Charles B Costar Honored By Reps Association IHFRA

Furniture World News

Long-time IHFRA member Charles B Costar was recently honored at the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association’s 2007 Presidential Gala in High Point NC. IHFRA’s newly inaugurated 69th President Richard E Gillispie made the surprise announcement that the Dean of IHFRA Award had been renamed to the Charles B Costar Dean of IHFRA Award in recognition of Charles’ dedicated service and loyalty to the Association. Charles served as Master of Ceremonies at the Presidential Gala. Charles Costar joined the Florida HFRA in 1970 and became an IHFRA member in 1971. He was an active member in the Florida Chapter going through the chairs and serving as President of the Chapter in 1984 – 1985. His service to IHFRA continued and Charles went through the IHFRA chairs to become President of IHFRA in 1994. His later awards from IHFRA include the Distinguished Service Award in 1999 and the Dean of IHFRA in 2001. Early on Charles recognized the need for quality education for representatives. He received his CHR (Certified Home Furnishings Representative) designation in 1989 and chaired the CHR Committee for one year while on the Executive Committee of IHFRA. Charles Costar was one of the original organizers for IHFRA’s March on Washington in the 1990’s and participated in every March on Washington. Charles’ brother-in-law, Congressman Clay Shaw, was an advocate for IHFRA on the Hill and championed many of IHFRA’s causes when they made their presence and concerns known to Congress through these Marches on Washington. Charles represented American of Martinsville for 12 years and later joined Hooker Furniture in 1982 where he represented Hooker in the Florida territory. His retirement is planned for May 2007.