Spring is typically a time for new beginnings—with an influx of newly appointed positions, the home sector is no exception. As the industry continues to grow, read on for Business of Home’s April roundup of hires in design, manufacturing, media and more.

To The Trade

Messe Frankfurt Exhibition has announced the appointment of Julia Uherek and Philipp Ferger as vice presidents of consumer goods fairs starting June 1. The pair will be responsible for all trade fair brands, including Ambiente, Christmasworld and Paperworld, plus future trade fair platforms. Nicolette Naumann, who is currently responsible for Ambiente, has announced her departure from the company, but will continue on in an advisory capacity until the end of June.

Universal Furniture has announced the promotion of Neil MacKenzie to vice president of marketing. Mackenzie first joined the business six years ago as director of marketing; since then, he has led a complete overhaul of the company’s digital presence, initiated an influencer marketing program, and created an educational and social experience for the brand in its High Point showroom.

Online custom furniture maker BuildLane has brought on three new account managers: Alejandra Zapata, formerly a customer success manager at Sweeten; Nora O’Halloran, formerly an interior designer at Airbnb; and Haleigh Long, former account manager at Chelsea Textiles.

Hudson Valley Lighting Group’s Mitzi brand welcomes Molly McDermott Walsh as its new director. Walsh comes to the position with more than 15 years of experience in marketing, most recently as vice president of marketing at Semihandmade. Walsh will continue to provide organizational performance services through her Three Lines Consulting practice.

Wallpaper and textile brand The Vale London has named Tiggy Fairfax as the company’s first chief operating officer. Fairfax’s experience includes working for makeup brand Charlotte Tilbury as well as in private equity in London. In her new position, she will work alongside CEO Melinda Marquardt to promote growth and continue work on specific projects.

Media & PR

Here at Business of Home, we’re excited to welcome Caroline Bourque as our new editorial assistant. Bourque, whose most recent work includes this article, is a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and joins BOH from a fellowship at 5280.

Apartment Therapy Media’s site Kitchn has tapped Patty Lee to serve as executive editor. Lee, who most recently served as senior food editor at The Spruce, has more than a decade of media experience, ranging from print titles like the New York Daily News and Time Out New York to digital positions with the Cooking Channel, Zagat and Today.com.

Hello PR Group welcomes two new team members, bringing on Lauren Margallo as social media manager and Sam Jones as junior account executive.

Design & Architecture

Chicago-based Tom Stringer Design Partners has appointed Daniel Paul as chief operating officer. In this position, Paul will oversee the firm’s day-to-day financial and operational activities.

Olson Kundig is adding two new hires to its executive team, announcing the appointment of Greg Rogers as director of visualization, and Shari Roberts as director of human resources. Rogers, who formerly served in a similar role at WeWork, will lead firm-wide implementation of visualization strategies to shape internal and external representation of Olson Kundig’s work. Roberts brings more than 20 years of human resources experience and will be the first person to serve in the newly created role.

New York–based specialty builder AE Greyson has named Stephen Clark as vice president, where he will work with the firm’s founder and principal to collaborate with architects, interior designers and clients. Prior to joining AE Greyson, Clark served as the director of operations at RD Rice Construction for 20 years.

Architect Philippe Marmillod is the most recent addition to the Santa Monica–based architecture and design firm Montalba Architects. Joining the firm’s team in Lausanne, Switzerland, Marmillod brings more than two decades of design experience, including collaborations with Swiss architecture firms on projects ranging from campus construction and office building to residential and hospitality facilities, as well as international experience partnering with American firms on large-scale projects. The firm has also promoted five employees across both offices: Kelly Hromadka, Gregg Oelker, Cillian Magee, Stephanie Rychner-Roux and Kyle Engoian.

CO Architects has promoted Jennifer Knudsen to the position of managing principal. Knudsen joined the firm in 1998 as a project designer, and has led the firm’s hiring and growth over the past five years. She succeeds Scott Kelsey who has served as the managing principal for the last 15 years.

London-based interior design and architecture company Sarah Ward Interiors has newly rebranded as Ward & Co. Interiors, and along with the change announces the appointment of Sarah’s daughter Rosie Ward as creative director. Rosie Ward worked alongside her mother for seven years before assuming her current role, contributing to a range of projects in the U.K. and abroad.

Hospitality firm Hirsch Bedner Associates has announced a new organizational structure and appointed four senior management positions as part its growth strategy: Jacques Coetzee, managing partner of HBA Americas, based in Atlanta; Andrew Moore, managing partner of HBA Asia Pacific and EMEA, based in Singapore; Leo Ying Li, managing partner of HBA China, based in Shanghai; and Chris Godfrey, managing partner of HBA Brand Partners and EMEA, based in Singapore. René Gross Kærskov and Ian Carr will transition from their co-CEO positions to new roles as members of HBA’s board of directors.

Manufacturing & Retail

Miami-based outdoor furnishing manufacturer Tuuci has named David Schutte as the company’s newest president. Schutte’s industry and leadership experience includes four consecutive senior executive positions with Knoll Inc. over the past 16 years. Former president Tom Parker, who first assumed the role in 2000, will continue on with the company as general counsel and remain on the board of directors.

Wittmann has appointed Italian designer Luca Nichetto to serve as the Austrian furniture manufacturer’s newest creative director. Nichetto runs studios in Venice and Stockholm, along with teaching design at his alma mater, Università Iuav di Venezia. His plans for the brand include the redesign of the brand's flagship store in Vienna.

Cooking and home brand Food52 has announced the appointments of one new board member and three executives: Mike Smith joins the board of directors, Katasha Harley joins as senior vice president and head of people and culture, Steve Jacobs joins as chief product officer, and Matt Greenberg joins as senior vice president of brand partnerships. After the company doubled its revenue in 2020, it plans to continue growing its team by 50 percent this year.

Industry Organizations

The New York School of Interior Design welcomes Sacsha Flowers as its new career services and internship coordinator. Flowers comes to the position with more than a decade of experience working in fashion design for Calvin Klein and other high-end retailers, along with more recent roles in coaching and advising at Alexander Wang Inc. and her alma mater, Parsons School of Design.

The New York chapter of the International Furnishings and Design Association has named its 2021 board: designer David Santiago has been named president; Andrea Warriner has been named chapter advisor; Susan Hirsh will serve as VP of educational foundation and recording secretary; Zahava Schwartz will share the duties of VP of educational foundation; and Jennifer Munich will act as treasurer. Other members of the board include Rose Gilbert, Andrea Algaze, Garette Johnson, Jessica Kaller, Su Hilty, Charles Pavarini III, J. Randall Tarasuk, Sarah Fletcher, Jennifer Munich, Erin Nova Peker, Susan Tucker, Richard Segal, Maureen Klein, Michelle Slovak, Amy Figueroa and Claire Colman.

The newly formed NYCxDesign nonprofit welcomes Elissa Black as its executive director. Black previously served in executive leadership positions at the Van Alen Institute and the Guggenheim Museum, and will work in her new role to expand design opportunities throughout the city.

The Gift and Home Trade Association has named Laurie Burns as its new executive director. In this role, Burns will assist members through education events and an annual conference to expand GHTA’s offerings.

The International Textile Alliance has elected Elise Gabrielson and Andy Pacuk to its board of directors. Gabrielson currently serves as marketing director of Crypton Home Fabric, where she was tapped to launch consumer-facing brand marketing for the product line. Pacuk, a sales executive with Ultrafabrics, brings more than 30 years of experience in home and contract design management.

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