Recent industry shifts inside West Elm, Thos. Moser, Francis Cauffman and more make up this month’s Comings & Goings roundup. Here’s the news to know.
SALES, MANUFACTURING & RETAIL
Following his tenure as COO at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, Paul Seston has been named president at Caracole. He assumes the role previously held by Jeff Young, who continues as chairman of Caracole and chief branding officer of Makor International Business Division (MIBD).
Former West Elm creative director Johanna Uurasjarvi has been named chief design officer of J.Crew Group Inc. In her new role, she guides the brand’s overall design direction while reporting to CEO Jim Brett. Prior to West Elm, she served as the creative director of Anthropologie for 10 years.
Gina DeWitt has been named president of Kneedler|Fauchère showrooms after 15 years with the company. She’ll oversee operations in the company’s three showrooms, located in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Denver.
Handcrafted American furniture maker Thos. Moser has appointed Darrell Pardy to vice president and chief operating officer. Pardy, who co-founded Bristol Seafood in the early ’90s, has served as the CFO at Thos. Moser for the past nine months.
Concord, New Hampshire–based furniture manufacturer Company C has named Michael Ackelbein to vice president of global sales and distribution, a role in which he’ll be responsible for the wholesale market inclusive of both dealer and design trade account development.
Rachel Jolivette Brown has left her role as marketing manager at Suite NY to pursue a business degree and a career in real estate. Maria Ignacia Vasquez will be taking over Brown’s responsibilities as the new marketing coordinator.
MEDIA & PR
Byron Cordero has left Andrew Joseph PR to establish Cordero Consulting, a full-service marketing and event management firm that lists Chad James Group, Cynthia Spence Design and Mitchell Hill as clients. Tiffany Farney, formerly of the HL Group, will work with Cordero as an independent contractor.
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE
Matthew LaBrake has been promoted to design director at award-winning architecture firm Blaze Makoid. Previously, he held the title of project coordinator.
Architecture firm Francis Cauffman has expanded its leadership team with the addition of Mark Harbick as principal and corporate practice leader for the firm’s New York City office. A 25-year industry veteran, Harbick will lead the firm’s New York Corporate Workplace Practice, as well as oversee research, design and marketing in the Manhattan branch.
