HFIA announced that HFIA members elected a new Board of Directors at the Annual Membership Meeting last month during an online webinar. “We’re finding new ways to use technology to make our organization more accessible, at zero expense, in an extremely convenient and easy to use format,” said HFIA President Mary Frye. In addition to the board election, a "State of the Association" report was presented.
“The feedback we’ve received from the online meetings has been very encouraging. We’re dialoging and interacting with our membership in real time. It’s much more effective than mailing ballots or in-person meetings,” Mary adds.
The board is comprised of retail furniture store operators, manufacturer’s representatives and industry consultants. “Our board is on the front lines of the furniture industry every day,” noted Mary. “They know exactly what keeps an independent retailer up at night. We continually ask ourselves, ‘What can we do for our members that they can't do better themselves?’ We rely on the board’s insight and oversight to develop a mix of services to save our members time and money.”
Board Chairman Steve Kidder will focus attention on communicating HFIA benefits, helping members match programs to their needs, and implementing those programs effectively in their organizations. The new board members will serve as directors through June 30, 2011. The slate was carefully selected from home furnishings professionals nationwide by a Nominating Committee, who also recommended board officers to oversee the programs and budget for HFIA.
With one of the lowest dues structures in the industry, HFIA membership provides exceptional value to members through bankcard processing, insurance, office supplies, computer services, email marketing, website solutions and many other benefits.
In addition to Kidder of Vermont Furniture Galleries, board officers include Sam Boeke of Henry Simon Furniture Co., Serena Cole of Duxiana, Tom McMinn of McMinn Furniture, Verona Mair of The Emporium, Stan Pickett of Quality Furniture and Appliance, and Julian Mutter of Doerr Furniture. Other board members are Bob Bolton of Ashley Furniture, Frank Brame of Carroll Furniture, Amy Castleberry of Castleberry’s Ethan Allen Home Interiors, Bradley Chesnick of Georgetown Manor Inc., Karen Craig – a manufacturer’s rep, David Davis of Provencal Home, Dale Dodd of Dodd Home Furnishings Inc., Lynn Harrison Dyer – a sales rep, Randy Greengus of Sun Furniture City, Glynn Irby of Irby’s Home Furnishings, David A. Jacobs of Bedford Furniture Galleries, and David Lively of The Lively Merchant.
To schedule an interview and learn how HFIA member services are transforming home furnishings businesses, contact Mary Frye at mary@hfia.com or call 800.942.(HOME) 4663.