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IHFRA to install officers, present awards at gala

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 18, 2007

High Point — Richard Gillispie will be installed as the 69th president of the International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn. at a gala here on Saturday, March 24.

Other officers also will start their terms at the annual Presidential Gala and Awards Ceremony in the International Home Furnishings Center Club.

Gillispie, a member of the Virginia/Carolinas Home Furnishings Representatives Assn., has been a Hooker rep for 22 years. Other new officers include Jim Craven, a member of the Tennessee Furniture Travelers, first vice president; Ed Myers, Tri-State Home Furnishings Assn., second vice president; Sandy Dant, Home Furnishings Representatives Guild of Southern California, secretary/treasurer; and Ray Isser, Tri-State Home Furnishings Assn., chairman.

IHFRA also will present the Rudy Steltemeier Award for 2007 to Hope Antonoff of the Tri-State Home Furnishings Assn. The award is presented to an IHFRA member for outstanding service to fellow reps, exemplified by the late Rudy Steltemeier.

Beginning her career in the office of Mid-Atlantic Furniture Distributors, Antonoff later went on the road for the company. She has been a staunch supporter of the Tri-State association, encouraging her dealers to join the chapter and participate in its events.

Antonoff was voted Representative of the Year by Tri-State HFA in 2006 by her peers, dealers and other members.

Chapter of the Year Award will be presented to the Tri-State HFA. The group and its predecessor, the HFA of Delaware Valley, have supported IHFRA and have a high percentage of Certified Homefurnishing Representatives in its ranks.

IHFRA members attending the Las Vegas Market benefited from Tri-State's Ed Myers work in negotiating group rates at the Monte Carlo Hotel. Chapter Administrator Cathy Reed long has been an IHFRA asset.

The Dean of IHFRA Award recognizes service and dedication to IHFRA and the winner's individual chapter. Recipients for 2007 are: Milton Alexander, Alabama Furniture Travelers; Dick Brown, Tri-State HFA; Russell Bienenstock, Greater New York HFA; Jim Craven, Tennessee Furniture Travelers; Sandy Dant, Southern California; Ralph Deutsch, Virginia/Carolinas HFRA; Jay Hogg, Greater Midwest HFA; Carey Laufer, Florida HFRA; Gary Musengo, Southwest Ohio HFRA; Howard Salpeter, Maryland/DC HFRA; Russell Smith, West Virginia HFSA; and Stan Tremewan, HFRA of Northern California.

Also, graduates of the August CHR course in Las Vegas will receive certificates and pins. They are Jennifer Talton, IHFRA's membership coordinator, Terry Luke, Lenny Kharitonov, Jon Kelley, Louis Bocanegra and Blake Button.

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