Market group picks a winner
Ray Allegrezza, Editor in Chief -- Furniture Today, April 2, 2006
After months of searching and speculation, the International Home Furnishings Market Authority finally let the cat out of the bag late last month when it named Brian Casey its new president.
My hat is off to Market Authority Chairman Paul Toms and to the entire group for keeping a tight lid on that news until they were ready to announce it. In a town where everyone knows everyone else, and often everyone's business, the news about Casey took almost everyone by surprise, including those often-cited but never-named people referred to as "industry insiders."
At the press conference that introduced Casey to us, it was clear from the faces in the room that he was a newcomer to just about everybody. I say "just about everybody" because I was pleasantly surprised to realize that I knew this "cat."
In a previous life, I had run a number of trade magazines devoted to the housewares industry. Brian, who has a tremendous background working with associations and trade shows, was a well-known and well-respected figure in that arena.
Knowing what I know about the man, I can tell you from firsthand experience that the Market Authority and state of North Carolina will be well served.
Having had the opportunity to work with Brian, I came to know him as a guy not afraid to get his hands dirty. And if he promised you something, he made good on that promise.
To its credit, the Market Authority took a hard look at over 30 candidates before deciding on Casey. Also to its credit, the authority had the wisdom to realize that furniture industry experience was secondary to other skills, including leadership, the ability to communicate, a strong understanding of marketing and a solid background in trade shows.
Based on those guidelines, Casey more than fits the bill.
We wish him well. He's taking on a very big job. I think he's got the vision and the moxie to be more than up to the task.
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Market group picks a winner
Apr 6, 2006
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