WithIt, the women’s leadership development network serving the home and furnishings industries, has announced the recipients of the 2010 WOW Awards, an annual program that recognizes individuals and/or corporations contributing to the success and growth of the home and furnishings industries. Awards were presented Aug. 18 during WithIt’s annual education conference, Aug. 17-19 at the Renaissance Suites Hotel in Charlotte, NC.
Kathy Wall, president, The Media Matters Inc., earned the 2010 Mentoring Award, which acknowledges advocacy, development and/or promotion of women in a home and furnishings business.
F. Jay Reardon, president, Hickory Chair, was named recipient of the 2010 Education Award, which recognizes efforts to educate associates, retailers or consumers about the home and furnishings segments.
WithIt bestowed four Future Leader Awards this year, stated WithIt 2010 WOW Awards committee co-chairperson Dawn Brinson, vice president of marketing services for The Media Matters Inc.
The 2010 Future Leader Awards recipients are: Rene Crosby, senior account executive, Four Hands; Kristin Hawkins, new product development stage gate manager, Broyhill Furniture Industries, a subsidiary of Furniture Brands International; Vanessa Northrop, marketing director, City Furniture; and Kaci Prunty, retail marketing manager, Tempur-Pedic North America, LLC.
“In the midst of an extremely challenging business environment, each of these four individuals has accomplished great things,” Brinson explained during the WOW Awards ceremony.
“Each Future Leader Award recipient has pulled a company, and an industry, upward into the opportunities of the present. And each has pushed a business even further forward into possibilities of the future.” Catherine Frinier, principal and managing partner, Frinier Atelier, was named the 2010 President’s Award recipient.
“Most people say it’s hard work, preparation and luck that help you to succeed,” Frinier stated. “But I have found that getting closer to the best of the best is what helps me to proceed in preparation of my work.”
Mary Frye, president, Home Furnishings Independent Association, was honored with the 2010 Chairman’s Appreciation recipient during WOW Awards. “Mary has opened the doors and mentored many women in our industry,” said WithIt 2010 President Stephanie Lowder, owner and creative director, Rare Bird Creative.
Lastly, Julie Phillips, vice president and co-founder of the Phillips Collection, was presented with the 2010 Legacy Award. The honor recognizes Phillips’ professional achievements and signifi cant lifetime contributions to the home and furnishings industries.
“Julie is original, tenacious, sensitive to nuance and passionate about quality,” championed Mark Phillips, Julie Phillips’ husband and business partner, and awards presenter during the WOW ceremony. “She has won best showroom awards in every city she has worked, including High Point, Las Vegas, Dallas and Singapore.”
For more information about WithIt and the WOW Awards, visit www.withit.org.
WithIt, founded in 1997, is a women’s leadership development network serving the home and furnishings industries. WithIt’s fi rst annual National Membership day will take place Oct. 29 at various locations throughout the country