SALT LAKE CITY-Patrick Byrne, Overstock.com’s chairman and CEO, has resumed his post after taking a medical leave.

Byrne, also the founder of the retail website, took his leave in February to be treated for cardiac issues thought to be associated with cancer treatments he had received years ago. Jonathan Johnson, former president of Overstock.com, was named acting CEO at that time.

Johnson has been nominated to stand for election to the Overstock board. If elected, Johnson will be appointed executive vice chairman.

ROSEMONT, Ill.–Urban Expositions has announced the exhibit sales team for the Windy City Gift Show, its new semi-annual exhibition that will debut here next January.

Led by Show Executive Director Marilyn Anderson-McGriff, the team will also include Show Director Stacey Barrett, who comes to Urban from Merchandise Mart Properties Inc.’s Chicago Market, and sales associate Lindsey Anderson. The team will report to Joan Ulrich, vice president of new business development for Urban Expositions.

Newell, W.Va.–Elizabeth McIlvain, a fourth-generation owner of the Homer Laughlin China Company, which makes Fiesta ware, was appointed president of the 142-year-old privately owned business. She will succeed her brother, Joseph Wells III, who worked at Homer Laughlin for 50 years.

In her new position, McIlvain will oversee all operations of the company’s retail and commercial divisions, as well as Hall China, which was acquired by Homer Laughlin in 2010.

CANNON FALLS, Minn.–Midwest-CBK has named Maria Williams senior director of sales. Williams, who spent three years at the company in the late 1990s as a regional account manager, is returning to Midwest-CBK in a newly created role.

HORSHAM, Pa.-Michael Duncan has been appointed president of Luigi Bormioli Corporation, succeeding Marcel Trepanier, who founded the U.S. subsidiary of the Italian glassmaker. Trepanier will remain on board as executive advisor.

Duncan, who previously served as vice president of the Stonehaven Group, will be responsible for all aspects of the company’s operations, with a strong focus on implementing strategic goals and growth plans, the company said.

DALLAS–Dallas Market Center has named Kevin Strawbridge executive vice president of marketing and technology. In his position, Strawbridge will be responsible for integrating marketing and technology efforts to best serve both buyers and sellers.

“Kevin is an experienced and acknowledged leader and we’re thrilled to welcome him to our team,” said Cindy Morris, chief operating officer, Dallas Market Center. “He will lead the marketing and technology strategy to further establish Dallas as a marketplace with cutting-edge digital resources.”

HIGH POINT, N.C.–Tom Loney, executive vice president of leasing for International Market Centers, is retiring after 28 years.

Richard Krapfel has been named director of leasing and Susan Beck has been named leasing manager. Both will be based in High Point and report to Julie Messner, vice president of business development – High Point.

WOODS CROSS, Utah–Candle Warmers Etc. has named former Hallmark associate home fragrance buyer Amanda Wrigley an account representative. Wrigley will also take on the position of brand manager for the candle manufacturer’s Jamie Clair candles, wax melts, and home fragrance oils.

LOS ANGELES-PHR L.A. Mart has named Frank Joens as its senior vice president and general manager.

Joens’ appointment marks his return to the trade-show building, where he began his career with MMPI, then the building’s owner, in 2001 as director of marketing. Two years later, he was promoted to director of leasing, and in 2007 was named vice president of leasing. In 2009, Joens became vice president of sales of the California Gift Show.

MANCHESTER-BY-THE-SEA, Mass.–Mariposa has named Adam Sigel vice president of sales and Laura Mackin marketing manager.

“I am very pleased to welcome these two accomplished individuals to the Mariposa leadership team,” said Livia Cowan, president and creative director. “Adam and Laura will serve as the perfect infusion of experience and new ideas to our already-innovative and eco-friendly gift and tabletop brand.”

NEW YORK-Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia (MSLO) has named Patricia DiPette senior vice president of licensing.

DiPette has assumed responsibility for developing and negotiating new domestic merchandising opportunities for MSLO. She reports to Ann Bukawyn, executive vice president of global licensing.

ATLANTA–Urban Expositions has appointed Chris Menefee to the executive sales team for its cash and carry division. In his new role, Menefee will work in tandem with Jim Walker on sales and operations for the company’s West Coast Christmas Cash & Carry Shows in Portland, San Francisco and Seattle, as well as the cash and carry divisions of the San Francisco International Gift Fair, Seattle Gift Show, California Gift Show and Portland Gift & Accessories Show.

TOLEDO, Ohio–Libbey has appointed Sherry Buck vice president, chief financial officer, effective Aug. 1.

Buck suceeds Richard Reynolds, who has been named to the new position of executive vice president, strategy program management. Buck comes to Libbey from Whirlpool Corporation where she has served as chief financial officer, global product and enterprise cost leadership since October 2010.  Before her current position, Buck was vice president finance US for Whirlpool Corporation from 2009 to September 2010.

BRENTWOOD, Tenn.–Industry veteran Terry Stewart has founded a consulting firm, TStewart Enterprises, offering companies expertise in sales focus, structure, organization and operations strategy, management and marketing. This comes after Stewart spent 10 years at CBK, now Midwest-CBK, most recently as executive vice president of sales, Midwest-CBK.

ATLANTA–David Zrike and Gary Darwin, formerly of The Zrike Company, have joined R Squared Sales and Logistics, a new company that will create and sell tabletop and housewares. The company will debut its tabletop collections at the Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market this week in Building 2 of AmericasMart on the ninth floor.

Licensed lines will include Disney, Bombay, Dena Designs, LuLu DK and several others that will be announced shortly, said Zrike, vice president of marketing and product development. Darwin serves as vice president, sales.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—John Kelly has been named sales manager for the General Gift division of the New York International Gift Fair, tasked with developing and executing sales strategies for the Fair’s largest division, which includes some 750 exhibitors. Reporting to Christian Falkenberg, NYIGF director and GLM vice president, Kelly succeeds Scott Kramer.

NEW YORK- Italian glass maker Bormioli Rocco has appointed Patrick Accorsi vice president of sales and marketing in North America. Accorsi, who started his position May 1, reports to Giancarlo Masini, business director, housewares unit, which is based in Italy.

Accorsi most recently served as vice president, sales  at knife maker Zwilling J.A. Henckels. He has also worked at Oxo, Shop at Home Network  and  QVC.

WASHINGTON D.C.-Whereoware, a provider of e-commerce, mobile development and online marketing services to the gift and home industry, has named Tara Dikos to the newly created post of vice president of sales. 

ATLANTA–AmericasMart Atlanta has appointed Mark Furlet senior vice president/leasing for Building One home category permanent showrooms, a newly created position.

Furlet joins AmericasMart from dual appointments at the Chicago Merchandise Mart, where he served as vice president in charge of all gift and home business, and at the L.A. Mart, where he held the position of vice president and general manager responsible for the L.A. Mart, the L.A. Mart Design Center and California Gift Show brands.

LOS ANGELES–California Market Center has appointed Gerry Seibel to the newly created position of vice president of new business development for the CMC’s Gift, Home Décor and Design division.

VENICE, Fla.-Insulated drinkware company Tervis has promoted Richard Kaplan to president, chief brand officer.

Board member Patrick Redmond was also recently named president and CEO.

Kaplan previously served as chief sales and marketing officer, and led the sales force, the direct-to-consumer channel (Tervis-owned stores and tervis.com), licensing and the marketing and product development teams. In his new position, he’ll continue to lead those areas while also playing a more substantial role in driving Tervis’ strategic direction, the company said.

ATLANTA-AmericasMart, looking to fuel its growth in the global trade show arena, has appointed Douglas Broward to the newly created office of AMC senior vice president/branding.

Broward is charged with creating and sustaining AmericasMart brand continuity across all shows, markets and business lines through all marketing communications channels and in the AmericasMart on-site brand presence.

Broward previously served as chief creative officer at Grizzard Advertising, which is part of the global advertising and marketing firm Omnicom Group.

LONDON-David Audrain, former president and CEO of Messe Frankfurt North America, has been named president and CEO of Clarion Events North America.

NEW YORK–Meyer Corporation has signed a multi-year lease for its Forty One Madison 3,000-plus square-foot showroom and has appointed veteran tabletop executive Helene Branisel director of sales for tabletop, a newly created position.
The move follows Meyer’s recent launch of Paula Deen and Rachael Ray tabletop collections.

MINNEAPOLIS–Sebastien Tavenas has joined Julia Knight Inc. as vice president of global sales, a newly created position.

Tavenas, who is trilingual, was most recently the executive director of the French Chamber of Commerce in Minneapolis. He also previously served as international sales director for the Richemont Group and has sales, marketing and branding experience with high-end companies such as Lancel and Cartier.

NEW YORK–Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ leading charitable organization, announced today that trailblazing architect and developer John C. Portman, Jr. will receive a special Legend for Life honor at the organization’s gala event to be held here on Jan. 29.

This award, which is being presented upon the 20th anniversary of Gift for Life, recognizes Portman’s more than five decades of entrepreneurship and service to the industry.

ATLANTA–Mary Sullivan Harper has been named to the newly created position of senior vice president of leasing for AmericasMart Atlanta’s Building Two permanent gift showrooms, following her more than 14 years’ gift franchise leadership. She reports to Dave Savula, executive vice president of leasing for buildings 1, 2, and 3, and 2 West Wing.

ATLANTA–JoAnn Miller-Marshall has been named executive vice president of AMC Tradeshows in an advancement bringing all AmericasMart home, gift and apparel and LIGHTFAIR International sales under her direction, according to Jeffrey L. Portman, Sr., president and chief operating officer of AmericasMart Atlanta and its AMC, Inc., parent entity.

NEW YORK–Tabletop company Prouna USA has named Pamela Burke vice president of sales and marketing.

Burke was most recently vice president of sales and marketing for tabletop company Michael Wainwright Inc. Burke has also worked as vice president of sales for Michael Aram and as a new business and product development specialist for Li & Fung Trading.

CHICAGO-Trade Associates Group has appointed Erica Friedman to direct and manage tag product development, working closely with the tag design and sourcing teams.

CHICAGO-Mark Falanga has been promoted to president of MMPI, succeeding Christopher Kennedy, who will step down July 23 from the post he has held for the past 11 years.

LOS ANGELES–Jeff Sampson, vice president of marketing for the L.A. Mart Design Center, has been designated to steward the branding of the California Gift Show.

NEW YORK–Yamazaki Tableware has appointed Raymond I. Basanta president, effective June 1. He succeeds Kazuhiro (Kasey) Yawata, who has served as Yamazaki president since its offices opened in 1981.

Basanta has worked for Yamazaki since 1994 as vice president for marketing and product development. A well-known figure in the international tabletop industry for more than 40 years, Basanta previously worked in sales, product management and marketing for Towle, Gorham, and Nachtmann USA.

NEW YORK–Su Hilty, vice president of marketing for 7 W New York, will retire in June.

Hilty joined the showroom building in 2004, after serving as vice president of marketing for the 225 Fifth Ave. showroom building. A statement from MMPI, 7 W New York’s owner, credited her with for playing a crucial role in establishing the building as a showroom location for vendors in the gift, home-furnishings, tabletop and textiles industries.

CHICAGO–Jamie Gragg has been appointed director of market suite sales for the Chicago Market at MMPI.

Gragg is responsible for leasing temporary booths at the market, and reports directly to Sara Dahlstrom, managing director of market suite sales.

Gragg joined MMPI in 2007 as leasing director of permanent showrooms in High Point. During her tenure, she has overseen daily leasing activity at other MMPI properties including Historic Market Square, Market Square Textile Tower, Hamilton Market, Furniture Plaza, Plaza Suites and the National Furniture Mart.

TOLEDO, Ohio–John Meier, chairman and chief executive officer of Libbey, announced today that he will retire at the end of this year.

The nominating and governance committee of Libbey’s board of directors, together with an “internationally recognized” executive search firm, will lead a comprehensive search process to determine Meier’s successor, with both internal and external candidates being considered, the company said.

MEDIA, Pa. ­—Derek Hubbard joins New View Gifts as director of national account sales. In his new post Hubbard will be responsible for National Account Sales and overseeing the development of new business. Hubbard’s most recent position was at Virginia Candle as director of national account sales.

NEW YORK—Kelli Turner, chief financial officer for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, will leave the company in the near future, according to the company.

An MSLO statement said Turner will “join a private company in the near future,” although it did not specify which company. MSLO has also begun a search for a new chief financial officer.

During the search, Allison Jacques, the company’s controller, will serve as MSLO’s principal financial and accounting officer.

VENICE, Fla.—Tervis Tumbler Company has established an executive office of the president and added Barry Wolfson as president and chief executive officer. Laura Spencer, the current president and CEO, was named chief financial officer. Wayne Varnadore was promoted to chief operating officer from vice president of operations, and Rich Kaplan was promoted to chief sales and marketing officer from vice president of sales and marketing.

CHICAGO—Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. has named Katherine Skelton director of leasing for L.A. Mart Gift.

ATLANTA —Mike Gay has been named senior vice president of marketing at AmericasMart Atlanta, succeeding Mike Turnbull, who has been named senior vice president of strategic relations for AMC, Inc., and its AmericasMart and LIGHTFAIR International entities.

Gay will strengthen the AmericasMart brand and its 19 annual markets, which attract retailers from every U.S. state and more than 80 countries. He leads a team of marketing, advertising, technology, retail services and publishing professionals.

NEW YORK—Jessica Kreider has been appointed marketing manager of the 7 W New York showroom building.

In this position, Kreider provides support for all of the building’s events and shows, and will assist in driving its comprehensive marketing initiatives. She reports to Su Hilty, vice president of marketing, and has succeeded Toni Toreno, who was recently promoted to director of trade-show sales.

CANNON FALLS, Minn.–Midwest-CBK has named industry veteran Molly Kinney to lead the company’s new home decor product development and design.

Kinney will lead Midwest-CBK’s home decor product design evolution plus manage all aspects of the company’s product development for home decor and garden.

MINNEAPOLIS—Laurie Facci has joined tabletop and accessory company Julia Knight as national sales director, effective August 30. She was most recently at Daum and Haviland/North America as director of sales, and her prior experience includes almost 10 years as senior national account manager for Baccarat, positions in sales and marketing at Rosenthal USA and vice president, sales, at Lynn Chase Designs.

FRANKFURT, Germany–Messe Frankfurt has promoted Stephan Kurzawski, Iris Jeglitza-Moshage and Klaus Reinke from vice presidents to senior vice presidents.

In his new role, Kurzawski has assumed responsibility for the development of Messe Frankfurt’s consumer-goods trade fairs, especially Ambiente, and will have the trade-show managing company’s Head Office Sales Controlling department reporting to him. He in turn reports to Detlef Braun, member of the board of management.

NEW YORK–Lenox Corp. announced that Kirsten Johnson was named product development director for Dansk.

Johnson has had various positions in both sourcing and product development with increasing responsibility since joining the company in 2001.

In her new position, Johnson will report to Glenn De Stefano, Dansk president.

NEW YORK–WWRD, parent company of Waterford, Wedgwood and Royal Doulton, has appointed Rick Fencel, vice president of sales for independents, special markets & channels within the United States.

Previously Fencel served as the chief executive officer for Lladró USA and the vice president of sales at Royal Doulton USA. He is a 25-year veteran of the tabletop and home décor industry.  His previous experience includes management roles with Goebel of North America, Mikasa, The San Francisco Music Box Company and The Museum Company.  

ATLANTA–David Savula has been named executive vice president in charge of AmericasMart Home and Gift leasing for all permanent showroom facilities in Buildings One, Two and Two West Wing, a new position.

He previously served as senior vice president in charge of AmericasMart’s Home showroom leasing for seven years.

NEW YORK-Steuben Glass has appointed Mark Samitt president from his position as chief operating officer, a position he’s held since June 2009.

With 20 years of experience in consumer and luxury goods, Samitt held the position of chief operating officer, North America and Global Supply Chain with Movado Group before joining Steuben.

ITASCA, Ill.–Enesco has named Linda Simpson its vice president of creative services.
Simpson will lead the global creative and design function at Enesco and Department 56, and expand Enesco’s licensing initiatives and relationships with outside artists.
Simpson is the former vice president of product development at Demdaco’s Silvestri division, where her responsibilities included managing global design teams.
At Enesco, Simpson will report to Sujata Luther, managing partner and executive vice president.

NEW YORK–Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries’ charitable organization, has announced that three people have joined its board. Pamela Graves, editorial director of HomeFashion & Hospitality magazine; Doug Miller, president, Urban Expositions; and Patricia Norins, founder and publisher of Pinnacle Publishing Group, now bring the total number of Gift for Life board members to 35, who represent such industries as sales, manufacturing, media, technology, marketing, management, retail and tradeshow management.

PRINCETON, N.J.–Greg Wallace has been appointed national sales manager for Christmas and gift for Shavel Home Products.
In this newly created position, Wallace is in charge of the management of Shavel’s sales representatives in these product categories, and the development of new and existing businesses in multiple channels of distribution. He reports to Jon Shavel, president and chief executive officer.

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–A restructuring at GLM has created three teams headed by senior vice presidents Phil Robinson, Dorothy Belshaw and Lori Kisner, all of whom will report to Alan Steel, executive vice president of the trade show-management division of DMG Worldwide.