AWFS® Young Furniture Associates Elects New Board For 2004; Announces Plan For Two Plant Tours This Year

Furniture World News

The Young Furniture Associates (YFA), a chapter of the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS®) installed their incoming 2004 Governing Board members at the AWFS®/YFA Gala Installation and Dinner Dance held on February 7 at the Ritz-Carlton in Pasadena, California. Serving as 2004 officers are: Jacqueline Baptie of Alan Morgan Furniture as President; Juan Morales of Contract Resources as Vice President; Antonio Guevara of Good Companies as Secretary; Al Gonzales of Hanes Industries as Treasurer and Gene Valcke of Hanes Industries as Immediate Past President. Other individuals elected and installed to serve on the chapter board are Peter Bohenek of Rhythm Net Design Group, Kent Donnelly of G M Packaging, Inc., Gabrielle Gallardo of Elite Leather, Cyrus Nia of Lectra, Eric Riley of Freeman Decorating Company, and Gary Vega of Kemp Hardware & Supply Co. The AWFS® Board Liaison to YFA is Jon Sanchez of Hanes Industries. Gene Valcke of Hanes Industries was presented with The Richard M. Sax Award, given each year by YFA in recognition to a person in the industry who best exemplifies the qualities of leadership and industry service. This year President Jacqueline Baptie announces plans to add another plant tour to its event calendar: Freeman Decorating Company on June 1, and Sandberg Furniture on October 12. The plant tours provide a wonderful opportunity to network with other furniture suppliers and to gain inspiration from companies related to the industry. The Annual YFA City of Hope Fundraiser will be held October 9, and will be set in this year’s theme of “Hope Goes Hollywood.” YFA raises $60,000–80,000 annually for City of Hope through its dinner and silent auction of furniture, furnishings, weekend trips, and more. For information, or to donate an item for the silent auction, contact Susan Biris at AWFS®, susan@awfs.org. The YFA Golf Tournament held each spring will take place this year on May 10 at Green River Golf Club in Corona, California. YFA membership comprises a group of progressive, energetic young men and women employed by member companies of AWFS®, CFMA, ISPA, WI and others who work in the industry. YFA’s primary goal is to support the City of Hope through its annual fundraising event. Member benefits include networking, leadership development and opportunities to learn about many facets of the broad industry via tours, educational programs and social activities. The YFA Board provides leadership and dedicated effort by planning and organizing the highly successful events. For further information on the YFA, please contact the AWFS® office at (800) 946-AWFS, or visit the AWFS® web site at www.awfs.org. The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliersx (AWFSx) is the largest national trade association in the United States representing companies that supply the home and commercial furnishings industry. AWFSx owns and sponsors the successful AWFSxFair held biennially in Anaheim, California, along with Showtime-West, held each spring and fall in Los Angeles, California. For more information about AWFSx, call AWFSx at 800-946-AWFS or email to info@awfs.org.