market department: Samantha Emmerling, who was at Hearst for almost 14 years, left to pursue other endeavors; Kathryn Given has joined Architectural Digest as an associate market editor, leaving her role as editorial assistant for House Beautiful, ELLE Decor, and Veranda; Lora Yoon has left her role as associate market editor for a new role at Hamlet; and Sarah Storms has also left her role to join Tory Burch.
PR, SALES & MARKETING
Céline Daude has joined Arte as New York metro area sales consultant, with a primary focus on high-end residential designers. Daude previously lived in France, and worked for several years as a sales consultant in the Arte showroom in Paris. Her prior experience includes working as interior designer in the French Alps and as founder, associate and art director at Folsom Studio in Paris, a graphic and interior design firm.
White Good has named three new hires: Diane McConnell, in account services; Beth Meiklejohn, in public relations; and Sarah Miller, as social media associate. All three are returning to the agency: McConnell returns after 18 years, during which she spent time working at advertising agencies. Meiklejohn earned experience working in marketing, including four years at a Philadelphia agency where she managed the Philadelphia Home Show; and Miller comes back to White Good after working as a college intern supporting the public relations teams for the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) and ROHL Luxury Faucet and Fixtures.
Erin McGarry, former showroom manager at Zimmer + Rhode, has left the brand after four years for a new position at John Rosselli & Associates. She originally began her career at John Rosselli in 2007 as a sales representative.
Elena Espeleta has joined Avery Boardman as sales manager, following recent experience representing the luxury linen brand Cristina Azario, in addition to time spent working for Jonas on the West Coast, and as the director of sales for Moura Starr. Additionally, Lori Decker is transitioning into working as sales manager full-time at Carlyle following her roles managing both Carlyle and Avery Boardman.
MANUFACTURING & RETAIL
Hooker Furniture has named Phillip Siler as vice president-Asia merchandising, a newly created role, where Siler will work with the U.S. and Asia merchandising teams to oversee sample engineering and to manage new product development for international and special accounts. He has worked in management positions with Lane, Universal, LacquerCraft and, most recently, Theodore Alexander in Vietnam.
Hansgrohe has added four team members to its expanding Global Projects division. The brand’s new Global Project sales consultants include Carmen Mikelatos, West Coast and Midwest; Brooke Phillips, South Central; Steven Rivas, Southeast; and Stephanie Weston, Mid-Atlantic.
Lisa Knierim has been named president and CEO, Americas, at Villeroy & Boch, where she is responsible for the sales division and the marketing division of bath and wellness and tableware, both for retail business and B2B for hotels and restaurants, including promotions and incentives. She brings experience from positions at Jarden, Black & Decker and WestPoint Stevens, and was the CEO at Alcohoot NYC, as well as general manager at Wilton Industries Brands.
