WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.–Trade-show manager GLM has named Penny Sikalis vice president of business development, in charge of researching and evaluating new trade-show launches and potential show acquisitions.

In her new role, Sikalis reports directly to Charles McCurdy, GLM’s CEO. She also maintains her current position as vice president and show manager of Surtex.

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.

NEW YORK–Dennis Keehn has been named to handle the advertising, marketing and website for 230 Fifth Ave.

Keehn’s appointment marks a return to 230 Fifth Ave., also known as the New York Market Center. From 1991 to 2008, he created advertisements for the showroom building.

Keehn’s career has included 35 years of experience in marketing and advertising. His clients have included Bloomingdale’s, Timex, the 225 Fifth Ave. Gift Building, Colgate-Palmolive, the 200 Lexington Ave. Design Center, Kurt Adler and Signooria.

BOCA RATON, Fla.—Hollander Home Fashions has named Mark McKenzie sales vice president.
 
McKenzie is responsible for sales to the company’s key accounts on the West Coast, and is based in San Francisco. He reports to Kay LeGrange, president of sales.
 
Before joining Hollander, McKenzie operated his own sales firm, Full-McKenzie, which he founded in 2009. He also worked in various executive posts for Bullocks, Springs Global and Westgate Home.

NEW YORK–J.Queen New York has tabbed Mike Walsh as account executive for the Midwest and West Coast regions.

In this newly created position, Walsh covers the sales activities to customer accounts in this regions, and reports to Dave Roman, vice president of sales. He works out of J.Queen’s recently established office in Chicago.

J.Queen will show its new collections of fashion bedding, window treatments and bath accessories during the upcoming New York Home Fashions Market at its showroom on 37 West 20th St. here.

MONZA, Italy—Frette has named Laurence Franklin as its new CEO.

Franklin succeeds Jeff Hansen, Frette’s chairman and partner of JH Partners, Frette’s controlling shareholder. Hansen will remain as chairman.

JAMESBURG, N.J.—Design Weave USA has named Steve Hoffman to the newly created position of vice president of new business development.

Hoffman has thus assumed responsibility over the new-business efforts of the manufacturer of health-related and environmentally friendly bedding products. He reports directly to the company’s president, Henry Wang.

Before joining Design Weave, Hoffman was vice president of home textiles for Noble Biomaterials. His career also includes posts with WestPoint Home, Thomaston Mills and Springs Industries (now Springs Global).

BOCA RATON, Fla.–Hollander Home Fashions has appointed Jeff Simon to the newly created position of sales vice president.

Simon will focus on expanding Hollander’s market share in North America, and will be based in Minneapolis. He reports to Kay LeGrange, president of sales.

He comes to Hollander from Springs Global, where he has held the position of senior account manager since 2003.

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.

KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.—The International Furnishings and Design Association has designated Joe Ruggiero as this year’s winner of its Trailblazer Award.

NEW YORK–Welspun USA has appointed industry veteran Jeff Moss director of towel sales.

In his new role, Moss is in charge of sales of the company’s towel line to major retailers. He reports to Barry Leonard, Welspun USA’s president and CEO, and succeeds Jerry McCarthy, who is retiring.

Moss’ career includes executive positions with Fieldcrest Cannon, Leshner Mills and, most recently, Towellers.

NEW YORK–Marc Navarre has been named the president and chief executive officer of Croscill, Glenoit and Excell.

Most recently, Navarre was the president and CEO of Groupe SEB, North America, where he oversaw the management of housewares brands such as All-Clad, T-Fal, WearEver, Rowenta, Moulinex and Krups. Previously, Navarre served as the president and CEO of All-Clad Metal Crafters.

CEDAR GROVE, N.J.—FabriTech has named Ruben Loera to the newly created position of director of sales and retail development.

Loera oversees the company’s network of sales representatives and focuses on expanding mattress- and pillow-protector sales through education and collaboration with the company’s retail customers. He reports to Sean Bergman, vice president of sales and marketing.

Before joining FabriTech, Loera served as vice president of sales for Sleep America.

SHELTON, Conn.—David Fisher, chief operating officer of Latex International, has succeeded Kevin Coleman as the company’s president and chief executive officer.

According to a company statement, Coleman has resigned for unspecified reasons. John Pouschine, Latex International’s chairman, cited Fisher’s experience in global manufacturing and building “strong customer-service organizations,” which “are ideally suited to bring (the company) to the next level.”

CHICAGO—Merchandise Mart Properties Inc. has appointed Nancy Michael senior marketing and strategy director for the gift and home decor industry, effective Jan. 3, 2011. In her new role, Michael will be based in Chicago working directly with Trisha Schultz, marketing director, and the entire Chicago Market team, as well as coordinating and leveraging marketing activity across all three locations: Los Angeles, Chicago and New York.

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.

COSTA MESA, Calif.–Anna’s Linens has appointed Steven Jackson as vice president of real estate and construction.

Jackson will oversee the retailer’s store expansion along with assuming real-estate responsibilities when he assumes his new role on Sept. 20. He will report directly to Scott Gladstone, chief operating officer.

Before joining Anna’s Linens, Jackson served as senior vice president of real estate at The Sports Authority. His career also includes real estate-related posts with PetSmart.

NEW YORK–J. Queen New York is expanding its office and showroom space, and has hired Dave Roman as vice president of sales.

The added space, measuring about 3,000 square feet, will approximately double the size of the company’s current space, located at 37 W. 20th St. here.

NEW YORK–Loftex has appointed Luis Hernandez to the newly created position of director of sales for the U.S.A. division.

Hernandez is responsible for all sales in the United States for the division, and reports to Gretchen Dale, the division’s chief operating officer.

Before joining Loftex, Hernandez was director of sales and marketing for the Solarium division of Richloom Fabrics.

NEW YORK–S. Lichtenberg & Co. has given new titles to its top executives.

Richard Lichtenberg has been named chairman of the board, the same title his father, Alan, held until his death in 2003. Michael Lichtenberg has become president, taking the title held by his father, Herbert, until his death last October. Scott Lichtenberg, also Herbert’s son, has been named chief operating officer, a newly created position. Previously, all of the Lichtenbergs were vice presidents.

NEW YORK–Carolyn D’Angelo, vice president of brand management for the home division of Iconix Brand Group, has been promoted to senior vice president for the home division’s brand management.

D’Angelo remains responsible for building the home segment of Iconix’s branded business, duties which she assumed when she joined the company in 2007 after its acquisition of Pillowtex. An Iconix statement credited D’Angelo with securing the company’s direct-to-retail deals such as Cannon at Sears and Kmart, and Charisma at Costco.

TEANECK, N.J.—Sung Oh has joined Beacon Looms as director of design and product development, a newly created position.

Oh is responsible for the design and development of all of the company’s window treatments, bedding and decorative pillows. She reports to Sandy McNeil, senior vice president of merchandising and sales.

Before joining Beacon Looms, Oh was senior vice president of Louis Hornick & Co., responsible for design, product development and sourcing.

BOCA RATON, Fla.–Hector Torres has been named vice president of merchandising at Hollander Home Fashions.

In this newly created position, Torres is responsible for merchandising activities concentrating on the company’s department-store and specialty-store businesses. He reports to Beth Mack, chief merchandising officer. Mack said Torres’ appointment is part of Hollander’s long-term growth strategy, which includes “investing in key personnel for specific areas of growth within our company.”

DALTON, Ga.–Walt Hartsfield has been appointed to the new position of product manager, broadloom, at Oriental Weavers USA.

Hartsfield joined the company in 2008 as broadloom operations manager, and he was instrumental in developing and launching the company’s broadloom category, the company said. Working with the company’s sales, product development and senior management teams, Hartsfield will now further expand the company’s distribution of its Wilton-woven and Axminster broadloom.

Before joining Oriental Weavers, Hartsfield was the general manager for Daltonian Flooring.

NEW YORK–Rich Roman, president of Revman, has assumed the presidency of the Home Fashion Products Association.
Roman has succeeded Barry Leonard, president of Croscill/Ex-Cell Home Fashions/Glenoit, who will serve a two-year term as president of the HFPA Foundation.

MASON, Ohio–Glen Alberi has been named national sales manager of Downlite.
Alberi has assumed responsibility over the Downlite national sales team, along with increasing the company’s retail sales business and cultivating customer relationships. He reports to Chat Altbaier, vice president of sales and marketing. His post is part of a transition in the Downlite management team that is ongoing, according to Altbaier.

CHICAGO–Betsy Evenson has been appointed to the newly created position of national account manager in the hospitality division for Protect-A-Bed.
Evenson is responsible for sales and education efforts geared toward owners and operators of hotels and motels. She provides information to this customer base on how to protect their mattresses and works toward solutions for bed-bug infestations. She reports to Petra Minoff, vice president of hospitality sales.

NEW YORK-Andy Petricoff and Steve Pianowski have been appointed to newly created positions in the bedding product segment at Welspun USA.
Petricoff has been named vice president of brand management and bedding, responsible for all of the brands Welspun owns and licenses. Pianowski has become senior account executive of bedding, and will lead the company’s sales efforts to mass merchants and national chains for all bedding. Petricoff reports to Charles Gaenslen, chief operating officer of Welspun USA, and Pianowski reports to Petricoff.

FORT MILL, S.C.–Laura Ashley Inc. has appointed Kwan Ng president, effective today. Ng succeeds Lawrence Chai, who retired yesterday.
Ng will oversee the licensing operations and business strategy for North and South America. He previously was the head of the global bath and home products brand Crabtree & Evelyn. He also spent five years as chief executive officer of Laura Ashley Holdings, PLC, in London, where he expanded the company’s home furnishings division and revamped the brand image.

BOCA RATON, Fla.–Hollander Home Fashions has appointed Tim Landers as vice president and business manager for mattress pads and comforters.
Landers is responsible for the management of the company’s mattress-pad and comforter product lines, including developing and implementing merchandise strategies focused on creating new products. He reports to Beth Mack, chief merchandising officer, and succeeds Raoul Lopez, who has left the company.

CRANBURY, N.J.–Triangle Home Fashions has named Dennis Marton executive vice president, a new position for the manufacturer.
Marton is responsible for the company’s day-to-day operations, including sales, marketing, new products and its e-commerce efforts. He reports directly to Triangle’s president and chief design officer, Jenny Zhu.
Most recently, Marton was a sales and marketing executive at Royal Doulton.

NEW YORK–In a series of executive changes at Westgate/HFI, chief executive officer David Li has resumed the post of president, succeeding Thomas Coughlin, who has left the company. Westgate is a growing supplier of both finished home textiles products and decorative fabric.
In addition, Amy Bell has been named to the new position of executive vice president of marketing and merchandising for the company. She had previously been vice president and merchandise manager for decorative pillows and accessories.

NEW YORK–Andrew Skobe has been named chief financial officer of WestPoint Home.
Skobe, a 20-veteran of financial-management positions with several companies, will direct WestPoint’s financial operations from its headquarters here. He reports to John Piazza, president and chief executive officer. He succeeds Nelson Griffith, WestPoint’s controller who was interim chief financial officer.

MARBLE HILL, Ga.–After 39 years in the floor covering and home textiles industry, Wes Connelly, now North America area manager for Wools of New Zealand, will retire as of March 1. Connelly began his career at Woodside, a division of Dan River Mills, which specialized in apparel fabrics. He then spent 11 years at Monsanto before going to the Wool Bureau, where he remained though the evolution of Wools of New Zealand. And though he is retiring, he still plans to consult for Wools of New Zealand and other businesses in the industry.

NEW YORK–Roger Gilmartin, president and chief executive officer of Covington Fabric & Design, has retired.
He has been succeeded as president and CEO by Mark Kahan, the company’s chairman, and will serve as a consultant to the business for the foreseeable future.

NEW YORK–Barry Leonard, president of Glenoit and Ex-Cell Home Fashions, has been appointed to the presidency of Croscill as well.
Croscill was purchased by Patriarch Partners, owner of Glenoit and Ex-Cell, last week. Leonard, who reports to Lynn Tilton, chief executive officer of Patriarch Partners, has assumed responsibility over Croscill’s overall operations.

ATLANTA–Lissa Schaus has been appointed director of bedding design for Home Source International.
In this newly created position, Schaus is responsible for the development of products under the Portico brand, which Home Source has just licensed, and for other licensed and in-house brands. She reports to Phyllis Moore, vice president of bed product development, and John Fraley, chief operating officer.
Before joining Home Source, Schaus was design director of home fashions for Westgate International and designer of bed products for Pillowtex Corp.

GONZALES, La.–Olivia Elliott has been appointed vice president and chief financial officer of Crown Crafts, the producer of infant and toddler textiles and accessories.
Elliott thus assumes charge over the company’s financial operations, and reports to E. Randall Chestnut, chairman and chief executive officer. She succeeds Amy Samson, who has stepped down for personal reasons. Samson remains as Crown Crafts’ vice president and chief accounting officer, responsible for all of the company’s accounting activities.

NEW YORK–Peking Handicraft has designated new assignments for a number of its top executives.
Annie Lo, co-owner of the company with her husband Dicky and formerly president, has been named chief executive officer responsible for all of the company’s functions. Mark Grand, formerly chief operating officer, has been named president and has assumed charge of Peking Handicraft’s sales, product development, design and financial matters. Grand reports to Annie and Dicky Lo.

TAMPA, Fla.–Bob Hellyer, who became chief executive officer of Spring Air last year after the company merged with its biggest licensee, has resigned.
A Spring Air statement said Kevin Damewood, executive vice president of sales, and Steve Cumbow, chief operating officer, will take on Hellyer’s responsibilities in a newly formed Office of the Chairman. Damewood oversees sales and marketing, and Cumbow supervises finance, manufacturing, logistics and administration. Both report to Spring Air’s board of directors, which is led by Michael Michienzi, non-executive chairman.

CARY, N.C.–Janet Reed has been appointed associate director of environmental research at Cotton Incorporated.
In this position, a new one for the organization, Reed is responsible for assessing all phases of cotton production and processing, identifying research opportunities and conducting scientific outreach efforts with retailers. She will also serve as a representative of the cotton production/manufacturing industry to the public. She reports to Kater Hake, vice president of agricultural research.

NEW YORK–WestPoint Home has appointed Paul Mischinski to the newly created position of executive vice president of merchandising and marketing.

CARTHAGE, Mo.–Leggett & Platt has created and filled new positions in its Consumer Products Group.

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.

NEW YORK–The Home Fashion Products Association has appointed Katie Geraghty, account executive with Kellen Co., as its executive director.
In this position, Geraghty provides leadership and staff support to the HFPA’s board of directors and to member companies of the trade association. She also works closely with HFPA committees to strengthen organizational operations and activities. She succeeds Deborah Collins, who has left to pursue another business opportunity, according to a Kellen spokeswoman. Kellen is an association management and professional-services firm.

NEW YORK–Bruce Porges, account manager in Croscill’s Dallas office, has retired.
Porges served in this position since 1990. He was involved in all aspects of the company’s J.C. Penney business, including bedding, window treatments and bath products. He reported to Dave Roman, vice president of sales.
Before joining Croscill, Porges was buyer for slipcovers and window treatments at Spiegel, and vice president of catalog operations for CHF Industries.
No successor has been named for Porges as of yet.

NEW YORK–Carl Legreca has been named to the new position of president of Croscill, assuming charge over the marketing and merchandising of all of the company’s products.
Legreca, formerly president of the company’s bath division, will oversee Croscill’s bedding and window-treatment products as well. Reporting to him are Michelle Larovere, vice president of bedding, and Jack Mann, vice president of window products. Legreca reports to Doug Kahn, the company’s chief executive officer.
In addition, Julie Brady, president of bedding, has left the company.

CONNELLY SPRINGS, N.C.–Jason Earles has been appointed vice president of sales and marketing at Circa 1801, a division of Valdese Weavers.
In this position, a newly created one for the company, Earles will lead the division’s sales efforts and work to establish the Circa 1801 brand identity in the marketplace. Circa 1801 is a supplier of contract fabrics that Valdese acquired last year, along with Guild 360, another contract supplier, from Joan Fabrics in an auction. Earles reports directly to Michael Shelton, Valdese’s president and chief executive officer.

NEW YORK–Kevin Jareck, senior vice president of sales and marketing, and Bruce Nichol, senior vice president of product development and design, are taking on the day-to-day management responsibilities over Dan River Home Fashions, in the wake of the departure of Herb Briggs, president of the home fashions division.
According to a company statement, no immediate successor has been named for Briggs. Nor has the company yet commented on a search process for his successor. Both Jareck and Nichol report directly to Michael Flatow, Dan River’s chief executive officer.

NEW YORK–NexCen Brands, the parent company of the Waverly brand, has appointed Kenneth Hall executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer, effective tomorrow, March 25.
When he takes up his new posts, Hall will be responsible for all aspects of NexCen’s financial management and human-resources functions. He reports to Robert D’Loren, chief executive officer, and succeeds David Meister, who has left the company.

NEW YORK–Achim Importing, a supplier of soft and hard window products and flooring, has appointed Howie Mallow as executive vice president of sales and marketing. In this newly created post, Mallow will report to Marton and Isaac Grossman, company owners and co-chief executive officers.

SAN FRANCISCO–Kaela Forker and Jeremy Ozorio have been named co-chief executive officers of American Pacific.
Forker, who most recently was the company’s executive vice president of sales, oversees American Pacific’s design, merchandising and sales functions. Ozorio, who was senior vice president of the company’s Asia operations and is based in Hong Kong, is in charge of global sourcing, development and operations in Asia. Forker joined American Pacific in 1992, while Ozorio has been with the company for six years.

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif.–Venus Home, a division of Venus Group, has named Cynthia Lerner as corporate design director, effective Jan. 1.
Lerner will assume charge of the company’s design and product-development efforts for bath products, sheets, top-of-the-bed products and beach products. She reports to Raj and Kirit Patel, the co-owners of Venus Group. She succeeds Vivie von Walstrom, who left Venus Home to pursue other interests.