Tri-State HFA Awards Dinner-Dance

Furniture World Magazine

The Manor at Cedarbrook Hill Country Club in suburban Philadelphia was the site on November 13 for the annual honoring of home furnishings representatives and retailers. Tri-State HFA covers eastern PA, southern NJ, and Delaware. TSHFA Hall of Fame Award is given to members who have gone above accepted norms in association and/or industry involvement. Buzz Hoffman was the recipient this year, for his many years of service to the association, having served as president and board chair, as well as having served on and chaired numerous committees. "This Is Your Life" presentation of the award was executed by David Lesser. Representative of the Year Award, voted by membership, was presented to Barry Abrams by last year's winner Jerry Cohen. Barry represents Vaughan-Bassett, Virginia House, Kroehler and Morgan-Stewart and Philip Reinisch with Mid-Atlantic Furniture Distributors. Other nominees were Shelley Eisenberg and Rick Fusco. Retailer of the Year, again membership-voted, was presented to Ed Myers of Drexel Hill Furniture, Drexel Hill, PA. Last year's winner, Doughty's Furniture was represented by Greg Gaglianone, who did the honors. Karen's Furniture and Griffith & Bixler were also nominated. Congeniality Award, the third voted award was presented to Jon Wolff of Cohen Brothers Furniture in New Castle, DE by Wayne Miller, CHR - long time friend and past president of TSHFA. Other nominees were Larry Evans of Royal Furniture of Emmaus and Mitch Cooper of Gordon's. Youth Recognition awards were presented to Chris Fecera, retailer and Michael Lesser, representative by Greg Gaglianone and Bill Landes, last year's respective winners. Senior Service awards were presented by Ed Myers to Lloyd Getz, and in absentia to Doc Daugherty and Jim MacLachlan. A Presidential Award was presented by Roger Galo, CHR, current president to Roger Ritchey for his part in Simmons continuing support of TSHFA activities. Forty Winks, represented by Jerry Borregine and family members, was presented Bedding Retailer of the Year by Roger Galo, TSHFA president. 1999 Bedding Representative Mark Keele, Simmons received his award from 1998 recipient Joel Sauls, of Springwall. Retail Display Award was presented to Bassett Furniture Direct stores in the Philadelphia Market. These include Montgomeryville (PA) and Cherry Hill (NJ), owned by Harry Kahn; Egg Harbor Township (NJ), owned by Frank Mazza; and Wilmington (DE), owned by Mark Luber. This was presented by Bruce Marmer, CHR - Awards Dinner Chair. Past President's plaque was also presented to Wayne Miller, CHR for the service he gave prior to his move to Mississippi to serve as VP of Chromcraft residential division. Membership had been asked for nominations for "Employee of the Year" to include anyone in "behind the scenes" situation. Karen Bressler was brought to TSHFA's attention by Susan Baxter for her work in customer service "above and beyond the call of duty". Colonial Furniture of Freeburg, PA brought a contingent to help celebrate her honor. Second "Employee of the Year" award was presented to Ed Darcy, VP of Operations at Mealey's Furniture in Langhorne and Fairless Hills, PA (both suburban Philadelphia). Kevin Mealey, who couldn't be present credited Ed with always giving 150%. For more information contact the Association at P.O. Box 635, 135 North Main Street, Ambler, PA 19002 - 215/646-3831 - Fax 215/646-4033