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WithIt names Elizabeth O'Brien president

Mary Frye appointed board chairman

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 21, 2009

Liz OBrien

GREENSBORO, N.C. — WithIt has named Elizabeth O'Brien, a Florida-based sales representative, as its president for 2009 to succeed Tiffany Mullis-Brittain, formerly of Vanguard Furniture.

Mary Frye, president of the Home Furnishings Independents Assn. and past WithIt board member, has been named board chairman.

WithIt, short for Women in the Home Industries Today, is an international organization dedicated to the support and development of female professionals in the industry. O'Brien, a multi-line rep for Star International, Ekornes, Creative Accents and Carter, and the new WithIt board have outlined plans to increase the group's service to its members, sponsors and the industry.

This year's focus will include professional development programs, particularly those offered at WithIt's annual Education Conference; increased regional and trade show networking events; access to the industry's top influencers as well as research data to drive future industry growth; improved online communications tools for members; an international outreach to grow membership abroad; and ongoing support for the organization's student mentoring and scholarship programs.

"With a powerful membership pool of talented and committed professionals, WithIt will utilize our positions, influence, and thought leadership experience to support the home industries in a challenging economic climate," said O'Brien.

Other members of the WithIt executive committee for 2009 are: board of governor's chairman, Kelly Peterson, group advertising director, Hearst Integrated Group; vice president/president elect, Jana Platina Phipps, owner, Home Couture Collective; vice president, Ann Hackney, creative director, Valdese Weavers; secretary, Debbie Beers, vice president of consumer insights, Furniture Brands International; and treasurer, Kira Staggers, manager of audit services, Grant Thornton.

Vice presidents and committee chairs are: financial development, Veronica London, American Leather; marketing, Mary Eitel, MKE Communications; media, Leslie Newby, Brand Communications; mentoring, Kim Reynolds, Oriental Weavers USA; education, Cathy Smith, DeLeo Textiles; networking, Christy DiFoggio, Genre Brand Communications; membership, Leslie Carothers, The Kaleidoscope Partnership; and scholarship/foundation, Rene Crosby, Four Hands.

Regional vice presidents serve two-year terms and are responsible for organizing events and opportunities for members in their areas. Representing their membership to the board are: in the Western region, Donna Favia, Aspenhome; Dallas/Southwest, Jill Robinson, Dallas Market Center; Florida, Heidi Higgins, Carl's Furniture; Metro/Northeast, Vicky Lederman, consultant; Chicago/Midwest, Erin Piotrowski, Leggett & Platt; Atlanta/Southeast, Heather Brown, Bluefish Home; and in the Virginias/Carolinas, Kathleen Holterman, French Heritage; and for a newly formed international post, Catherine Smoak, Jigsaw Solutions.

Named as at-large board members representing segments of the industry are: case goods/upholstery manufacturer, Beverly Kastel, Ekornes; showroom building, Karen Olsen, Merchandise Mart Properties Inc.; supplier, Libby Langdon, Libby Interiors; and retail, Deb Linkhorn, Morris Home Furnishings.

Established in 1997, WithIt has more than 400 members and provides educational and mentoring programs to benefit hundreds of participants and corporate sponsors annually. Each year, WithIt's WOW awards recognize exceptional women and men in the home industries.

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WithIt names O'Brien president, Frye chair

Jan 26, 2009

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