Julian Doerr Mutter, President of Doerr Furniture Elected President HFIA

Furniture World Magazine

HFIA, the organization that serves the independent home furnishings professional, names its new Chairman and board for 2007-2009. Julian Doerr Mutter, President of Doerr Furniture in New Orleans, succeeds outgoing Chairman Bill Castleberry of Castleberry’s Ethan Allen Home Interiors. Doerr Mutter will lead a re-energized HFIA with its new name, Home Furnishings Independents Association, and continued commitment to members. He and his board will address members’ strategic needs through an expanded list of services. According to Doerr Mutter, “When we use the term ‘independent,’ we’re talking about the decision-maker, the business owner, and the action-taker – the player/coach, so to speak. The independents in our industry can join HFIA and find services expressly designed to serve their businesses. And when they partner with the new HFIA, they have the opportunity to directly influence not only the Association but the industry, too.” Other members of the HFIA executive committee are: Communication Committee Chairman Serena Cole, Duxiana; Program Development Committee Chairman Steve Kidder, Vermont Furniture Galleries; Member Recruitment Chairman Tom McMinn, McMinn Furniture; PR Committee Chairman Verona Mair, The Emporium; Secretary/Treasurer Stan Pickett, Quality Furniture and Appliance; and Annual Meeting Chairman Bill Castleberry, Castleberry’s Ethan Allen. Serving with the Board officers are board members Sam Boeke, Henry Simon Furniture Co.; Bob Bolton, Ashley HomeStore; Karen Craig, Manufacturers’ Representative; Dale Dodd, Dodd Home Furnishings; Lynn Harrison Dyer, Sales Representative; Robert Gilbreth, FurnitureKidz Gifts & Accessories; David Lively, R & A Marketing; and Dick Winter, Winter Furniture Co. Doerr Mutter concludes, “HFIA is a stable, reliable organization with 84 years of experience, but we also have a fresh, inventive, and original vision for the future success of its members.” HFIA was founded in 1923 as a Texas state organization, serving the needs of owners of independent, family owned retail furniture stores. While national in scope now, the Association continues to focus on the needs of independent business owners and the vendors and representatives who sell to them. HFIA’s office is located in the World Trade Center, 2050 Stemmons Fwy, Ste. 170, Dallas, TX, phone 800.942.HOME(4663), or www.hfia.com.