People
Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 10/1/2000
Sue Scott was hired as manager of the Michigan Gift Mart, Northville, MI. She will oversee the administration and operations of the showroom building, in addition to running the Mart's regular shows. Most recently, Scott was with Ideation Inc., Ann Arbor, MI.
Martin's Inc., Sterling, VA, appointed Lisa Behe director of marketing. She was previously director of marketing for the Boyds Collection Ltd. In addition to developing marketing strategy for Martin's, importer and distributor of Herend porcelain and Present Tense pottery, Behe will be responsible for managing consumer, trade, and retail advertising, coordinating public relations, directing promotional events, and overseeing the development of new product lines.
The American Furniture Manufacturers Assn., High Point, NC, appointed Cindy D. Shaeffer director of media relations. Shaeffer comes from Home Accents Today magazine, where she was editor in chief for the past 3½ years. Prior to that, she held editorial positions at Furniture Today magazine, and has a total of 14 years experience covering various segments of the gift and home furnishings industries across the country. Married, with two children, Shaeffer has chosen a career closer to home to give her more time to spend with her family.
The National Tabletop and Giftware Assn. (NTGA), New York, appointed Tony DeMasi executive director. He will be responsible for managing business affairs, administrative, and financial functions of the association, as well as directing public relations activities, managing the Fine Tableware Guild, coordinating membership development efforts, and assisting in the planning and presentation of the annual NTGA conference. DeMasi comes to the NTGA from Giftware News magazine, where he served as editor-in-chief and co-publisher. The appointment of DeMasi follows the recent election of the new NTGA president and board of directors. Stan Krangel, president of Lenox, was elected president. Floyd Sullivan, senior vice president director of tabletop for Noritake, was elected the association's vice president. Past NTGA president Peter Kallet, Oneida Ltd., and vice president Anthony La Chapelle of Reed and Barton Silversmiths remain on the board of directors.
Meg Tully was named vice president of sales for Archipelago, the Los Angeles-based manufacturer of candles, candle accessories, and personal care products. Tully will be responsible for developing the retail side of the business, and managing the company's sales force. She was most recently with Taylor of London.
C.R. Gibson, Nashville, manufacturer of photo albums, stationery, paper tableware, and giftwrap, named Lori Quinn vice president of the C.R. Gibson brand group. She will manage the overall direction of the brand, which includes wedding and baby memory products, photo albums, journals, gift books, and kitchen collections. Since 1986, Quinn has been the director of marketing for C.R. Gibson.
Angie Novak was appointed president of the Invitation and Stationery Alliance (ISA), an Atlanta-based association of paper manufacturers. Founded in 1997, the ISA provides a network that encourages free exchange of trend and business forecasting, as well as other industry-related information. Novak is the director of marketing for ISA member Colors by Design, Van Nuys, CA.
Mix Inc., Kansas City, MO, named Debra A. Janssen its new CEO. Janssen will be responsible for the overall leadership and management of MIX Inc., including financial accountability, marketing, sales, technology, human resources, and administration for the company's online b-to-b marketplace, ebizmix.com. Prior to joining Mix Inc., Janssen was president and CEO of eFunds Corp.
AMC Inc., Atlanta, appointed Neyna Brown vice president of marketing. She joined AmericasMart Atlanta in 1992, where served most recently as director of buyer relations and designed and developed national buyer relations programs.
Obituaries
Ed Horwich, past president of the Greeting Card Association, died recently. Horwich, a member of the GCA since 1964, served as president in 1979 and again in 1989. A lifetime achievement award was presented to Horwich at the 1996 annual convention for his contributions to the greeting card industry as a whole and the GCA in particular. Services were held at the Suburban Temple in River Forest, IL.
Joseph A. Romanell, former president and CEO of It's All Greek to Me, a division of Corvest Intl., Simi Valley, CA, died at the age of 53 after a five-month battle with cancer. Before joining Corvest, Romanell was with Bemrose Corp., where he was president and CEO of the Souvenir Group. He is survived by his wife, Sarah; two children, Anthony and Tina; two stepchildren, Gina and Natalie; and three grandchildren.
