Agio-USA recently named Douglas J. DeFouw as senior vice president, product design. Bob Gaylord, president, Agio-USA, explains, “This promotion is a testament to Doug’s tireless work, keen eye, and design instincts with Agio over the past decade. It greatly pleases me that this key position was filled from within our own ranks.”

DeFouw came to Agio-USA in 2004 and has led some of the brand’s most successful design endeavors. He has manned Agio’s gas-firepit projects, stone-top tables, and several of Agio’s most successful high-end dining and deep seating collections. DeFouw has also led teams on some of Agio’s most…

Treasure Garden, award-winning manufacturer of outdoor umbrellas, shade, and accessory products, has introduced a new replacementcanopy program, offered to retailers within its dealer network. The umbrella replacement canopies that fall within the Treasure Garden CARE program are available in three sizes: 7.5, 9, and 11 feet. All units within the expanded program include an attractive and easily merchandised packaging design.

Jeff B. Dorough, vice president of sales and marketing for Treasure Garden, says, “We are now able to provide an even larger program to create excitement at retail via addon sales. With the expansion of this program, retailers now…

The Big Green Egg Company unveiled its MiniMax EGG at HPBExpo in March. Destined to become a popular backyard staple and an invaluable culinary tool for restaurants, MiniMax was designed with the same height as a Mini, yet it has all the volume capabilities of a small EGG. The MiniMax EGG is also the ultimate portable solution for picnics, tailgating, vacations, boating, and campfire meals.

With a compact size that makes it perfect as a tableside cooker at your garden party or for grilling on balconies for an intimate dinner for two, the MiniMax EGG is sure to deliver…

RH Peterson Company, a leading manufacturer of premium gas grills, gas fire products, and outdoor fire features, has promoted Robert Dischner to the position of senior vice president. A 35-year industry veteran, Dischner joined the company in 2012.

Leslie Bortz, president, states, “Bob has made a tremendous impact in his brief time here. His unique product-development, marketing, and management expertise have been instrumental in the growth of our company. Our customers, sales representatives, and employees look to Bob as a trusted and respected partner and advisor. He’s a wonderful asset to our team.”

Since joining RH Peterson, Dischner…

The product-development team at Hearth & Home Technologies (H&HT) has been busy developing a wide array of new products that are guaranteed to heat up the marketplace. H&HT’s SimpliFire™brand, the leading provider of premium electric fireplaces, has made significant additions to its product line.

SimpliFire now offers electric fireplaces in styles that differentiate every room for every occasion, including chic, contemporary wall-hung fireplaces; traditional built-in fireplaces; and rich wood-cabinet fireplaces. In addition, SimpliFire has enhanced all models with new technologies that provide a more realistic flame experience and intensity controls, making it possible for homeowners to set flame brightness…

Homecrest Outdoor Living recently hired Michael Mettendorf as vice president of global sales. Mettendorf has more than 25 years’ experience in consumer- product sales, with 10 years spent in the casual-furniture industry. From 2005 though 2012, he was the general manager/vice president of sales and marketing for New River Casual Furniture, starting and building its North American operations. In addition, Mettendorf has been in senior sales/marketing leadership roles with Terra Flame Home, Surya, Fox River Mills, Daka Designs, and Sara Lee Corp.

Mettendorf brings the company a strong appreciation for the Homecrest brand (made in the United States), in…

The Ambiance CLX award-winning electric fireplace from Modern Flames was featured on the elaborate NBC set for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. As an architect of the original linear electric fireplace, Modern Flames is a pioneer and innovator in the field of contemporary electric fireplaces.

A well-known set-design company, based in New York, New York, chose the Modern Flames Ambiance model AL100CLX, a 100-inch electric fireplace, for the NBC set of Bob Costas. The face of the fireplace— originally a smooth, shiny black—was customized to deter the reflection cast by camera lighting.

The vibrant-orange naturalistic flame,…

Alfresco Home, manufacturer of distinctive casual furniture and garden accents (and the exclusive North American distributor of the Fornetto™ wood-fired dual-purpose oven and smoker), has named Rick Baker as gourmet brand manager. An industry veteran, Baker has vast knowledge and expertise in the world of outdoor living, and these are integral to establishing Alfresco Home and its Outdoor Gourmet division.

Joseph Cilio, CEO of Alfresco Home, says, “Since the launch of our Outdoor Gourmet category with the Fornetto product line, I’ve realized that as the brand develops at retail, we would need a brand leader. Rick and I have…