IHFRA announced that it will honor Ray Isser CHR of the Tri-State Chapter with a prestigious award recognizing a member who has exceeded the “call of duty” as an IHFRA member and sales representative, the Rudy Steltemeier Award.
Rudy Steltemeir was a beloved Tennessee sales representative for 66 years who passed away in 1993 at the age of 92. So many successful representatives attribute their success to Rudy’s help. Many sales representatives can recall Rudy going to bat for them, helping them get lines, or lending them money to get through the leaner times. Rudy was proud to be a furniture salesman and often told other representatives “you make your living selling furniture and you must support your association.”
The “Rudy” award honors an IHFRA member who has demonstrated the qualities of outstanding service to fellow representatives as exemplified by Rudy Steltemeir.
Ray Isser joined the Tri-State Chapter of IHFRA in 1978 and has been active in his Chapter holding every office possible including President in 1996 – 1998 and Chairman of the Board in 1998 – 2000.
Becoming more involved with IHFRA on a national level, Isser “went through the chairs” and became IHFRA’s 68th President in 2006. Ray completed his educational course requirements to become a CHR in 2003. Ray has participated in all the Marches on Washington and promoted and represented IHFRA at many industry gatherings. He has been an example to follow for the newer and younger representatives coming into the industry and organization.
Ray is a graduate of Columbia University and a furniture industry veteran with over thirty years as a sales representative. He has represented such diverse lines as Wicker and Cane, King Koil, AICO, Chromcraft, Blackhawk, Stratford/Stratalounger, SLF, Gold Bond Mattress, Homelegance, A-America, Luke Leather, Rose Hill and Masterguard UV3. He has three children – a son who graduated college and twin daughters in college.
The IHFRA Presidential Gala and Awards Dinner will be held on Friday, April 16 at 6 p.m. in the IHFC Ballroom. For more information contact the IHFRA Office at 336-889-3920 or e-mail ihfra@ihfra.org.