Chris DeLisa elected as IHFRA's 75th president

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, March 20, 2013

Chris Delisa

HIGH POINT — Chris DeLisa, who has had a diverse industry career in retail, sales and logistics, has been elected the 75th president of the International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn.

He started in the furniture business in 1992 at his family's store, MSO Furniture, one of the largest independent retailers in New Jersey.

He left retail to become a manufacturer's representative in 2005 with Standard Furniture/Kathy Ireland and Albany Upholstery. He later was vice president of sales for Home Line Furniture Inds. from 2007 through 2010, and made the jump to logistics late in 2010 when he joined Cory 1st Choice Home Delivery as vice president of sales. Currently, DeLisa heads the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut territory for Universal Furniture.

He was president of the Greater New York Home Furnishings Assn. in 2009 and 2010 and also served on the board for the Metropolitan Furnishings Assn. of New Jersey in 2010.

He received the E. Louis Billington Sr. Memorial Salesman of the Year Award for industry service in 2009, the Meadoff Memorial Award for Sportsmanship in the Industry in 2010 and the Charles B. Costar Dean of IHFRA Award in 2010. He also serves as a High Point Market Rep Ambassador.

Other IHFRA officers elected for 2013-2014 are Matthew Keepers, at-large member, first vice president; Frank Lorenzo, Florida Home Furnishings Representatives Assn., second vice president; Geoff Weed, Midwest Furniture Club, secretary/treasurer; and Mike Root, at-large member, chairman.

The executive committee will be sworn in at the IHFRA Presidential Gala on Friday, April 19, in the International Home Furnishings Center ballroom in High Point. For more information, contact IHFRA at (336) 889-3920 or e-mail ihfra@ihfra.org. Reservations can be made online at www.ihfra.org.