LHFR Awards Banquet Honors Home Furniture, Randy Paul and Anthony E. Rihner, CHR

Furniture World Magazine

With all the excitement of a Hollywood premiere (well, almost all the excitement), members and guests of Louisiana Home Furnishings Representative (LHFR) assembled at Chef John Folse's Whiteoak Plantation in Baton Rouge, LA, on Friday November 13, 1998 for the Association's 6th Annual Awards & Installation Banquet. Guest speaker for the event was Dr. William Boothe, Dean of the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association's (IHFRA) Certified Homefurnishings Representative (CHR) program. Named Buyer of the Year, was Randy Paul of Home Furniture, Lafayette, LA. Paul had been nominated for the honor last year. The other nominees were: Steve Terrell, of Ivan Smith Furniture in Shreveport, LA, and Tom Olinde of Olinde's Furniture in Baton Rouge, LA. The Retailer of the Year was Home Furniture, Lafayette, LA. Also nominated was Brakenridge Furniture of Ferriday, LA, represented by Charles Brakenridge, and New York Furniture of Shreveport, LA, represented by Carl Escude'. This was the third time in as many years that the Buyer of the Year was from the store that was named Retailer of the Year. Named Representative of the Year was Anthony E. Rihner, CHR. He represents Schnadig Furniture Corp. in LA, MS, AR, and Memphis, TN. Tony has been a member of LHFR for more than 30 years. He has served as the Association's president twice and has been an active member for many years. Votes for the Buyer and Retailer of the Year were solicited from representative members of LHFR. Only Associate Dealer Members were eligible to vote for Representative of the Year. Installed at the banquet were the new officers and directors of LHFR. The new Executive Committee consists of: President - Steve Patton; First Vice President - Stuart Fortner; Second Vice President - David McCloskey; Secretary/ Treasurer - Laura S. Pitre, CHR; and Chairman of the Board - Tom Fry, CHR. The directors are: P.J. Bertin, Jr.; Bill Feldman, CHR; Doug Franklin, CHR; John T. "Tommy" Green; Gerald C. Kirchem, CHR; Ty Pizzolato, CHR; and Billy Pritchard. LHFR's Chapter Administrator is Gertie Feldman. For additional information please contact: Bill Feldman, CHR Feldman B@aol.com