Ray Allegrezza Named IHFRA's New Executive Director

Furniture World News Desk on 6/25/2018

The IHFRA recently announced that industry veteran Ray Allegrezza has been named Executive Director for the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association (IHFRA). He replaces Kathy Parks, who held that title since 2005 and recently retired.

According to IHFRA president and Ashley Furniture rep Al David, “We are thrilled to have Ray, who brings more than three decades of editorial, publishing and marketing experience into IHFRA. He joins us at a great time when the industry and IHFRA are each poised for growth and we are confident that Ray will help us maximize those opportunities.”

Allegrezza, who spent the bulk of his professional life in publishing—most recently as the Editor in Chief of FurnitureToday, said, “I am honored and flattered by the opportunity to work with IHFRA. Having spent more than thirty years in the home furnishings sector, I know how important the role of the furniture rep is. My goal will be to continue all the good work done by Kathy Parks and with the help of the IHFRA Board, take this group to an even higher level of excellence.”

According to Allegrezza, IHFRA, which was established in 1934 with the goal of focusing on the needs and interests of sales reps in the furniture industry, currently has more than 2,300 members in the U.S. and Canada.

“The rep truly is the critical link between the supplier and the retailer and part of my vision is to find ways to help the rep to provide even more value to his or her customers and to the industry,” Allegrezza said.
Allegrezza, who will work out of IHFRA’s High Point office at 209 S. Main Street, Space M-001 LL, can be reached at (336) 255-5905.