Richard Gillispie to receive IHFRA's highest honor

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 15, 2012

Richard Gillispie

HIGH POINT — Richard Gillispie, a longtime member and past president of the International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn., will receive the group's highest honor, the Harold P. Braun Distinguished Service Award.

IHFRA will present the award at the 18th annual Furniture Industry Awards Gala here April 23, during the High Point Market.

For 36 years, the Braun award has been given annually to a deserving sales representative who has distinguished himself or herself on behalf of IHFRA, and has enhanced, by deed and action, the image of home furnishings sales reps in the community and the industry, officials said.

Gillispie joined IHFRA and its Virginia/Carolinas Chapter in 1995, and has been active in the chapter and the local Piedmont Club, having served as president of each. He became involved on a national level and was IHFRA's 69th president in 2007. He continues to serve on the group's board.

He also has served on the High Point Market Authority board since 2005 and is one of the original Rep Ambassadors for the organization. He also served on the board of the National Home Furnishings Assn. from 2005 to 2010 as the liaison for IHFRA.

Gillispie began his career at Hooker Furniture in 1982, working part-time in the shipping department while attending college. He worked in the corporate office for seven years before becoming a sales rep in North Carolina in 1994. He became partners with George Dowdy in 1996 while representing Hooker in western North Carolina.

Gillispie has been with Hooker more than 25 years and received the company's James W. Roberts Award for outstanding service as a rep in 1998 and 2000.

For information on the Awards Gala, which will take place the evening of Monday, April 23, in the International Home Furnishings Center ballroom, contact the IHFRA office at (336) 889-3920 or e-mail ihfra@ihfra.org. Reservations can also be made online at www.ihfra.org.