HomeFashion Wants
To Hear From You
Got a question for our Advisory Board? We’d
love to hear what you would like our distinguished panel of industry
insiders and experts to answer. Submit your questions to hfft@talcott.com.
Meet Our Advisory Board
HomeFashion & Furniture Trends proudly introduces
its Editorial Advisory Board. In upcoming issues, look for the Board’s
input and expertise as they respond to issues relevant to accessory
and home decor retailers.
Barbara Crowhurst
Retail Business Specialist, Coach, and Trainer.
In addition to being a retail specialist, business coach, and trainer, Barbara Crowhurst is a writer and international speaker with an extensive background in retail business management, sales, marketing, store design, and merchandising display. She is currently working with and coaching retailers throughout Canada, the United States, and now in Mexico. Her comprehensive and detailed approach to retail comes from years of working in the industry. Her career has taken her from working with some the largest corporate retail stores in North America to consulting with thousands of owner-operators since becoming self employed 12 years ago. Barbara’s company is leading the way with innovative services such as retail business coaching sessions, with one-on-one coaching and consulting by phone or in person. Barbara’s comprehensive Retail Makeovers and Retail Store Design have become the industry sensation; her training seminars are standing room only. Her message to retailers, “Effective retail is in the detail.”
 Linda Truckenmiller, ASID
Principal, Truckenmiller Design, Ltd.; ASID-Illinois Chapter Past President.
As past president of the American Society of Interior Designers Illinois Chapter (ASID-IL), Linda Truckenmiller served as chief elected officer, representing the entire membership and best interests of the chapter. She exercised personal leadership in the motivation of other officers, board members, committee members and staff in order to implement the approved strategic plan for the chapter during her term of office. Truckenmiller facilitated the chapter board in understanding its roles and responsibilities, acted as a spokesperson and inspirational leader, and took an important part in monitoring and evaluating chapter performance and effectiveness. A member of ASID since 1979, Truckenmiller has been practicing interior design for more than 25 years. She has held several positions with the ASID-IL Chapter, including Design Summit coordinator, “Celebration of Design” coordinator, and Web chair for the past two years. Prior to that, she served as president-elect and treasurer of the organization and was a co-chair for the ASID Showhouse (Lee and Page Houses). In addition to her roles with ASID, Truckenmiller was a participating designer in the Grace Episcopal Church Hinsdale (IL) Showcase House and the ASID-Oak Park/River Forest (IL) Infant Welfare Society Showcase House. Truckenmiller also serves on numerous committees, and delivers seminars on various design-related topics, such as designing home theaters at the Merchandise Mart Design Center in Chicago. As principal of Truckenmiller Design, Ltd. of Hinsdale, Illinois, Truckenmiller’s specialties are residential design, new construction and remodeling, vacation homes, window treatments, and designing home offices. She received her bachelor of arts in interior design from Iowa State University, and her NCIDQ certificate in 1979. Truckenmiller is a registered interior designer with the state of Illinois.
 Sharon Davis
Executive Director, Accessories Resource Team (ART).
Just about everyone in the home decor industry knows and has worked with Sharon Davis, executive director of the Accessories Resource Team, the association for the decorative accessories industry. Sharon began her career as a part-time assistant to the director of ART in 1989 and assumed the position of director of ART in 1993. Since then she has been instrumental in changing the criteria and judging process of the ARTS Awards and is responsible for creating and administering the ART regional seminar series. Most recently, Sharon accepted a job share position with The Coastal Group of New York City as vice president of public relations, working with individual clients to boost their public relations profile in the home furnishings, housewares, and contract industries.
Joyce Kesler
Executive Vice President and General Manager, FarCountries.com.
Retail- and trend-savvy Joyce Kesler serves the Company as senior vice president, merchandising of FarCountries.com, a global, full service online wholesale marketplace for the U.S. gift and home décor industries. Prior to joining FarCountries.com, Kesler was merchandise manager at Neiman Marcus, Atlanta, from 1984 to 1999 where she was responsible for managing a multi-million dollar annual sales plan, eight department managers, and 125 sales associates in gifts, epicure, men’s clothing, handbags, cosmetics, and ladies shoes. She was heavily involved in new product development, the introduction of new international vendors, special programs and promotions, and technology implementation. Prior to joining Neiman Marcus, Kesler was a department manager for Saks Fifth Avenue, Atlanta, where she began her career. She earned an AD from the Fashion Institute of America, also in Atlanta, and attended the Fashion Institute of London.
Rick Contino
President, Midwest, Inc.
In his role as president of Midwest, Rick Contino oversees the Seasons of
Cannon Falls and Colonial Candle brands. Contino has more than 30 years of diverse sales,
marketing and general management experience in the retail industry. Before joining Midwest,
Contino served as the acting president of The Burnes Group during a transition of ownership.
Prior to that, he was the vice president general manager of the ERO Division of Hedstrom
Corporation. Contino has also served as the chief executive officer of Playcore Holdings
and president of Newell Plastics in St. Paul, Minn. He has also worked for Federated
Department Stores (Sanger Harris-Dallas), Scovill (Hamilton Beach), Standex, and International
Silver Company in a variety of sales and marketing roles. Contino holds a Bachelor’s
degree in Marketing and Management from Indiana University.
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