Executives
Cotton Inc.
New York — Kathryn Novakovic has been promoted to the new post of director of fashion marketing at trade group Cotton Inc.
She will oversee all fashion marketing, including trend, color, fabric and style forecasting for home and apparel, and The Cottonworks Fabric Library.
Novakovic, who joined Cotton Inc. in 1996, has worked at Polo Ralph Lauren and Malden Mills. She previously was director of Cotton Inc.'s fabric library. She continues to report to Paula Rosario, senior executive, retail and fashion marketing.
Directors
IFSA
High Point — The International Furniture Suppliers Assn., formerly the International Wholesale Furniture Assn., has elected officers for 2003–2004.
Gary Chase, co-owner of G.P.S. Furniture International and president of FurnitureFan.com, was elected president. He succeeds Bruce Minkoff, vice president of Woodson & Bozeman, who becomes chairman of the board.
Other officers elected are Don Mecke, Standard Furniture, executive vice president; David Kuluva, Mittleman Furniture, first vice president; and Ron Paddock, R&T Furniture, secretary/treasurer.
Board members include Joe Blazar, Leggett & Platt; Chuck Hanshaw, Huntington Wholesale Furniture; Ed Marshall, Orleans Furniture; and Evan Ritchie, Emerald Home Furnishings.
Serving as advisers to the president are T.J. Dobbins, F.A. Hulett & Son, and Jim Harwell, Harwell Distributing.
Retirement
La-Z-Boy
Monroe, Mich. — Larry A. Woolace, vice president of manufacturing, retired May 1.
As vice president of manufacturing, Woolace was responsible for the overall operations at the eight La-Z-Boy plants nationwide, as well as the company's entire industrial engineering staff.
He began his career with La-Z-Boy at the company's headquarters in Monroe in 1969 as a ten-spindle operator. A year later, he transferred to Neosho, Mo., where he worked as a time-study analyst. In 1978, he was promoted to superintendent at the company's plant in Tremonton, Utah. Eight years later, he returned to the company headquarters and served as director of manufacturing services for six years. In 1994, he was named vice president of the La-Z-Boy West facility, followed by his last position as vice president of manufacturing.
Sales
Hickory Hill
Valdese, N.C. — Upholstery manufacturer Hickory Hill Furniture has recognized outstanding sales representatives for 2002.
Richard Meadors was named Sales Representative of the Year. He covers the North and South Carolina territory. James Brockway was named Rookie of the Year. He covers North Texas.
President's Club recipients were Larry Levine of Ohio, who received the Innovation award; David DeMatteis of Virginia, who received the Integrity award and Dean Berthod of New York, who received the Service award.
J.L. deBall America
High Point — Anne-Elizabeth Lowder has joined J.L. deBall America as the southeastern sales representative. She reports to Peter Price, vice president of sales and marketing of the company's home furnishings division. She replaces Merrel Wilkenfeld, who has left the company to pursue other interests.
Lowder previously represented Covington Fabrics in the Southeast.
