HIGH POINT — Caroline Hipple, CEO of HB2 Resources, was elected chair of the American Home Furnishings Alliance board of directors during the organization’s Annual Meeting & CEO Conference in Savannah, Ga., last month.
She is the first woman to serve as board chair in the association’s 120-year history. Hipple, who joined the AHFA Board in 2020, was the fourth woman to serve as a director on the board, following Amini Audi (Stickley) in 2008, Stefanie Lucas (Rowe Furniture) in 2010 and Karol Czanderna (Flexsteel) in 2015.
Melinda Whittington, CEO of La-Z-Boy, who joined the board in 2022, will serve as first vice chair in 2026; Jeremy Hoff, CEO of Hooker Furnishings, is second vice chair; and Andy Bray, president of Vanguard, will serve as immediate past chair.
Executives named to new three-year terms are Mike Bradshaw, Avalon Furniture; Jamie Collins, Homelegance; Mark Franklin, Franklin Corp.; Eric Graham, Baker Furniture; Sean O’Connor, Universal Furniture; Eric Parsons, Jensen Outdoor; and Veronica Schnitzius, American Leather.
Executives who are continuing on the board with terms expiring at the end of 2026 are Doug Bassett, Vaughan-Bassett Furniture; Chad Gore, Leggett & Platt Furniture Components; Travis Wagner, Ashley Furniture Inds.; and Mark Weber, Southern Motion.
Board members with terms expiring at the end of 2027 are Jeremy Copeland, Carpenter Co.; Jessie Flanders, Lloyd Flanders; Fred Henjes, Riverside Furniture; and Derek Schmidt, Flexsteel Inds.
