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Howell, other officers take reins at WithIt

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, February 11, 2011

Howell HowellGREENSBORO, N.C. — Mary Leigh Howell, vice president of Greensboro-based RLF Communications, has taken the reins as 2011 president of WithIt, the women's leadership network for home and furnishings professionals.

She succeeds Stephanie Lowder, president and creative director of Rare Bird Creative, who is now chairman.

"It's an honor to lead an organization that has meant so much to me on a professional and personal level," said Howell. "WithIt's value to its membership and our industry is a constant, and the board will continue to develop compelling educational events and networking opportunities for home and furnishings leaders. In addition, we will improve and expand the organization's online presence by launching an enhanced website, a series of topical webinars and timely network-building tools."

The organization also announced its board members for 2011.

Serving on the executive committee, along with Howell and Lowder, are Liz O'Brien, sales representative for Ekornes, Star International and Carter Furniture, chairman of the board of governors; Julia Rosien, president, SocialNorth.com, vice president/ president-elect; Debbie Beers, vice president of consumer strategy, art and science hub, Furniture Brands International, vice president; and Kira Staggers, audit associate, Smith Leonard, treasurer.

Vice presidents and committee chairs are: marketing, Amanda Williams, public relations account supervisor, Wray Ward; media, Julie Smith Vincenti, president/ manager, Nine Muses Media; mentoring, Lorri Kelley, vice president of sales, western United States, Palliser; education, Cathy Smith, director of design and merchandising, De Leo Textiles; membership, Cindy Williams, vice president of sales, Info Retail; scholarship foundation, Violette Forman, general manager, Havertys Furniture.

Vice president at large officers, who serve as representatives of an industry niche include: millennial outreach, Amy Voelker, vice president of merchandising communications, FurnitureDealer.net; case goods/upholstery, Beverly Kastel, marketing manager, Ekornes; supplier, Libby Langdon, president, Libby Interiors Inc.; retail, Shelley Parlin, chief operating officer, Profit-systems.

Regional vice presidents are tasked with building membership and developing events within their geographic region. The 2011 officers are: New York Metro/Northeast, Jana Platina Phipps, owner, Home Couture Collective/Classical Elements; Florida, Alexia Rouquette, director of marketing and public relations, Twin Star International/Classic Flame; Virginias/Carolinas, Trisha Kemerly, president, WhipSmart Creative; Chicago/Midwest, Joan Franken, owner, Concepts & Designs; Dallas/Southwest, Cameron Cook, public relations manager, Four Hands; Las Vegas/West, Kassie Smith, president, Kassie Smith Lifestyle Group; International, Donna Bartlett, president, ViewIt Technologies.

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Mary Leigh Howell takes office as WithIt president

Jan 19, 2011

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