TO SERVE ITS INDEPENDENT MEMBERS better, the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA) has created a new sales-representative council to provide insight and advice to ICFA’s board of directors. Bryan Echols, a sales representative in Concord, North Carolina, and a member of the board, will serve as 2016 chair of the council.

Gary McCray, president of Klaussner Outdoor and 2016 chair of ICFA, says, “One of our goals for ICFA has been to increase participation in our association. The formation of the sales-representative council offers this key segment that opportunity.”

Members serving three-year terms on the council are Mark Cannon (St. Charles, Illinois); Victoria Dawson (Huntington Beach, California); Ed Hatton (Lexington, Kentucky); Claire Walvick (Gorham, Maine); and Saara Wissbaum (Copperapolis, California). Members serving two-year terms are John Balch (Murfreesboro, Tennessee); David Digirolamo (Dublin, California); Andy Hamilton (Dallas, Texas); Justin Pfahl (Parkland, Florida); and Charlie Smith (La Quinta, California).

The council is hosting an afterhours mixer from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on July 13 (during the ICFA Preview Show™) at Moe’s Cantina River North, 155 W. Kinzie St., Chicago, Illinois. ICFA members and prospective members are invited.