Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library Adds Four To Board

Furniture World Magazine

Mr. J. Thomas Gooding, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library announced that four new directors have been added to the Board. “We are pleased to have four outstanding leaders join the Board; Mark Estepp, Tim McGee, Amy Kyle and Naaman Wei. Each of these are well respected for their contributions to the home furnishings industry and we are fortunate to have their participation, insights, and vision for the future of the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library”. Dr. J. Mark Estepp of Appalachian State University. Dr. Estepp is Professor and Dean of the College of Fine and Applied Arts at Appalachian State University. One of the eight departments within the College of Fine and Applied Arts is the Technology Department, which is responsible for the Furniture Design and Interior Design Programs. “ASU has produced a significant number of leaders in the furniture industry and Mark Estepp is regularly in touch with his furniture alumni to understand their needs in our ever-changing industry. In that regard, ASU, under Estepp’s leadership, is looking at enhancing their Furniture Design curriculum with an ever greater emphasis on design and product development”. Mr. Tim McGee is Vice-President of Leasing for Showplace, as well as, overseeing the leasing efforts of showroom facilities at 200 Hamilton, 320 Hamilton, 330 Hamilton and 110 South Main Street (the future Showplace West). Amy Kyle is the publisher of Home Furnishings Business Magazine, the business and strategy magazine for furniture retailers. She is a native of High Point and graduated with a BS in Business Administration from High Point University and a MBA from Wake Forest University. Mr. Naaman Wei is the comptroller of Huntington Furniture Industries. Huntington Furniture is a two-year-old company, first entering the market as a case goods manufacturer. At the upcoming October Market Huntington will be introducing their first upholstered furniture. Naaman previously lived in Houston, Texas where he was comptroller of Huntington’s Lamp Division. He is married and has two children. The Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library, located at 1009 North Main Street, is a research resource for furniture manufacturers, furniture designers, interior designers, students, and to anyone interested in the history of furniture. The Library was founded by FURNITURE WORLD Magazine and it's publisher Nathan "Sandy" Bienenstock, publisher. The Library is a non-profit educational foundation and houses one of the most comprehensive collections of volumes on the history of furniture. The collection encompasses significant volumes published since 1640 and includes a complete collection of original works of 18th century furniture masters Chippendale, Sheraton and Hepplewhite. The Library also has current publications for sale to the public. In addition to the research collection and the sale of publications, the Library’s scholarship program has provided over $190,000.00 in grants to students studying pursuing degrees in furniture related programs.