National Furniture Bank Association Appoints Executive Director

Furniture World Magazine

The National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA), announced the appointment of Phil Van Poetsch to the position of executive director. The NFBA is the non-profit association of furniture banks. A furniture bank is a charitable organization which collects used home furnishings and provides them to people in need. Those served by furniture banks are women and children escaping domestic violence, families below the poverty line, victims of natural disasters, and others requiring emergency assistance. As executive director, Van Poetsch will be responsible for day to day operation of the NFBA, including financial administration, staffing and management, policy review and oversight, and services deployment. Tom Polk, chairman of the NFBA’s board of directors, says Van Poetsch is the perfect choice to fill the position. “When looking for an executive director of the NFBA,” Polk explained, “we realized the candidate would have to be an accomplished administrator with a unique set of skills. Phil meets those needs, and has also been a highly visible spokesperson for raising awareness of furniture banks.” As founder of New Start Furniture Fund, one of the nation's first furniture banks, he developed and implemented viable systems of furniture acquisition for distribution to people in need. His efforts resulted in two United States Congressional awards, and national coverage through an interview for People Magazine, an appearance on the Dr. Laura television program, and a feature segment on the Oprah show. “I am excited to undertake the challenges and responsibilities of the position,” said Van Poetsch. The NFBA is about to embark on a major consumer awareness campaign. “The board has tasked me with managing our growth.” Van Poetsch explained that the NFBA plans to increase the number of furniture banks in the nation by seeding operations in underserved areas. “No child in America should have to sleep on the floor.” About the National Furniture Bank Association (NFBA): The NFBA is the non-profit affiliation of furniture banks. The organization’s mission is to create comfortable home environments by providing furnishings to those in need. The furniture industry’s unified charitable effort to support furniture banks, Help 1 Up, is administered by the NFBA.