As summer comes to an end, industry players are making moves. Read on for Business of Home’s monthly roundup of arrivals and departures in design, manufacturing, media and more.
To the Trade
Houston-based lighting manufacturer Visual Comfort & Co. announced Shane Judd as president of the company’s direct division Circa Lighting. Judd spent 24 years at Kohler Company, most recently serving as the global vice president of digital transformation and playing an integral role in launching Kohler’s e-commerce and direct-to-consumer businesses across digital and store channels. In his new role, Judd will provide strategic leadership and overall direction for Circa Lighting, reporting directly to Visual Comfort founder and CEO Andy Singer.
New York–based leather goods manufacturer Cortina Leathers announced Kathryn Prause as marketing director. Prause is now a part-owner of the company and most recently held roles as graphic design lead and marketing consultant. She brings more than 20 years of marketing experience to the new role, previously working on contracts with Nestlé, Ernst & Young and Lincoln Electric in Cleveland.
Austin-based building products brand Kova welcomed Matthew White as its new design research manager. White brings more than 10 years of experience in architecture, engineering, product and construction, and previously served as a senior project manager at international design solutions company UAP.
Design & Architecture
Minneapolis-based architecture and design firm Nelson Worldwide announced three new leaders: A.J. Montero as national design leader of health care, Robert Cohoon as central regional technical leader and Richard Wilden as a mixed-use design leader. Montero was a partner at Seattle-based design and architecture firm NBBJ for 25 years and has experience developing building projects for top health care institutions, commercial developers and city governments; in this new role, he will develop Nelson’s health care portfolio. Cohoon has over 30 years of industry experience, previously serving as associate principal, director of operations and technical director of interior design at Chicago-based architectural planning firm Perkins&Will. In his new role, Cohoon will coordinate drawing/document production and oversee construction code compliance in the central region. Wilden brings over 20 years of experience in commercial real estate architecture and will rejoin Nelson after previously working at the company for 14 years. In his new role, Wilden will lead master planning and architectural design out of the firm’s Ohio office.
Ohio-based architecture, engineering, geospatial and strategic consulting firm Woolpert announced Paul Heflin as market director. Heflin brings 30 years of leadership experience in design, architecture, engineering, business development and technical design skills, most recently serving as vice president for design and construction at food and beverage service company SSP America. In his new role, Heflin will lead architecture, engineering and interior design strategy for Woolpert’s private sector clients.
New York–based Daun Curry Design Studio announced the appointment of Paris Grant as studio director. Grant previously ran her own eponymous design firm for nearly four years, leading to features in Architectural Digest and Elle Decor, and has worked as a senior designer with award-winning firms, including that of designer Jamie Drake and Pembrooke & Ives. In her new role, she will head strategic planning and hiring, manage clients and projects across verticals, and help to guide the firm’s design development.
Washington, D.C.–based multidisciplinary architecture and design firm //3877 welcomed Kate Janik as architectural associate. Janik recently graduated from the Catholic University of America and previously interned with global architecture firm CallisonRTKL, gaining mechanical, electrical, plumbing and structural experience. In her new role, she will work on computer-aided design and technology, assisting teams throughout design development, schematic design and construction administration.
New York–based interior design firm Foley&Cox promoted two team members: Zuni Madera as vice president and Stephanie Daniels as senior interior designer. Madera joined the firm in 2007 and previously served as the design director, leading client communications and project design and development. Madera will direct the firm’s creative and aesthetic development. In her new role, Daniels will lead design development, support project administration and represent the firm at industry events.
Media & PR
House Beautiful will welcome Jessica Cherner as associate shopping editor. Cherner started in the design industry with a PR role at Nylon Consulting before moving into editorial roles at Architectural Digest, the New York Post and 1stDibs, where she served as the associate editor.
Luxe Interiors + Design magazine announced Jana Weill as senior marketing director. Most recently, Weill served as the marketing director at New York–based leather goods manufacturer Cortina Leathers; she also brings more than 10 years of marketing experience with companies such as The Robert Allen Group and Designtex.
Retail & Manufacturing
Ohio-based retailer Arhaus announced Tim Kuckelman as chief operating officer, a new role within the company. Kuckelman brings more than 30 years of experience in retail operations and logistics to his new role and will report directly to the company’s co-founder and CEO John Reed. Most recently, Kuckleman served as COO of California-based retail luxury goods company Fashionphile.
Beth Brenner stepped down from her role as president of DIY cabinet brand Semihandmade. After more than 15 years spearheading advertising at design publications like Domino and Traditional Home, Brenner joined Semihandmade in 2020, where she built a team to position the company for its next chapter, including the recent launch Semihandmade for All, which makes the brand’s cabinet fronts compatible with built-ins from any manufacturer.
After five years, Marisa Marcantonio is leaving her role as director of trade relations at Chairish, where she built the trade business by fostering designer relationships, leading trade email marketing and webinars, and growing the brand’s qualified membership. An industry veteran with more than 20 years of experience in creative strategy, marketing, content curation, partnerships and e-commerce, Marcantonio’s past roles include House Beautiful, where she was the style editor, and business development at Gilt.
Los Angeles–based lighting technology company Acclaim Lighting appointed Dan Erdmann as new eastern regional sales manager. Most recently, Erdmann served as sales manager for electrical manufacturing company Moda Light, where he oversaw sales team operations along with project management and tracking. In his new role, Erdmann will direct commercial sales and continue working alongside the company’s existing independent rep firms to increase product awareness and grow market share.
Real Estate
New York–based co-living company Common announced Karlene Holloman as its new CEO. Previously, Holloman served as Common’s executive vice president of property management, and she brings more than 30 years of experience building hospitality businesses in both the U.S. and Australia. Holloman is replacing founder and chairman of Common Brad Hargreaves, who will continue to serve as the company’s COO and focus on bringing new types of housing to the market.
Industry Organizations
The American Society of Interior Designers announced the retirement of CEO Gary Wheeler. Wheeler joined ASID as a student at Louisiana Tech University and has been a member for more than 30 years. He was named an ASID Fellow, the society’s highest honor, and served as the interim CEO in 2020 and was permanent CEO in 2021. During his tenure, Wheeler worked to improve the organization’s inclusivity and amplified research initiatives to make positive contributions to the profession. Wheeler will remain an advisor to ASID through the 2022 calendar year and assist with the onboarding of ASID’s incoming CEO.
The International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter elected new positions to the executive board and board of directors at large. The new executive board includes Sarah Levine of ZGF as president; Alexandria Davis of IA Interior Architects as president-elect; and assistant project manager at NYU Langone Medical Center Elsie St. Léger as immediate past president. The board of directors includes Jennifer Graham of Perkins&Will as vice president of action; Corina Folts of SWBR as vice president of advocacy; Larry Cohen of VS America as vice president of city centers; Vanessa Perry of OFS as vice president of communications; Dylan Howe of Perkins&Will and Samantha McCormack of TPG as vice presidents of events; Stephen Blau of Commercial Furniture Interiors and Christin Weaver of Perkins&Will as vice presidents of member services; Haeyoung Shin of Gensler and Jason Lazarz of KI as vice presidents of professional development; Ginger Gilden of Macro Consultants as vice president of sponsorship; and Elisabeth Mejia of HKS and Robin Reigi of Robin Reigi Inc. as vice presidents of student development.
Correction: August 30, 2022
An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that Arhaus had changed COOs. The COO role is a new position within the company.
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