by High Point, N.C., JUNE 4, 2021 – High Point x Design is a pandemic success story. With a bold mission to reinvent High Point as a year-round hub of design and creativity, HPxD has grown from a loose brainstorming group to full-fledged movement with over 40 members in less than a year. Today marks a critical juncture in HPxD’s evolution, as the group announces an Executive Board and Constitution to support continued development and expansion.
A group of five elected officers and seven appointed officers collectively forms the HPxD Executive Board.
Executive Officers include Tom Van Dessel, President (Splashworks); Cass Key, Vice President (Woodbridge Furniture); Frank Leyon, Membership Director (Oly, Beacon Lighting); Stancil Wilson, Secretary (Stancil Creative Group); and Jack Hendrix, Treasurer (Hendrix Barney & Co.).
Appointed officers include Tom Verellen (Verellen) and John Muldoon (Cohab.Space), both At-Large Officers, as well as Kathy Devereux, Communications Officer (Devereux Marketing); Sharon Savage, Events Officer (Lancaster); Christen Wilson, Assistant Secretary (Stancil Creative Group) and Dudley Moore, Community & Industry Relations Officer (Otto & Moore). Announcement of the Designer Relations Officer is pending.
HPxD President and Splashworks owner Tom Van Dessel notes, “ HPxD has accomplished so much in a compressed time frame – and during a pandemic – with a lot of passion and elbow grease. We’ve operated like a start-up. More formal structure is needed to achieve the goal of opening High Point. With a Board and Constitution in place, it’s time to get to work in earnest.”
On that note, seven committees have been established in the first General Order of the HPxD Board. Working committees include, finance, strategy, events, communications, membership and jurisprudence, as well as a WOW team – demonstrating HPxD’s commitment to sound planning and an element of surprise.
“High Point x Design membership is varied and diverse, representing the best of High Point – and growing,” notes Cass Key, HPxD Vice-President and Woodbridge Furniture Creative Director. “High Point community support has been amazing – and tangible. The High Point Market Authority has been an advisor since day one. More recently, HPxD was selected as a 2021 DRIVE High Point Grant recipient. With membership, leadership and community all aligned, High Point x Design is on its way.”
ABOUT HPxD High Point x Design is a grassroots movement and professional organization with 501(c6) status in process. HPxD envisions High Point as a hub of design and creativity open year-round with two channels: Flagship locations open to all and trade-only showrooms. HPxD relies on guidance and collaboration with all organizations dedicated to a more vibrant High Point and design community.
