The Summer 2024 edition of Atlanta Market will deliver 20 updates to 300+ home furnishings permanent showrooms, introducing diverse brands and refreshed resources to the July 16-22, Market at AmericasMart Atlanta. “The addition of home furnishings brands across the category gives our buyers the opportunity to source from new names and diversify retail offerings,” said Dorothy Belshaw, ANDMORE℠ Executive VP & Chief Growth Officer. “This Summer, we welcome curated collections of home décor and furniture exhibitors, including updates in outdoor living, to promote productive discovery and buyi ..read more

WAC Lighting founder Tony Wang has announced the dedication of a main office in honor of the late executive Leonard M. Schwartz. The office will be called the “Leonard M. Schwartz Memorial Conference Room.” The wall plaque reads, “One of the finest men we ever met. A gentleman in every sense of the word; he was very generous, kind and successful in his personal and professional life. Leonard was instrumental in helping build WAC into the industry leader it has become today. He always inspired people and had a great gift for seeing the best in everyone. We will sorely miss his patient empathy ..read more

Reading, Pa.-based Fromm has appointed Patrick Standish as Regional Vice President. In this role, Standish will oversee all sales and operations of Fromm’s Allentown, Bloomsburg, Honesdale, Lebanon, and Souderton branch locations in Eastern Pennsylvania. He will be responsible for driving continued growth in these markets while working with the senior leadership team to execute the company’s strategic priorities. Standish is a seasoned sales professional with experience spanning more than 30 years in electrical sales and managing branch operations. He has held leadership roles at Graybar, Coop ..read more

Lighting and tradeshow industry veteran Lea Tranakos has joined Dallas Market Center (DMC) as Senior Director/Audience Development & Tradeshow Sales. Tranakos is responsible for growth strategy for attendees and exhibitors at ArchLIGHT Summit, the annual lighting trade event and educational platform for the architectural, specification and design communities. She brings significant experience to DMC, having served most recently in a leadership role with LightFair. Tranakos reports to Jo Ann Miller Marshall, Senior VP/Trade Show Leasing. “Lea’s expertise and experience will be extremely val ..read more

New York-based Zafferano America has announced the promotion of Chris Collins to Executive VP/ Sales and Neil Fleisher to VP Sales/Lighting Division, effective immediately. Collins and Fleisher are seasoned veterans in the luxury home retail and lighting industries, respectively, and have proven themselves as exceptional drivers of the brand’s efforts to build a national sales force. “Both Collins and Fleisher have been vital players on our team, helping to build a sales force that has generated tremendous success in a short time,” says Barrett Gross, President of Zafferano America. “In 2019 w ..read more

WAC Lighting Founder Tony Wang has announced the appointment of Becky Li to President, following the retirement of Dirk Wald. Wang will continue his role as Chairman of WAC.  Wang commends Becky Li, stating, “Becky has always been an integral and dedicated executive at our firm. With her wealth of experience in senior executive roles and adept strategic planning skills, we are confident in her ability to lead. We look forward to watching Becky at the helm as we continue to prepare this company for exponential growth.” In her new position, Li will collaborate with senior management to over ..read more

Charleston, S.C.-based Sonepar has entered into an agreement to acquire Michigan-based distributors, Madison Electric Company and Standard Electric Company. Family-owned and operated since Madison’s founding in 1914, and Standard’s in 1929, Madison and Standard are full-line distributors of electrical and industrial products and services to its contractor and industrial customers, and distribute into, and service, the HVAC and plumbing markets. With headquarters in Warren and Saginaw, Michigan, Madison and Standard have more than 550 associates and 36 locations across the state. Combined, Madi ..read more

Employee-owned Border States is set to acquire family-owned Dominion Electric Supply Company. The deal is expected to be finalized on May 1, pending regulatory approval. Established in 1940, Dominion has grown to more than 300 employees and nine branches in Virginia and Maryland with more than $374 million in annual sales. The acquisition will mark a geographic expansion for Border States on the East Coast, which has been ranked the sixth largest electrical distributor in the U.S. “As the largest family-owned and operated electrical distributor in the mid-Atlantic, Dominion is a growth-oriente ..read more

Lighting industry veteran Eric Borden, LS, CPC, will be stepping aside from his position of President & CEO of Verozza Lighting. After three years leading the growth of Verozza Lighting, Borden feels the time is right to remain involved as an outside consultant through his independent firm, Pathfinder Consultants, Inc. “Over the years, it has been an incredible honor and privilege to lead this exceptional team,” Borden says. “Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones and navigated through challenges with resilience and determination. I am immensely proud of what we have ac ..read more

Lighting showrooms who wish to reward one of their staff members with a free trip to the Dallas Lightovation show in June have until March 15 to submit their nominations for the popular Light Stars program here. The Light Stars program enables showroom personnel to experience the largest residential lighting market in North America, which is held twice-yearly at the Dallas Market Center. Aside from rewarding hard-working and talented employees, the Light Stars program enhances the perspective of the next generation of lighting retailing by exposing them to educational opportunities, display in ..read more