Meet your IHFRA / High Point Market Rep Ambassadors Understanding that retailers’ greatest opportunities to advance their businesses occur at the High Point Market, IHFRA / High Point Market Rep Ambassadors are volunteers who meet with retailers one-on-one to discuss how attending Market can help them meet the challenges of today’s economic and consumer environments.

“The Rep Ambassadors are experienced pros who know that no other Market can help retailers achieve their goals as efficiently and effectively as High Point can,” says Brian D. Casey, president and chief executive officer of the High Point Market Authority. “With a comprehensive product selection, including the greatest number of new products, this is where you have an opportunity to experience all of the latest trends in style, color, form and function first-hand. They know that in High Point, retailers connect with the industry’s best and brightest, gaining the ideas and resources they need to move ahead. And of course, they know that the High Point Market is the place where retailers interact with vendors and sales representatives at the most meaningful level, building business relationships that build success.”

Chris DeLisa, Vice President of Sales, Homeline Industries
A retail veteran whose understanding of his customers’ challenges comes from hands-on experience, Chris left a successful, multi-million dollar family business at the age of 31 to become a manufacturer’s rep and expand his knowledge of the furniture industry. A short 18 months later, he took on responsibility for leading the sales effort at one America’s fastest growing home furnishings manufacturers. In addition to his work at Homeline Industries and as a High Point Market Ambassador, he also serves as president of the Greater New York Home Furnishings Association

Don Deeds, Representative, Broyhill Furniture
Don has covered the Southern California region for Broyhill Furniture since 2003. Working closely with his customers to deliver the products and programs that will help them grow their businesses, he has developed a deep appreciation for the High Point Market’s importance to our industry. Dedicated to serving today’s retailers with the highest degree of professionalism, he also serves as president for his local chapter of the Home Furnishings Representatives Guild of Southern California .

Matty Elowitz, Independent Manufacturers Representative
More than 25 years of serving retailers in a territory that spans Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas has convinced Matty that the comprehensive selection, access to suppliers’ top management, networking opportunities and new ideas presented at the High Point Market are essential to building and growing successful home furnishings stores. Committed to maintaining the highest professionals standards, he received his Certified Home Furnishings Representative designation from IHFRA in 1998.

Sandy Dant, Multi-line Representative
Understanding the importance of working together to build the success of our industry, Sandy currently serves as 1st vice-president of IHFRA and 1st vice-president of the Home Furnishings Representatives Guild of Southern California, which she has also served as past president and chairman. Her broad range of experience has convinced Sandy that, as the vital center of our industry, the High Point Market offers buyers easy access to an array of important benefits that no other event can deliver.

Terry Clemens, Representative, Flexsteel Industries
A 37-year veteran of Flexsteel, Terry works tirelessly to ensure that his customers needs are met. Through the success of his efforts, he has earned recognition as a company team leader and membership in the Flexsteel All Star Team, as well as an entry in Who’s Who in America. He has been a member of IHFRA for more than 35 years, achieving recognition as an IHFRA Dean in 2009. In addition, Terry has worked to promote professionalism in home furnishings sales as president of the Wisconsin Home Furnishings Reps Association; 1st vice-president, board member and past treasurer of Home Furnishings Representatives of Michigan (HFRM); and chairman of the Michigan All-Industry Seminar in 2009.

Neil Friedman, Sales Rep, Primo International
A seasoned, dedicated professional, Neil has been a member of the Home Furnishings Reps Guild of Southern California for four decades, and served as the organization’s president from 2007 – 2008. Honored for his exceptional service to our industry with the IHFRA Dean Award in 2009, he maintains an unfailing commitment to meeting his customers needs according the highest professional standards.

Edward Myers, Sales Rep, Broyhill Furniture
Serving retailers in Eastern Pennsylvania and South Jersey, Myers is also current chairman of the Tri-State Home Furnishings Association. In addition, he is an active member of the IHFRA who served as the association’s first vice president prior to taking on the responsibilities of president in fall 2009.

Richard Gillispie, CHR, Representative, Hooker Furniture
A member of the Virginia/Carolinas Home Furnishings Representatives Association, Gillispie also serves as chairman of the board for IHFRA and as a board member for the National Home Furnishings Association. Acting as a liaison between the IHFRA and the High Point Market Authority board, he seeks to ensure that our industry’s premier event continually improves to better meet the needs of retailers throughout the world.

Matthew Ryan Keepers, CHR, Representative, Hooker Furniture
Working with Bradington Young, Sam Moore and Opus Designs to serve retailers in Texas, Matthew enjoys an well-earned reputation for professional excellence and promotes high standards among his industry peers as an active at-large member of IHFRA.

Thomas M. Schuckert, CHR, Representative, Palliser Furniture
In addition to his work with Palliser, Thomas gives generously of his time to build our industry’s success as a High Point Market Ambassador, member of the IHFRA nominating committee, and board member for the association’s Cleveland chapter. He has also served as former president of IHFRA.

George Foree, CHR
Representing Fairfield and Durham in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Iowa, George also serves as a strong advocate for the home furnishings industry as an active at-large member of IHFRA.

Mark Scharff, CHR
A multi-line representative, Mark is a past president of the New Jersey Home Furnishings Association and has represented his chapter on the IHFRA board numerous times. In addition to assisting retailers as a High Point Market Ambassador, he is also currently engaged as an officer of the IHFRA.

Marty Sobel, Independent Representative
Covering a territory that encompasses Illinois, Wisconsin, Northern Indiana and Eastern Iowa for Liberty Furniture and Masterfield Furniture, Marty has built a reputation for exemplary service that has twice been recognized with the Charles B. Costar Dean of IHFRA award. He is also an active member of The Midwest Club, where he has served as president and board chair.

Carey Laufer, CHR
Representing Legacy Classic and Team Florida Furniture Sales, Carey has advanced the interests of the home furnishings industry as past president of the Florida Home Furnishings Reps Association. Currently serving on the executive board of FHFRA, he continues to promote professionalism and excellence in building mutually beneficial relationships between retailers and manufacturers.

Brooks Roughton, Multi-line Representative
Working with retailers in Northern California and Nevada as a representative for Universal Furniture, Craftmaster Upholstery, Better Homes & Gardens and Pennsylvania House, Roughton understands the value dealers derive from being able to experience their suppliers’ complete offerings at the High Point Market. Dedicated to promoting and sustaining the highest standards for his peers in the sales profession, he has also served as past president of the Northern California Home Furnishings Representatives Association.