Mar 9, 2007

GHTA Finalizes 2007 Board of Directors, Fills VacancyBy GHTAGiftandHome.org

The Gift and Homes Trade Association announces the 2007 roster for its Board of Directors with the addition of Pete Day of Oak Patch Gifts, John Handley of Accents & Occasions, John Haste of IMAX, Lori Minden Tancer of Lori Minden & Associates, Marc Rice of Fox Premier Sales and Adam Schrier of Charles Sadek Import Company. “The new board members have already expressed great enthusiasm for serving the industry through GHTA,” says GHTA President Kelly Dierke. “We’re pleased to welcome them to the group and eager to see the impact that they will have on the association and the industry.”

One additional position had to be filled this year, as there was a vacancy left by former board member Stuart Miller of Mohawk, who resigned shortly after the November annual meeting because of changes in his position with the company. The board selected Day to serve the remainder of Miller’s term, as required by the GHTA by-laws, which state that vacancies that occur between annual meetings be filled by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. As the new nominating committee chair and former GHTA president, the board charged Trip Van Roden to interviewing candidates who had expressed an interest in joining board.

Because Miller also served as the GHTA’s Vice President, changes to the 2007 GHTA Executive Board were also made during last week’s board meeting. George Kacic from Ganz will take over Miller’s role as Vice President, John Haste from IMAX will serve as treasurer and Peggy Lichty of Peggy Lichty & Associates will serve as secretary. See below for a complete list of GHTA board members.

President: Kelly Dierke, Ron Bauman & Associates, Inc.

Vice President: George Kacic, Ganz

Secretary: Peggy Lichty, Peggy Lichty And Associates, Inc

Treasurer: John Haste, IMAX

Chairman of the Board: Trip van Roden, Wellspring

Ex-Officio Members: Bob Love, Canadian Gift and Tableware Association and Melissa Haberstroh, The Burlap Horse

Board Members:

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About the GIFT AND HOME Trade Association:
GHTA is the gift and home industry’s only non-profit professional trade association formed to help vendors, sales agencies, industry affiliates and retailers work together to improve the industry. GHTA’s mission is to lead and transform the gift and home industry to ensure its long-term health and viability. GHTA hosts an annual conference, and distributes monthly newsletters, to inform and educate its members. GHTA also has a nine-member Retailer Advisory Board that advises on how best to support independent gift and home retailers. GHTA can be reached at 138 Garfield Street, Denver, CO 80206, 1-877-600-4872 / 720-748-4872 Fax: 509-479-5254, or by email at info@ghta.net. For more information on the GIFT AND HOME Trade Association visit www.giftandhome.org.