Tri-State HFA salutes Neff, Epperson
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, January 13, 2003
Ambler, Pa. — Jerry Epperson was honored as Tri-State Home Furnishings Assn. Person of the Year at the recent TSHFA meeting in Conshohocken, Pa.
Named to the Tri-State HFA Hall of Fame was Jerome J. Neff, who has been in the home furnishings industry for 55 years and active in the association for almost as long.
He has served the group in a number of capacities, including president and board chair.
Three member-chosen awards were also given.
The Congeniality Award was presented to Greg Gaglianone and Adam Covici of Doughty's Furniture in New Jersey. Other nominees were Greg Jaron and Bruce Magruder of Jaron's Furniture and Bill Leonard of Stevens Furniture. All are New Jersey retailers.
The Retailer of the Year award went to Bob DiGiacomo of Chain-Mar Furniture and Designers' Showcase of Norristown, Pa. Other nominees were Jerome Blom, Blom Bros., Vineland, N.J.; and Frank Gerardi Sr. of Johnny Janosik Inc., with stores in Laurel and Dover, Del.
Representative of the Year was Steve Gilbert, a multi-line sales representative based in Penn Valley, Pa. Also nominated were J.J. McLaughlin and Rich Silverman.
Committee-chosen honors also were given. The Unknown VIP Award went to Al Fitzpatrick, sales manager at Bellmawr Furniture. Brad Jaffe won the Young Representative Award. John Garber and Julie Sebastian of D&D Home Furnishings in Whitehall, Pa., received the Young Retailers Award. Mealey's Furniture won the Retail Display Award.
Presidential awards were presented to Thomas Smith, CHR, and Jerry Pauley, CHR, for their efforts in sales tax reform legislation in Pennsylvania. A tongue-in-cheek "Young Retailer" award was presented to 88-year-old Harry Kahn of Jonns Interiors.
