People
Staff -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 1/1/2001
Waterford Wedgwood PLC, the luxury brand group that owns the Waterford, Wedgwood, Rosenthal, and All-Clad brands, appointed Tony O'Reilly Jr. deputy chief executive of Wedgwood. O'Reilly has been a non-executive main board director of Waterford Wedgwood since 1998. He is a member of the Group Task Force which has advised the Rosenthal business over the last two years. Since 1996, he has been chief executive of Arcon PLC, where he became non-executive chairman when he took up his Wedgwood role.
James Rolnik is the new owner of Reo Company, San Francisco. Rolnik has been an entrepreneur since 1978. Debi Nadler was named national sales manager for the company. Her background includes jewelry retailing and financing. Reo, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2000, manufactures and distributes sterling silver gifts.
Warner Bros. Consumer Products (WBCP) named Karen Miller vice president of property acquisitions. In her new role, Miller creates detailed analyses of children's books, television shows, and video games to determine their potential for brand development. She also is responsible for reviewing or acquiring options for animation properties and for acquisition and development of publishing, television, interactive, and film properties that have product development potential. Miller has been with Warner Bros. for 13 years, as part of Miller-Boyett-Warren Productions.
Socially Yours LLC, Bakersfield, CA, promoted Brandon Kennedy to general manager. He joined the company five years ago as warehouse supervisor, and became operations manager in 1998. In his new position, Kennedy is responsible for everyday operations, coordination of trade shows and showrooms, and management of the company's network of sales representatives.
Collectibles manufacturer Harmony Kingdom, Columbus, OH, appointed Nicholas Dangar president and CEO of Harmony Kingdom worldwide. Dangar has been general manager of Harmony International Ltd., Harmony Kingdom's international marketing branch outside the Americas, for four years. Prior to Joining Harmony Kingdom, he co-founded The Hazelbury House Collection Ltd.
The Herend Guild, a club for Herend porcelain collectors, appointed Eden Butler guild manager. Butler will manage the day-to-day activities of the Herend Guild, write and edit articles for White Gold, the guild's quarterly magazine, act as liaison between the guild, retailers, and customers, and interface with Herend management in Hungary on behalf of the guild membership. Previously, Butler was a copywriter and graphic artist with the Wolf Trap Fdn.
Oneida Ltd., of Oneida, NY, announced that Glenn Simon is assuming senior management responsibilities for the National Accounts Division. His principal focus will be to increase sales of Oneida's existing tabletop products. Oneida's four National Accounts regional managers will now report to Simon, who will continue as president of the company's Sakura Inc. operations, headquartered at 41 Madison Ave., New York.
Palecek, the Richmond, VA-based designer of crafted accessories and furniture, appointed Del Leutbecher national sales manager. Leutbecher was formerly a sales manager and owner of his own gift company. He will oversee Palecek's efforts in showrooms, tradeshows, and managing the company's sales representatives.
Display Technologies, College Point, NY, designer and manufacturer of retail point-of-purchase displays, named Kellie Hodgson national account manager. She will create and oversee P.O.P. programs, producing new displays and customizing the firm's TechStoc line of pre-tooled merchandisers. Hodgson most recently served as account manager for Gage In-Store Marketing.
Tim Horvath was appointed national sales manager for The Hadley Collection, the giftware division of The Hadley Companies of Bloomington, MN. His primary responsibility will be overseeing all sales operations.
Candle Corp. of America added several new members to its management team. Pam Terry, most recently with Bath & Body Works, joined Candle Corp. as vice president of marketing and product development. Chris Collins was named vice president of sales. He served most recently as corporate vice president of sales for Russ Berrie and Co. Charlie Leichtweis, who was appointed vice president, controller, was most recently with Process Solutions Inc.
The Essex Collection, of Gloucester, MA, appointed Kate Williams design and product development director. Williams received a B.A. from Skidmore College, and the Certificate of Beaux Artes from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts. Many of her licensed designs are already available.
The John Richard Co., of Greenwood, MS, promoted Debbie Roberts to national sales manager for the Sutton Collection and contract sales. She was previously customer service manager.
