The days are getting longer, and companies across the industry are preparing for spring by rearranging teams and electing new board members. Read on for Business of Home’s monthly roundup of arrivals and departures in design, manufacturing, media and more.
To the Trade
Brooklyn-based Calico Wallpaper welcomed Samantha Cuello as marketing director. Cuello brings 10 years of experience in direct-to-consumer and business-to-business marketing, having previously worked at The Shade Store as the director of trade relations and marketing, Business of Home as a special projects director and custom cabinet company Semihandmade as the director of brand marketing. Most recently, Cuello launched her own consulting firm, Samantha Cuello Consulting, to help business-to-business clients develop their brands.
California-based reupholstery and refinishing company Revitaliste welcomed Paula Victoria Dai as the new trade project specialist. Dai brings experience in the interior design industry to her new role, most recently serving as a senior designer at Romanek Design Studio and previously working at Pembrooke & Ives as a junior designer as well as Courtney Thomas Design as a designer.
Design & Architecture
Global architecture firm CallisonRTKL announced two new principles: Jessica Anderson and Sarvine Ashkan. Anderson brings more than 20 years of experience in residential and institutional design to her new role in the Washington, D.C. office, most recently serving as associate and project manager at Michigan-based design firm SmithGroup. Ashkan has 35 years of architectural experience, with a focus on large-scale health care facilities, and will lead the firm’s health care studio while focusing on staff mentorship, business development and client relationships in Los Angeles.
Minneapolis-based architecture and design firm Nelson Worldwide made several new appointments: John Lewis as national practice leader in the multifamily sector; Andrew Lengel as studio leader of retail; Shay Lam as studio leader of workplace, asset strategy and hospitality; and Courtney Reid as design leader of retail. Lewis has been with the firm since 2018, brings more than 25 years of industry experience to his new role and will continue to grow the company’s presence in the multifamily space. Lengel, who currently collaborates with the retail team on Philadelphia, Newark and New York airport restaurants and concession stands, will work to grow the firm’s retail practice in the Northeastern region in his new role. Lam, who most recently served as managing executive of the creative studio at New York–based firm TPG Architecture, brings 20 years of industry experience to his new role, and will help establish the company in the New York and tri-state area. Reid, whose 13-plus years of industry experience include architecture firms like Daroff Design and PZS Architects, will oversee projects for the food and beverage team in her new role. Finally, as a part of Nelson’s succession plan, the firm launched a Path to Principal program to align long-term financial success and compensation of leadership. The firm appointed 30 leaders to this new program, which is broken down into three levels: associate principal, principal and senior principal.
Multidisciplinary design firm //3877 welcomed Nishtha Chawla to its team. Chawla graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of the Arts and began her career as a project designer at KGD Architecture, where she worked independently on large-scale spaces.
Maryland-based architecture and planning firm Hord Coplan Macht announced the retirement of founder and chief executive officer Lee Coplan. Coplan led the practice for more than four decades, co-founding the firm with Ed Hord and Carol Macht in 1977, during which time he was instrumental in the firm’s growth, expanding the practice across five U.S. offices and making a conscious effort to improve staff diversity. Lee is succeeded by Tim Barnhill, the current chief operating officer, who has been with Hord Coplan Macht for almost 20 years.
New York–based firm Morris Adjmi Architects welcomed P. Christian Bailey as a director. Bailey joins MA with more than 25 years of architectural experience, serving as the founding principal and director of ODA Architecture for the past 15 years. In his new role, Bailey will work collaboratively with founding principal Morris Adjmi and the firm’s leadership team to develop and execute projects.
New York–based design firm TPG Architecture promoted Samantha McCormack and Alexandria Rabuffo to managing executives. McCormack brings more than 15 years of design and leadership to her new role, previously working for architecture firms Gensler and Perkins Eastman before TPG. During her past 10 years with the firm, McCormack created more than 25 LEED-certified projects and will continue to design spaces that enrich the workplace environment. With 20-plus years of experience on commercial, retail, residential, civic and hospitality projects, Rabuffo joined TPG in 2015 after working at Goshow Architects and Pompei C3. Her portfolio at TPG includes projects for Interpublic Group, BSE Global and JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Connecticut-based architecture and interior design firm JCJ Architecture promoted four team members to associate principal. Emily Czarnecki’s promotion comes after working at the firm for more than 18 years as a senior interior designer, during which she specialized in school environments with JCJ’s education practice group. As a design team leader, Jeffrey Elliott is working on a number of the firm’s green projects in design and construction. Roy Olsen, a member of the JCJ team since 1997, serves as the firm’s director of technical resources and building envelope specialist, specifying products for design intent and budget and schedule needs. Daniel Thornton has served in a key role on many of the firm’s large-scale projects, including gaming, hospitality resorts and mixed-use properties, and is a studio leader in Hartford, Connecticut. In addition to these promotions, JCJ also named Alison DiVenere, Justin Ewing and Jim Healy as associates.
Media & PR
Beth Greene, former executive vice president of marketing and strategic branding at Kravet, launched a consulting agency specializing in the development of strategy-driven creative solutions, including branding and traditional campaign management; video, digital media and content solutions; as well as product licensing consultation, and book concept and development.
New York–based communications and digital marketing agency UpSpring welcomed Christina Cherry as senior communications director. Previously, Cherry worked at New York–based public relations companies NJF and M18, where she held roles as a senior executive and director. In her new role, Cherry’s client roster will include architecture, interior design and master planning firms that work in a range of sectors including corporate interiors, hospitality, education, housing and more.
North Carolina–based company MB Public Relations announced Sarah Bell as senior client success manager. Most recently, Bell served as a senior account executive at Sharp Think and previously held roles at UpSpring. In her new role, Bell will represent artists, and architecture and interior design firms.
Retail & Manufacturing
Dallas-based rug wholesaler Loloi Rugs announced Scott Eckman as president. Most recently, Eckman served as the executive vice president and chief revenue officer of International Market Centers, overseeing teams responsible for permanent showroom and temporary exhibitor leasing across all of IMC’s categories and locations. Before his career at IMC, Eckman served as senior vice president of the affinity division at North Carolina–based company GMAC Insurance and as a general manager at paper manufacturer Georgia-Pacific.
Furniture stores company Markor International Home Furnishings announced the departure of Jeff Young, the president and CEO of Jonathan Charles. During his 14 years at the company, Young served as the driving force behind Markor’s effort to transform Schnadig into a distinctive Caracole brand, acting as Markor’s chief branding officer and leading other U.S. home furnishings divisions. Young’s tenure with Markor caps a 50-year career in the home furnishings industry, where he worked at family-owned businesses like Dixie Furniture, Link Taylor, Young Hinkle and Henry Link and served as president and CEO of Fine Furniture, Drexel Heritage and HDM.
Fabric manufacturer Sunbrella welcomed Jason Burgess as indoor market manager. Burgess has 14 years of experience in the textile industry, previously serving as the showroom manager for Thibaut wallpaper before relocating to Sunbrella owner Glen Raven’s headquarters in North Carolina, where he oversees sales and works closely with the design, marketing and sales teams.
Dallas-based furniture design and manufacturer The Living Company promoted Alan Fang to president in addition to his current position as chief operations officer. Fang brings years of experience in global supply chains, previously holding management and C-suite positions for multiple companies like sporting goods manufacturer Specialized Bicycle Components and California-based companies MGA Entertainment and BRG Sports. Fang oversees global manufacturing and IT at The Living Company and will take on finance, accounting and e-commerce oversight in his new role.
Industry Organizations
The International Furnishings and Design Association’s educational foundation announced its 2023 board of trustees, which will oversee and administer more than $30,000 in annual design-related scholarships and grants. Karen Dzendolet of the New England chapter was named chair of the board, a position previously held by Helen Wagner of the New York chapter. Stephanie Sultanov Graham of the Philadelphia chapter was appointed vice chair and president-elect; Earline Feldman of the Carolinas chapter will serve as director of scholarships and grants; Kathleen Penney of the Philadelphia chapter continues her role as director of resources; and Sarah Fletcher of the New York chapter continues her position as the director of communications. More returning board members include Shirley Ebert as financial manager, Earline Feldman as website manager and Dawn Brinson as IFDA International Chapter president.
Design Leadership Network announced Hadley Keller as the director of editorial and community engagement. Keller previously worked at Architectural Digest as a market editor, design writer and the founding editor of AD Pro. She most recently served as the digital director at House Beautiful, where she oversaw digital content and brand franchises. In her new role at DLN, Keller will oversee all print and online editorial initiatives, and help develop first-in-class public platforms that give members and partners a chance to tell their stories.
International Market Centers announced changes to its executive and senior leadership teams: Dorothy Belshaw was promoted to executive vice president and chief growth officer; Karen Olson was appointed chief marketing officer; Brett Austin assumed the role of senior vice president of procurement and production; and Brian Archer will take on additional responsibility as senior vice president of LightFair. A 30-year trade show industry veteran, Belshaw joined IMC in 2012, first serving as president of the gift division and eventually as an executive leader, helping facilitate IMC’s acquisition and integration of AmericasMart Atlanta in 2018 and Shoppe Object in 2022. In her newly created role, Belshaw will be responsible for all IMC revenues and strategic growth initiatives. Olson brings more than 25 years of experience in wholesale marketing and business strategy to her new role and has been with IMC since 2011, facilitating the company’s marketing for High Point, as well as its expansion into Las Vegas in 2011, Atlanta in 2018 and JuniperMarket in 2020. Austin has more than 20 years of experience in managing advertising sales, production, procurement, project management and creative services, joining IMC in 2018 as part of the company’s acquisition of AmericasMart Atlanta, where he oversaw marketing operations across the company’s three campuses. Archer brings nearly 20 years of financial and accounting experience to his role, in which he oversees the accounting, tax, treasury, risk management, payroll and financial reporting while also serving as a board member of LightFair, an annual commercial lighting trade show, co-owned by IMC.
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