Summer may be slow for markets and new launches, but these on-the-move professionals prove there’s still some bustling in the industry this season. Check out the latest insiders making career moves.
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
Detroit-based design firm Hamilton Anderson Associates has added to its leadership team with the hire of Renee Cruse as director of interiors. Previously, Cruse served as the lead interior designer at the University of Michigan.
Cutting Edge Homes, a boutique design firm in Boston, has named Laura Custodie as senior interior designer. She’ll be taking on the newly created position after having served as an on-site project manager with Daher Interior Design.
Architecture and design firm Ike Kligerman Barkley has made several shifts around the office this summer. Margie Lavender, Ross Padluck and Daniel Relyea have each been named senior associate, and Yi Huang and Tyler Velten have been named associates.
Houston interior architecture firm Lauckgroup welcomes John Dazey as its newest associate and senior designer. Previous roles at McCoy-Rockford, Gensler and Morris Architects contribute to Dazey’s 25-plus years of industry experience.
Dallas firm MatchLine Design Group has named Erin Renée Bailey as a junior designer. In the new role, Bailey’s design roster will include hospitality brands Ramada, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn and Aloft Hotels.
San Francisco0–based interior design firm BAMO has appointed Anne Wilkinson and Billy Quimby as principals. Wilkinson began her career at BAMO in 1993, when she was hired as the firm’s first employee. Quimby joined the West Coast firm in 2000.
PR & MARKETING
Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams has named Samantha Jacobson as vice president of public relations and special events. Jacobson brings with her a background in managing and producing events and television coverage, having previously served as a TV producer at CBS and OWN.
Gail Doby Coaching & Consulting, which services design-industry professionals, has appointed Caitlin Doemner as director of client development. Prior to the move, Doemner was the founder of a client-relationship consulting practice.
Strategic consultant Heidi J. Diamond of Diamond Enterprises and Future Value has been recruited by ViscoSoft, the Charlotte-based mattress, pillow and protector manufacturer, to initiate a variety of retail and direct-to-consumer programs. Diamond brings her experience as the former president of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia to her marketing consulting services.
Cindy Hodnett has been named the director of public relations and communications at International Market Centers (IMC), where she’ll oversee the marketing departments for Las Vegas Market and High Point Market. Prior to joining IMC, Hodnett was the upholstery and style editor for Furniture Today and editor in chief for Designers Today.
After nearly three years as the vice president of fashion at Wetherly, Dana Schwartz has left the agency to pursue other opportunities.
Design publicist Nicole Gill-Ottinger has announced that she’ll be moving back to England this month to enter semi-retirement. Having spent 33 years in the United States, she spent a majority of her career in Dallas leading the firm NGO Public Relations.
Textile and home furnishings brand Bunakara has appointed Valerie Dierker as its new social media manager. She’ll be responsible for expressing brand values through outreach campaigns. Formerly, Dierker worked in merchandising for AHAlife, Gilt Groupe and Barnes & Noble.
Executive management at The Merchandise Mart in Chicago underwent several changes this season. Blair Loftspring has been promoted to managing director of leasing and marketing, and Beth Hicks has been named managing director of marketing for the Design Center and the Casual Market.
Theodore Alexander has announced that Jackie K. Paulsen will be leading the brand’s global marketing team as chief marketing officer. Paulsen takes on the newly created title after having worked with brands like Henredon, Barbara Barry, Ralph Lauren Home and more.
Camron PR has named Kelsey London a senior account manager. She will oversee the accounts for Yabu Pushelberg, Swarovsky, Ace Hotel Chicago and Pittsburgh, SPACE Copenhagen and Tara Bernerd & Partners.
Public relations firm Magrino has named Phoebe Lasky senior account executive. Lasky will be managing accounts for Martha Stewart, Farrow & Ball, Annie Selke brands and The Ranch.
Fabric, hardware and wallcovering manufacturer Fabricut has named Danica Jones senior marketing director.
Crypton expands its marketing team with the appointment of Matt Targett as vice president of marketing. The recipient of three ADDY awards, Targett previously served as the vice president of digital customer experience at La-Z-Boy.
MANUFACTURING, RETAIL & SALES
Textile manufacturer Carnegie welcomed Chris Latham to its sales leadership team. With more than 20 years in the textile industry, Latham will now oversee the brand’s East Coast sales efforts.
Izzy Jimenez has been named a sales representative at Décor NYC. Prior to this new role, he was a project manager at Anthony Lawrence.
McKinnon and Harris has named Rebecca Parker director of business development. Parker was previously a sales representative at Schumacher.
West Elm has appointed Cheryl Carpenter to vice president of West Elm Workspace, where she’ll lead the in-house team in product design and development, supply chain management, sales and marketing, and more. Carpenter brings more than 20 years of experience in the contract furniture sector, having worked at Herman Miller and Steelcase.
Architectural materials manufacturer 3form has promoted Jennifer Ruckel to vice president of sales after a seven-year tenure at the company. In the new role, Ruckel will head all of the company’s North American sales functions.
Spanish porcelain manufacturer Lladró has named Manuel Ehrensperger CEO. Ehrensperger has accrued more than 20 years of experience in the fashion and retail industry, having most recently served as the CEO of Pronovias. Strengthening the company’s expansion and growth will be among the new CEO’s top priorities.
