homelighting.com

Magazine Online

Spotlight on People

Appointments and promotions

Goose Creek, S.C.-based Quoizel has appointed John Howard director/design. Prior to joining Quoizel six years ago, he operated his own lighting store.
     Brad Smith was named an executive committee member at Elk Lighting, Inc., based in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania. Smith will be heavily involved in ensuring the execution of the company’s business plan, including completion of its facilities expansion. He worked in investment banking for the last 10 years, primarily focused on increasing revenues and streamlining operations.
     Jacksonville, Fla.-based Hunter Lighting Group has appointed Todd Langner to the position of senior vp/marketing and new business development. Langner’s duties include directing all marketing-related activities such as collateral, packaging, showroom merchandising, advertising/public relations, licensing, and research. He was most recently vp/marketing and product development for Kichler Lighting and before that president of Troy Lighting. Langner also held the post of vp/sales, marketing, and product development for Forecast Lighting.
     Barry Kelley has joined Atlanta-based Sterling Industries as director/creative services. He will report directly to John Scott, owner and president. Kelley was formerly vp/marketing, merchandising, and creative services for Oriental Weavers of America and also served in the same capacity for 14 years with Mohawk Home, a textile manufacturer. He will oversee activities for three divisions: Sterling Industries home accents, Platinum Bay lighting, and Diamond View mirrors.
     City of Industry, Calif.-based Maxim Lighting International has appointed two regional managers. Brent Gates has become regional builder sales manager/Midwest and Jim Simunaci is now the regional builder sales manager/Southeast. Gates has more than 20 years of experience in residential lighting at both the rep and distributor levels. Simunaci has spent the last 10 years developing the builder channel with Sea Gull Lighting.
     Maxim Lighting has appointed Sherry Stanton marketing manager and Aaron Sperling as special projects administrator within the Maxim Group Companies. Stanton has a background in banking and music, and more than 15 years of experience in marketing and advertising. Sperling, previously employed by Boca Raton, Fla.-based Ken Gale Associates, will now oversee special projects for Maxim and its subsidiary companies.
     Springfield, Mo.-based Decorize has named Buzz Leer vp/sales. He will be responsible for sales and marketing and will also coordinate and direct the efforts of the rep organizations that offer Decorize, GuildMaster, and Faith Walk Designs. He has more than 20 years of sales management experience. Previously, Leer provided brand strategy and positioning, store design, and sales training to retail businesses. He was also a partner with Lippincott & Margulies and the national sales manager for Waterford/Wedgwood USA.
     Leviton Manufacturing Co., located in Little Neck, N.Y., has appointed Joel Manjarris specialist/lighting controls. He will focus on the Texas market, specifically in the Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston areas. Manjarris has a background in the lighting control and electrical contracting industries, and is the former president of LLM Corp, a division of ERT Lighting and Sales, Inc. He also served as an outside sales rep for California Electric Supply. In addition to his sales and management experience, he has worked as an independent electrical contractor for more than five years.
     Jack Reid Shelburne was named vp/residential leasing for Chicago-based Merchandise Mart Properties, Inc. He brings a wealth of experience in home furnishings, including more than eight years as vp/sales and marketing for La Barge and Maitland-Smith, a division of Furniture Brands Inc. During his tenure, he successfully led the merger of the La Barge brand into the Maitland-Smith organization, managed sales forces for both businesses, and developed promotional and marketing programs.
     Michelle Ovalle has joined the L.A. Mart as director/gift marketing. She will be responsible for developing marketing programs and special events. Ovalle will report directly to Gerry Seibel, vice president and assistant manager of the L.A. Mart.
     White Plains, N.Y.-based George Little Management, LLC, has named Brenda Harrison group manager/Western Canadian Gift Shows to handle the management, financial control, and administration of all facets of production and new show development. She will report directly to Chris Gowe, group manager/Canadian Gift Shows.

REP NEWS

Ed Marino has joined Bronx, N.Y.-based Murray Feiss, as a sales rep for the Home Décor division. An experienced rep, he has also been a sales manager, marketing manager, and warehouse supervisor. In addition, Marino has served as president of the Arizona Home Furnishing Representative’s Association (AHFRA) and coordinator of the group’s Phoenix Furniture Show.
     LEDtronics, headquartered in Torrance, Calif., has selected John Henckel as its new sales rep for northern Europe. His tasks will include recruiting knowledgeable distributors, application assistance, and other value-added customer services. He has 35 years of experience in electronics, manufacturing, and sales.
     Simi Valley, Calif.-based Vista Professional Outdoor Lighting, has recruited Bill McAtee to serve as district sales manager/Midwest. He will represent the company’s low-voltage lighting products, working with distributors, landscape contractors, and specifiers in Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska. He will also conduct landscape lighting seminars and handle product field support and trouble shooting. McAtee will be based in Overland Park, Kansas. He is a member of the Low-Voltage Lighting Institute of America.