CFMA Board of Directors Installed at Annual Meeting

Furniture World News

Members of the California Furniture Manufacturers Association were honored and the year 2000 Board of Directors was installed at the association's Annual Meeting. Larry Parnell of Oakwood Interiors was installed for his second term as CFMA President. During the dinner program, Parnell said he is excited about the coming year's events with the increasing popularity of CFMA seminars, educational business meetings and leisure activities. He said that CFMA will continue to offer its members business benefits as we move into the new millennium, and that he is also looking forward to working more closely with the Western Home Furnishings Association (WHFA) and other industry organizations. There were many representatives of the furniture trade press on hand for the ceremonies. The newly installed Board of Directors includes: President: Larry Parnell, Oakwood Interiors Directors: Tom Bass, Sandberg Furniture Bud Cunningham, Arbek Manufacturing Paul Darafeev, Mikhail Darafeev, Inc. Burt Grimes, Pacific West Furniture Jason Harrow, Hollywood Bed & Spring Ron Hoesterey, Royal Mattress Chuck Koch, Sheffield Furniture Jeff Lazar, JL Furnishings Richard Masters, Andreini & Co. Mark Popel, Creative Elegance Merv Rabin, John Boyd Designs Gary Stafford, Terra Furniture Immediate Past President: Kent Higashi, Alu-mont Furniture Before the night closed, Parnell presented three distinguished awards honoring companies and individuals who have committed themselves to supporting CFMA and the industry. For the first time, there was an award to recognize the contributions of Associate Members. The Associate Member of the Year award was bestowed upon Fred Brocklebank of New River Lumber for outstanding support of CFMA and persistent fund raising efforts for the association's annual golf tournament. The Manufacturer of the Year Award was presented to Dan and Elena Kush of Kushwood Manufacturing. Kushwood is a progressive and fast growing business that recently moved into a new building. Parnell gave the couple a plaque and had this to say about their efforts. "This manufacturer undertook a huge project as they battled with the AQMD (Air Quality Management District). Their hard work and perseverance helped all the manufacturers in the South Coast basin." Parnell gave the final plaque, the "President's Award," to Gary Stafford of Terra Furniture for his unselfish work in chairing the CFMA Labor Compensation Survey representing CFMA with the Air Quality Management District and the Regulatory Seminar. Parnell concluded the meeting by calling his wife, Judy, to the podium and presented her with a dozen long-stemmed roses and a kiss. CFMA is an association of more than 130 furniture manufacturers and suppliers whose mission is to educate, promote and protect the interests of furniture manufacturing in California and the West.