COMMERCE, Calif. – The Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers (AWFS) installed its 2006 board of directors on January 28th at a gala dinner event held at the Ritz Carlton in Pasadena, Calif. Skip Hem, vice president of Royal Plywood, serves as the president of the association for 2006 and 2007. Hem has a long history of leadership positions with the board, including chairing the committees for public policy, member services, the College of Woodworking Knowledge and the trade show committee, as well as serving as secretary/treasurer and then as vice president.

The newest member of the board is Tom Elliot, who was elected to a one-year term, and also serves on the member services committee. Elliot is the assistant national sales manager and regional sales manager of Costa & Grissom Machinery, representing their line of wide belt sanders in New England.

Three individuals ending their first full terms on the board were all re-elected to a second consecutive term. Archie Thompson, adhesives account executive with Daubert Chemical Co. in Chicago also continues to chair the member services committee. Jon Sanchez is the Western regional sales manager for Hanes Industries in Cerritos, Calif. Sanchez is the liaison to the Young Furniture Associates (YFA) and is chair of the golf committee. Tony Varda of Cefla Finishing America, who has served on the trade show committee since July 2003, is continuing in his role as chair of a subcommittee for attendee marketing.

The 2006 AWFS board of directors roster includes:

Officers:

President: Skip Hem, Royal Plywood Co.

Vice President/President Elect: Joan Kemp, CP Adhesives

Secretary/Treasurer: Jeff Oliverson, Koch Ltd. Machinery & Systems

Immediate Past President: Barry Howerton, Leggett & Platt

Members:

Kevin Bedell, Foamex

Steve Byers, Louis & Co.

Tom Elliot, Costa & Grissom Machinery Co.

Wade Gregory, SierraPine Limited

Larry Hilchie, Weinig Group America

Mary Ann Lamascus, Atlas Spring Manufacturing Corp.

Philip Martin, Hafele America Co.

Jon Sanchez, Hanes Industries

Ase Stornetta, Ritter Manufacturing Inc.

Archie W. Thompson, Daubert Chemical Co.

Tony Varda, Cefla Finishing America

For more information on AWFS, call 800.946.AWFS or e-mail info@awfs.org.