In light of three phone calls I received recently, I would like to challenge that statement. In fact, based on the calls I got, I’m thinking terrible things come in threes. And, for sure, no good deed goes unpunished.

Here’s why: I got calls from three different reps (each representing different factories) who said they had lines that they cultivated, grew and continued to grow, taken from them as house accounts.

And as someone who has worked with the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association for the past five years, this news, sadly, is becoming more and more commonplace, especially as the economy struggles and business for relatively high-ticket, often-postponable items like ours remains challenged.

Sadly, in the wake of economic downturns, the plight of independent sales representatives often goes unnoticed or worse, swept under the rug. These individuals, who tirelessly build relationships and accounts, are now facing a harsh reality: having their hard-earned accounts taken away by the very factories they represent. This practice not only undermines the efforts of these reps but also highlights a fundamental injustice in the business world.

Independent sales representatives who do it right play a vital role in the economy. They serve as a strong and reliable bridge between manufacturers and consumers, leveraging their expertise, networks and dedication to drive sales and promote products.

Many of these reps invest significant time and resources in nurturing client relationships, understanding market dynamics, providing marketing intelligence and advocating for the brands they represent.

However, amidst economic turbulence, some factories certainly appear to be utilizing drastic measures to cut costs and maintain profitability. One such measure is the termination or reassignment of accounts from independent reps to in-house sales teams or larger distributors. While this may seem like a strategic move from the factory’s perspective, it’s a devastating blow to the independent reps who rely on these accounts for their livelihood.

The decision to strip away accounts from independent reps is not just about reallocating resources; it’s a betrayal of trust and a disregard for the value these reps bring to the table. These individuals often serve as the face of the brand in their respective territories, offering personalized service, localized expertise and a deep understanding of customer needs. By severing ties with independent reps, factories risk alienating loyal customers and sacrificing the competitive edge that these reps provide.

Furthermore, and equally as dangerous, this practice perpetuates a power imbalance in the business ecosystem. Independent sales reps operate with limited bargaining power compared to large corporations. They lack the resources and leverage to challenge unilateral decisions made by factories. As a result, they find themselves at the mercy of these factories, vulnerable to sudden changes that threaten their livelihoods.

Moreover, the repercussions extend beyond the economic realm. For many independent reps, their work is not just a job but a passion. They take pride in building long-term relationships, supporting local businesses and contributing to the success of the brands they represent. The abrupt loss of accounts not only impacts their financial stability but also takes an emotional toll, shaking their confidence and sense of purpose.

In light of these challenges, and in light of what appears to be an uptick in this power imbalance, I think it is time for factories guilty of this practice to rethink their approach to managing independent sales reps, especially during times of economic hardship. Rather than viewing them as expendable assets, factories should recognize the value of these reps as strategic partners in driving sales and fostering brand loyalty.

Moreover, a more equitable and transparent relationship between factories and independent reps is essential. This includes providing clear communication, fair compensation and opportunities for collaboration and mutual growth. By fostering a culture of respect and reciprocity, factories can harness the full potential of independent reps and navigate economic challenges more effectively.

I know for a fact that many independent reps are out there every day representing their respective factories based just on goodwill, a verbal agreement and a handshake. From where I sit, factories that suddenly decide that profitable accounts cultivated by their reps should suddenly become house accounts, send a message that integrity takes a back seat to bottom-line results.

In the spirit of balance, I will also say that not every rep has or brings an A-game on to the field. As with any group, you will have overachievers, achievers, just-enoughs and, yes, some who should really find another line of work that they might be better suited for.

But to penalize a rep who has built up a line and consistently hit his or her numbers is just wrong.

In conclusion, the practice of taking away accounts from productive, engaged and successful independent sales reps amidst economic hardship is not just unfair; it’s short-sighted, counterproductive and destroys trust, not just between the rep and the factory, but within the industry as well.

My message to the factories is this: If you’ve developed a team of successful, loyal and productive independent reps, my hat is off to you.  If you’ve hired reps who are not meeting your expectations, find reps who will. And if you are punishing successful reps by bringing their accounts in house, there is probably something that needs fixing in your house.

It undermines the contributions of these reps, perpetuates inequality in the business landscape and erodes trust within the industry. To build a more resilient and inclusive economy, we must recognize and respect the invaluable role played by independent sales reps and ensure that they are treated with the fairness and dignity they deserve.

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Loree brings significant consumer durables and retail channel experience, having served in C-suite roles at Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. for almost 25 years, including serving as the company’s CEO from 2016 to June 2022.

During his tenure, Loree led growth strategies to increase revenue from $2 billion to $16 billion. Under Loree’s leadership, the company enhanced its advanced manufacturing capabilities, increased operational excellence and responsible business practices, and was recognized as a best workplace for innovators as well as for diversity and inclusion.

“It’s been a privilege to serve as Interim CEO, and I’m proud of the entire SSB team’s commitment to our turnaround efforts,” says Genender. “Over the last eight months, we have successfully relaunched a large portion of our product portfolio, enhanced critical retail relationships, initiated national advertising campaigns, and improved service levels and operating metrics across our plant network. These accomplishments have only been possible through coordination and teamwork across all functions of the organization. We are beginning to see the success of these efforts through regained market share, and we are well positioned for future growth and success.”

I am honored to have the opportunity to lead the Serta Simmons Bedding team into the next phase of our company’s turnaround, grounded in progress and profitable growth,” says Loree. “Mark and the leadership team have laid a strong foundation for success, and I look forward to building on the turnaround strategy and developing a strong culture of accountability focused on driving financial results.”

“Jim’s appointment follows a thoughtful search for a permanent CEO by our board of directors. We are confident he is the right choice to help us continue accelerating our turnaround efforts and drive financial results,” Genender adds. “He brings deep experience from Stanley Black & Decker and General Electric and a record of delivering operating and financial results, and I look forward to working closely with him as board chairman as we continue to expand our business and drive profitability.”

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HIGH POINT — Universal Furniture has hired industry veteran Rick Lovegrove as vice president of upholstery, a new position devoted to the enhancement and growth of the company’s domestic and import upholstery business.

Lovegrove comes to the company from Four Hands, where he has worked for the past decade, most recently as president of upholstery and before that as vice president, product services group and upholstery.

Before that he worked at upholstery manufacturer G. Romano for more than 18 years, both as vice president of design and creative director and brand manager.

In his new position, he reports to Universal President Sean O’Connor, who started the upholstery business for the company around 2015 and who has since handled the development/merchandising responsibilities alongside Shannon Lookabill, vice president of product development. In addition to its import upholstery line produced in Vietnam, the company expanded into domestic upholstery when it acquired Southern Upholstery in 2019. The company said the acquisition allowed Universal to develop its domestic upholstery operations in 2020.

The company said that Lovegrove will collaborate closely with O’Connor and Lookabill to “drive strategic initiatives and innovation within Universal Furniture’s designs. Together, they aim to capitalize on emerging trends, enhance product offerings and reinforce Universal Furniture’s position as a whole home leader in the furniture marketplace.”

Universal said that Lovegrove’s leadership role at Four Hands expanded the category into the “largest product segment at the company. With a career distinguished by domestic and imported furniture expertise, Lovegrove brings a unique skill set to Universal Furniture, poised to drive innovation and growth within the upholstery segment.”

“The upholstery business at Universal has been a focal point in our growth strategy, aimed at expanding design appeal and growing sales,” O’Connor said. “The rapid expansion of this division necessitated the creation of this role, and Rick’s extensive industry experience positions him perfectly to lead and further accelerate our momentum.”

“Rick’s proven track record in scaling businesses within the furniture sector aligns with our vision for Universal Furniture’s future,” O’Connor added. “His leadership will be instrumental as we continue to innovate and meet the evolving demands of our customers.”

Lovegrove said he looks forward to this next step in his industry career.

“I am truly excited to join the Universal team,” he said. “The growth of the brand over the last couple of years has been exciting to witness, and I can’t wait to build and scale the next generation of the upholstery business.” 

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FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. — The passing of Thomas “Tom” Walter Lias has had many in the industry mourning a long-time loyal and committed business partner they described as tough yet empathetic as he sought solutions that would benefit both his company and his suppliers.

Lias, a 50-plus-year industry veteran who was chief executive officer of Gorman’s Home Furnishings & Interior Design in Michigan, died this past Saturday, June 15, in Winter Garden, Florida. He was 77.

Lias was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, and graduated from Chaney High School, also in Youngstown. He then entered the U.S. Army, serving as a drill sergeant, and later attended Youngstown State University and the School of Design at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh.

In 1983, he joined Gorman’s and worked his way up the company ranks to become president in 1996 and chief executive officer in 2017, retiring in June 2023.

The company said that under his leadership, he developed the move to its “100 Brands” strategy that expanded its line to include major names such as Bernhardt, Hooker, Lexington Home Brands, Stickley, Hekman, Hancock & Moore, Century, American Leather, Universal, Sherrill, Sam Moore, Theodore Alexander, Hickory White and others. Many of these brands represent the retailer’s focus on upper-middle to upper-end price points that combined a mix of domestic upholstery and imported along with some domestic case goods.

Alex Bernhardt Jr., president and chief executive officer of Bernhardt Furniture, said he had known Lias close to 20 years.

“Tom Lias was as fine a gentleman as I have ever met in the industry. I really loved the guy,” he told Home News Now. “He really loved the business, and he had such an effect on our business. We had tough conversations, you know, as customer and vendor type of relations and you are always going to have those things. But he always tried to find a win-win situation. Even when things were tough, he always had a positive outlook. I always felt that he was trying to get to a place that was good for both of us.”

He also described him as a leader who thought about where his business — and the business of his supplier — were headed, adding that he also was a big help in pointing out strengths and areas for improvement.

“You are going to hear these words from a lot of people — integrity, honesty — about him, but he also was very strategic about everything he talked about,” Bernhardt said. “He was always thinking a year down the road . He was never thinking about what was going to happen today. It was always about where is our business going? And where is your business going? But he was a real big fan of our brand, and he would come in and know exactly what we had done with branding over the past year and he would say ‘You did this really well. And I think you can work on X and you could build your brand if you did these things.’ He would never give suggestions that weren’t good. So I welcome the time that I got to spend with him — any time I did get to spend with him.”

Earlier in his career, Lias co-owned and was president of La-Z-Boy stores in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania. He also was a sales representative, general manager and vice president for several Michigan Ethan Allen stores and also was Michigan and Ohio marketing manager for the company.

Kevin O’Connor first worked with Lias at Ethan Allen during the early 1970s. He later would work with him as a vendor in his executive roles at Samson Marketing, which include the Legacy Classic | Modern, Universal and Craftmaster brands.  

“Tom and I were both at Ethan Allen earlier in our careers,” O’Connor told Home News Now. “He was a terrific guy and a real student of the business, someone who loved the business and who did very well with it.”

He later came to work with Lias during his tenure at Gorman’s, mostly through Universal, although Gorman’s also sells Craftmaster upholstery, according to its website.

“He was a guy that you could talk to about trends, styling and what was working and not working at retail,” O’Connor said. “He was always a straight shooter. If he had a problem, he would tell you. But he was always a gentleman. He was a terrific individual and a guy I respected a lot for his knowledge of the business.”

O’Connor said that he and Lias also shared a common admiration for Pat Norton, the legendary late chairman of La-Z-Boy and a former vice president of sales at Ethan Allen.

“We were both fans of Pat Norton, who was a mentor to a lot of us over the years, starting at Ethan Allen and later La-Z-Boy,” O’Connor said, adding, “We shared that Pat connection. I was very close to Pat who was my second father and a great friend.”

Of Lias, he said, they went separate ways after Ethan Allen, but that he reconnected with him as one of Gorman’s accounts.

“I would see Tom more at markets when I became involved with Universal at Samson Marketing,” O’Connor said. “I got to know him more at that point. He was a very good Universal customer and helped us move the company from being more commercial to where it is as one of the more stylized and leading brands that it is today. He will be missed.”

Alex Reeves, president of Craftmaster, said he knew Lias for 25 years, years that also included Reeve’s service in executive roles at Sam Moore, Precedent and Hickory Hill.

“He was a great man and a great merchant,” Reeves said. “He had a great eye for furniture design and quality and understood value.”

But like others, he also described him as a true gentleman, who always made plenty of time to spend at your showroom over the years to see and discuss new product.

“He would make you work for the business and earn it, and I really felt like I did that in my early years,” Reeves said, noting that it took some time to learn Lias’ preferences as a retailer. “And then, after I had known him for a while, I would take him right to the things that would be a value to him. I wouldn’t waste his time.

“He always saw where the value was and always made time to put what I was selling into his lineup,” Reeves added.

Phil Haney, president and chief executive officer at Lexington Home Brands, said he had known Lias for more than 20 years both professionally and personally.

“Tom is one of the finest people I have known with a loving commitment to his family and the company that he successfully managed, along with Bernie and John Moray and Jeff Roberts,” Haney shared in Lias’ obituary. “Tom was also a mentor to me and was happy to share his insights and observations about our industry and helped me better understand the supplier/customer relationship from a collaborative point of view. I will miss Tom greatly and send my deepest sympathy to his wife, Chris, their son David and their extended family.”

Jeremy Hoff, chief executive officer at Hooker Furnishings, said he too knew Lias for more than 20 years, and in roles ranging from his time as a sales rep earlier in his career to his executive roles at A.R.T. Furniture, Theodore Alexander and Hooker. Describing him as a gentleman who will be sorely missed, he said that over the many years, his working relationship with Lias evolved into a friendship.

Hoff also respected his dedication for the industry, from the effort and passion he devoted to the marketing side of the business to his level of integrity, intellect and honesty.

Hoff also recalled how sometimes tough negotiations would evolve into moments of levity and lightheartedness.

“He would give me a hard time, and I would say, ‘There’s no need for a drill sergeant in the furniture business.’ And then he would start laughing.”

Bernhardt, of Bernhardt Furniture, agreed that Lias could be tough, but said he was always fair.

“The conversations you have in the showroom about pricing and distribution and things like this are always somewhat tense,” he said. “But because I believed in him and believed in his integrity, I believed in trying to find a win-win situation for both of us. Our business at Gorman’s has always been important. … He always had the needs of his business and our business in mind, and he would try to find a solution.”

Neil McKenzie, director of product development at Hekman Furniture, said he knew Lias since the 1990s, when McKenzie was vice president of sales at Baker. He described him as gentleman and a role model.

“If you listened to him, you would learn a lot,” McKenzie said. “He might not be sitting there meaning to teach you something, but he was very detail oriented and always explained his thoughts and you learned a lot from that.”

And along with his good communications and mentoring skills came another positive trait: staying true to his word.

“If he said he was going to do something, he would do it,” McKenzie said. “It might not be right then, but he would do it. His word was gold. He always had a plan on the table for the next season and he was always good at communicating that plan and how you could fit into it.”

Perhaps most importantly, many in the industry will remember him for the way he interacted with them as a person and left them feeling after the meeting.

“Tom was a keen businessman, a thoughtful leader and most importantly, a good person and partner,” said Alex Shuford III, chief executive officer of the Rock House Farm brands that include Century, Hickory Chair, Maitland-Smith, Hancock & Moore and others. He said he knew Lias for about 17 years.

“ I remember as a young seller how he generously spent time with me helping to close the empathy gap between the retailer and the manufacturer,” Shuford added. “The industry has lost a gentleman and a merchant.”

“He had incredible empathy,” added Alex Bernhardt Jr. “And to me empathy is the greatest quality a human being can have. He just always put himself in other people’s shoes whether it was his employees, his vendors, his suppliers or his competitors. He had a great sense of empathy for all of us, and that is the most wonderful type of person to deal with — someone who can see a bigger perspective than their own perspective.”

According to his obituary, Tom Lias was a passionate golfer and bowler, “clinching his first perfect 300 game at the age of 18 years old.” He also received many honors including The Detroit News naming him as a Michiganian of the Year in 2022 for his “significant contributions to the nonprofit community.”

It went on to note his more than 12-year involvement on the Arc of Oakland County board of directors, including as president. As part of his service on that board, he was described as being instrumental in the rebranding of The Arc’s Forever Plan, which supports individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities after their parents or guardians can no longer take care of them.

“Tom is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Christine “Chris,” and his cherished son, David; brother Charles (Barb) Lias of Boardman, Ohio, Uncle Dock (Barb) Lias of Leesburg, Florida, and many much-loved brothers-in-law and sisters-in-laws and nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Charles Lias and Annette Hadley Lias,” the obituary continued. “Tom will be remembered as a loving husband, father, friend, visionary leader and compassionate advocate.”

A celebration of Tom’s life will be announced at a future date. Contributions may be made to The Arc of Oakland County (https://www.thearcoakland.org/) or the National Fragile X Foundation (https://fragilex.org/) in Tom’s memory.

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LOGAN, Utah — As part of a restructuring announced this week, Malouf Home has named Mark Thatcher president and Jesse Gibbs as head of business development and rep management.

Thatcher fills a role previously held by Eric Holmstead, who has been president since 2022. Before this he was national sales manager since 2019.

Holmstead will now serve as head of merchandising and global sourcing, addressing challenges on the sourcing side of the business, while also helping manage the development of new products.

“I’ve been working exclusively with our retail partners for the last 10 years, and my strong relationships and understanding of how to succeed in this space will influence the new products we’ll bring to market,” Holmstead said. “We’re already seeing the overwhelmingly positive response to our new mattresses. There are more big opportunities out there for our retail partners and for us, and I’ve already started working on them.”

Thatcher has been with the company as vice president, sales for the past two and a half years and before that was director, business development at case goods manufacturer Maven.

Before this he was director, online marketing and online marketing manager at Icon Health and Fitness for  more than 16 years.

As part of the restructuring, the company sales team has launched a new structure that classifies accounts by size, instead of by region.

“We needed to rethink the types of support we were offering our partners, so we can help maximize their business and offer them the right resources,” Thatcher said. “This new sales structure will create better partnerships with a higher impact for our retailers’ bottom

line.”

Jesse Gibbs has been with the company for just over eight years, previously serving as vice president, national sales, district sales manager and territory sales manager. Before joining Malouf, he was in product development and management roles at HRI Research for more than seven years.

In his new role, the company said that Gibbs is “working to provide more tools and resources for outside sales representatives, so they best serve the needs of retail partners, in addition to strategizing for tradeshows.”

CEO Sam Malouf said, “I believe we’re going to look back on this as a key moment for the company. We are returning to our entrepreneurial core, leveraging market shifts and focusing on our retail partners and customers. There’s a bright future ahead.”

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With more than two decades of experience in luxury furnishings, Sheeran brings a wealth of expertise in both hospitality and commercial sales, as well as a deep understanding of residential design and retail sales channels.

She most recently served as the VP of commercial and retail sales for luxury outdoor furnishings brand Brown Jordan, where she played a crucial role in establishing and leading the hospitality sales team and focused on product development, and implementing retail and commercial sales strategies, processes and policies.

Sheeran also spent 14 years at Janus et Cie, holding various roles including key account manager in hospitality where she contributed to building the hospitality sector with key industry brands, developed new partnerships, and created new vertical markets and products.

“As the commercial channel sales’ growth continues to be a key pillar within Arteriors’ multi-year, long-term strategic initiatives, the vision to create this executive role stemmed from our need to centralize all Arteriors Contract business activities under one leader,” said Terry Clayton, senior vice president, sales and marketing at Arteriors. “Aimee is the quintessential figurehead – stepping in with a breadth of knowledge all backed by client relations experience and trust she’s built over the past two decades in the industry.”

In this inaugural role, Sheeran will completely oversee all sales, project management, and client service activities related to Arteriors’ Hospitality and Contract Market Sectors. Her priority area of focus: Growing the commercial business and strengthening brand visibility in the hospitality and contract sectors.

“This role is an ideal next step in my career, as I’ve always been drawn to Arteriors due to its depth of product, variety of materials, and craftsmanship,” Sheeran said. “I look forward to bringing both my luxury product knowledge and passion for the industry to the company as well as support their goals of expanding their commercial offerings.”

Sheeran began her new role at Arteriors on June 3 and will be based in Chicago.

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MORGANTON, N.C. — John Jokinen, a co-founder and longtime executive with luxury furniture resource EJ Victor, is shifting from his day-to-day operational and leadership role with the company to focus more on strategy and direction as board chairman.

Over his 34 years with the company, which he founded in 1990 with Edward W. Phifer III and Joseph B. Manderson, he has served in executive level positions, including chief executive officer. In early 2021, he turned the CEO role over to former executive David Bennett, who served as president and CEO from March 2021 to June 2023. When Bennett left the company to pursue another opportunity last year, Richard Oliver assumed the role of chief executive officer.

Jokinen has remained involved in day-to-day operations, primarily as chief creative officer, while also continuing to serve as board chairman. While leaving behind the day-to-day operations, his role moving forward will continue to be board chairman.

“Over the span of 34 years, John’s visionary leadership has propelled EJ Victor into a powerhouse within the industry, renowned for its creation and manufacturing of American-made fine furnishings,” the company said in announcing Jokinen’s new focus at the company moving forward. “From its origins in 18th-century reproduction furniture, John’s guidance transformed EJ Victor into a forward-thinking manufacturer with a global distribution network. His astute focus on licensing opportunities fostered partnerships with leading brands across the home furnishings spectrum.”

Over time, the EJ Victor brand became synonymous with beautifully executed licensed and designer collections that included case goods and upholstery.

“An initial successful partnership with the Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island, for their Mansions Collection swiftly paved the way for further agreements in the traditional realm with Carol Hicks Bolton and Randal Tysinger,” the company continued. “These achievements subsequently expanded into additional partnerships with Kelly Wearstler, Allison Paladino, Kate Spade, Antonia and Alfredo Parades. Notably, the enduring collaboration with the esteemed lifestyle brand Ralph Lauren stands as a testament to John’s commitment to excellence.”

Under Richard Oliver’s leadership, the company said, a transition plan has been developed over the past year in collaboration with Jokinen and the board of directors.

It noted that “this plan seamlessly integrates John’s wealth of knowledge while charting a course for sustained growth across the brand’s operational portfolio. We remain steadfast in our commitment to leveraging both John and his son, John Hunter Jokinen for continued guidance and support in shaping the future of EJ Victor, in our valued relationships, sales efforts, product development and marketing endeavors.”

“We commend John for his unwavering passion and dedication to the EJ Victor family and his many partners in the furniture industry. As John embarks on this new chapter in his life, we will continue to leverage his counsel. We eagerly anticipate celebrating his invaluable contributions to the company and the Morganton community in the months to come.”

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L’ISLET, Quebec — On June 1, longtime Amisco Industries CEO Réjean Poitras turned over the leadership role to Luc Robitaille, who has been president and chief operating officer since spring 2022.

Poitras, who had been in the executive leadership role nearly 28 years, will remain on the company’s board of directors and act as a special adviser to the senior management team, according to a company post on LinkedIn. The post referred to this as the “culmination of a process that began more than two years ago, in anticipation of his retirement.”

Robitaille, who joined the company in April 2022, “will continue Amisco’s tradition of excellence and continue to grow the company to make it a key player in customizable furniture in North America,” the company said.

Founded in 1954, Amisco specializes in a line of dining and occasional furniture offered in custom options. In addition to more than a dozen metal finishes, it offers more than 75 fabric covers for chairs, bar stools and benches as well as a line of wood colors and finishes and a selection of tabletop materials, shapes and sizes.

Robitaille came to the company from Mercier Wood Flooring, where he was vice president of sales and marketing for just over three years. Before that, he was vice president of sales and marketing of fabric manufacturer Duvaltex and before that was vice president of marketing at hardwood flooring manufacturer Boa-Franc for about 12 and a half years.

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Jonathan Cowles, executive vice president, said Liberty is pleased to welcome Lanier to the company, which was co-founded by Lanier’s grandfather, Russell Jacks.

“Patrick’s deep-rooted connection to our company, combined with his extensive experience and proven track record in sales, makes him a natural fit for this role,” Cowles said. “He is not only a born salesman, but also a born leader. We are confident that under his leadership, our sales team will continue to thrive and achieve new milestones.”

After graduating college, Lanier began his career in the industry as a sales representative for the company. Lanier also has been a major account representative for Behold Home.

He reports to Jason Brian, chief executive officer.

“For more than a decade, Patrick demonstrated impressive sales acumen, expanding accounts in North and South Carolina,” the company said. “With generational ties to the company and an extensive background in the furniture industry, Patrick is poised to lead Liberty Furniture’s sales team to new heights.”

“I am honored and excited to take on the role of vice president of sales at Liberty Furniture,” Lanier said. “This company holds a special place in my heart, and I am committed to upholding its legacy while driving innovation and growth. I look forward to working with our talented sales team and leveraging our collective expertise to achieve new heights of success.”

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MOUNT LAUREL, N.J. —The Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) has announced its newly elected board of directors. They were recommended by the Nominating Committee and voted on by membership at the Annual Member Meeting on Tuesday, June 4, 2024, which was held during the JPMA Summit in Washington, D.C.

To be eligible to become a member of the JPMA board, an individual must be an employee of a member company that, at the time of election and throughout the board member’s tenure, is in good standing.

Regular member manufacturers make up most of the board, but one of the 13 seats may be occupied by a representative from an associate member.

Responsibilities of the board members include but are not limited to: sustaining JPMA’s mission and purpose; ensuring effective planning; monitoring and strengthening programs and services of JPMA; providing oversight of the JPMA budget and financial reporting; building a competent board; ensuring legal and ethical integrity; and enhancing JPMA’s public standing.

The newly elected officers, who will each serve a one-year term, are as follows:

Chair: Anna Early, Britax
Vice Chair: Walter Lehneis, aden+anais/Halo
Treasurer: Mark Zehfuss, Larktale

Rob Gardner, Joovy, will transition to the role of Immediate Past Chair.

The newly elected directors, who will each serve a three-year term, are as follows:

Dan DeSimone, Dorel Juvenile Products
Julia Lentini, Mockingbird
Sholeh Mirzai, Goldbug
Kerry Strzelecki, Graco/Newell Brands
Samuel Sykes, The Boppy Company

Continuing directors are as follows:

Vartan Chldrian, Munchkin
Eric Dahle, Evenflo
Ryan Radford, Amazon
Adam Segal, Storkcraft

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