Dale Silverman To Retire As Head Of AWFS

Furniture World Magazine

After 14 years of association growth and industry leadership, Dale Silverman, CAE, SPHR, executive vice president of the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS®) has set the date of her impending retirement as February 9, 2008. Skip Hem, Royal Plywood vice president, composite panel division and AWFS president, announced on behalf of the AWFS board of directors that Angelo Gangone, AWFS vice president of trade shows has been formally selected to replace Silverman as AWFS executive vice president. This important announcement was made to leaders and delegates at the annual Woodworking Industry Conference (WIC) in Saint Petersburg, Florida, April 26, 2007. During Silverman’s tenure AWFS has experienced remarkable growth in association membership, prestige and biennial Fair attendance. Silverman has worked to provide the vision that has allowed AWFS to reinvent itself, emerging from an organization that was locally driven and regionally oriented to one that is internationally known and respected for its dedication to strengthening the woodworking and home furnishings supply industry. “Dale has guided our association and industry with experience and insight for more than a decade. As our industry has faced difficulties and successes AWFS has provided a common direction and proactive advocacy. We look forward to what is to come and are thankful for Dale’s hard work that has helped us get to where we are today,” said Skip Hem. Silverman’s professional career spans 30 years serving much of that time directing associations and not-for-profit entities. Prior to becoming the executive vice president of AWFS in 1994, Silverman was the executive director of the Professional in Human Resources Association (PIHRA). Silverman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from UCLA. She also holds several professional accreditations that include Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) and Certified Association Professional (CAE). Gangone is uniquely experienced and equipped to lead the association. He has overseen the major transition of the biennial AWFS Fair from Anaheim, Calif. to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2005. Under his leadership 2007 attendee pre-registration and exhibit space sales are tracking nearly 20% ahead of the 2005 Fair which boasted a 20% increase over the previous year. Sponsorship sales and pre-registration are tracking at record levels. International attendance increased 134% in 2005 and pre-registration suggests a similar triple digit increase in 2007. Gangone has served as vice president of Tradeshows for AWFS since July of 2003 and previously served on the AWFS Tradeshow Committee and Board of Directors. Gangone received his Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management from Youngstown State University in 1987 and earned an MBA from Kent State University in 1991. Prior to his current AWFS role, Gangone spent 11 years in the woodworking industry with SCM Group, USA. He established the marketing division for the company in 1992 and served as the company’s marketing and advertising manager through May of 1997. He then became the business manager, responsible for sales of the company’s Standard machinery line. “Major woodworking and home furnishings supply companies continue to look to AWFS for industry leadership and education as they are confronted with complicated market and trade issues. Angelo will continue to provide this important industry leadership throughout all the facets of AWFS continuing growth. Under his creative leadership the biennial Fair has reached a new level of industry importance. The AWFS Fair has become an industry leader for innovation and technology. We are excited for Angelo to continue his creativity and enthusiasm as AWFS enters a highly anticipated era of association expansion and industry leadership,” said Joan Kemp, AWFS vice president & West Coast Regional Manager for CP Adhesives, Inc. Founded in 1911, AWFS is the largest national trade association in the United States representing companies that supply the home and commercial furnishings industry. AWFS has an international membership that includes manufacturers and distributors of machinery, hardware, lumber, upholstery, materials, bedding and other supplies to furniture, cabinet manufacturers and custom woodworkers. The AWFS®Fair is a biennial event in which buyers and manufacturers gather from around the world to buy and sell the latest products and services related to the wood and home furnishings markets. AWFS®Vegas, is a winner of the 2006 Tradeshow Week Fastest 50 award. In 2005, the Fair was also promoted nine spots – from 51 to 42 – making it into the top 50 of the Tradeshow Week 200. For more information about AWFS, visit their website at www.awfs.org or www.awfsfair.org.