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.
A 17-year veteran of MMPI, Falanga most recently served as senior vice president of managing, leasing, marketing and business development for MMPI’s commercial furnishings, LuxeHome, office, retail and art businesses, along with heading MMPI’s acquisition efforts. He has played a key role in NeoCon, MMPI’s flagship trade show, since introducing temporary space at The Merchandise Mart in 1996—a move which, according to an MMPI statement, “fueled the show’s renaissance.” He also led MMPI’s acquisition of IIDEX/NeoCon Canada and has been responsible for MMPI’s art fairs in New York, here, Toronto, Basel, Switzerland, and Los Angeles.
In a statement issued yesterday, Kennedy said he decided to leave MMPI after a period of self-reflection surrounding his 25th anniversary at The Merchandise Mart, which occurred on June 1. He said he will now spend time on activities in community service and economic development. “I have a growing interest in public policy, community service and the impact of strong leadership in these areas,” he said. “Entrepreneurial business development seems like the best way to serve those interests.”
In another move, MMPI has promoted Myron Maurer, a 24-year veteran of the company, to the newly created position of chief operating officer. Maurer, who will also take this post on July 23, will assume leadership over the company’s day-to-day operations and management of its properties through the United States, as well as its consumer and trade shows throughout the U.S. and Canada. He will report to Falanga.
Most recently, Maurer has been MMPI’s senior vice president responsible for its real-estate operations and capital projects.