WITHIT Names New Board Of Directors

Furniture World Magazine

Members of Women InThe Home Industries Today (WithIt) have selected the organization’s new board of directors to serve beginning October 1, 2003. Jackie Hirschhaut (AFMA) has been named WithIt President, succeeding Karen McNeill-Harris (McNeill Communications Group), who assumes the role of Board Chairman. “The new Board takes on the leadership of WithIt at a very exciting and promising time for the organization,” says Jackie Hirschhaut. “Our members have accomplished so much and still have so many opportunities to grow that we all can’t help but be inspired to be a part of the exhilaration that awaits us in the coming year,” she continued, pointing to the group’s dedication to networking opportunities, educational initiatives and mentoring programs. Other members of the WithIt Executive Committee are: Vice President/President Elect – Robin Campbell (Stanley Furniture Company, Inc.); Secretary – Kelly Peterson (House Beautiful/Hearst Group); and Treasurer – Darlene Leonard (BDO Seidman, LLP). Executive Committee members serve a one-year term. WithIt’s new Vice Presidents / Committee Chairs, serve for one year. New Vice President/ Committe Chairs are: Marketing: Stephanie Lowder (Graphic Solutions, Inc.) Membership: Deborah Klein (Inside Designer, Inc.) Mentoring: Sev Ritchie (FurnitureFan) Education: Kathy Wall (The Media Matters) Networking: Elaine Sollar Eisen (P.D. Design Studio, Ltd.) Scholarship: Carolyn Gomez (Mastercraft Interiors) Regional Vice Presidents serve two-year terms and are responsible for organizing events and opportunities for members in their geographic area. They also represent their membership to the Board. The regional Vice Presidents are: Atlanta: Heather Paper (Heather J. Paper Consultants) Chicago: Julie Smith (FurnitureStyle Magazine) Dallas: Lynn Gerber Jenkins (Independent) Florida: Marjorie Gilbert (Impact International) Los Angeles: Judy Anderson-Embury (West Coast Home Fashions) New York: Carolyn Starry (Etiquette and Protocol Consultant) San Francisco: Linda Carey (Ruddell & Associates) Virginias/Carolinas: Kathe Holterman (French Heritage) WithIt has also named several At-Large Board members, representing various areas of the home furnishings industry. Board Members are: Sales Representative: Barbara Jenkins (Kincaid Furniture) Retailer: Dianne Ray (Garden City Furniture) Casegoods Manufacturer: Tiffany Mullis (Vanguard Furniture) Accessories Manufacturer: Carolyn Kinder (Carolyn Kinder, Inc.) Upholstery Manufacturer: Carrie Bleile (Flexsteel Industries, Inc.) Supplier/Fabrics: Maureen Owen (MicroFibres, Inc.) Showrooms/Buildings: Ann Richards (MMPI) The Board members were chosen on the basis of leadership qualities, contributions to WithIt, field of expertise and commitment to Board responsibilities. Their first meeting will be held during the October International Home Furnishings Market in High Point. The Board will have a business retreat in early November to prepare for upcoming events and initiatives. WithIt, founded in 1997, encourages and develops leadership, mentoring, education and career opportunities for women in the home furnishings industry.