Casual Creations is the first outdoor-furniture manufacturer to be certified with the Made in USA Certified® (USA-C® ) seal of certification (with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office). Made in USA Certified, Inc., is the nation’s leading third-party, independent certification company for the Made in USA claim. Made in USA Certified operates under its own authority as an independent, nongovernmental, nonpartisan organization.

Casual Creations has undergone a full supply-chain audit by an independent team that has verified that all or virtually all of the core components of the certified product lines were manufactured (or originated) in the United States…

Cal Spas recently donated to the 21st Annual Dinner & Auction for The Child Development Center at Fairplex on September 27, 2012, in Pomona, California. The Child Development Center hosts an annual event in an effort to provide local children in need of high-quality developmental skills with the proper training and preparation for school. The center held a live and silent auction at the event to raise money toward its annual budget.

Casey Loyd, president of Cal Spas, says, “This donation was the perfect opportunity for our company to help the children in our local community. Since the goal…

Hart & Cooley, Inc., has hired RoanDelVero to be its new vice president ofwholesale sales and marketing.Previously, DelVero was the vice presidentof sales and marketing at TheTapco Group, a Michigan manufacturerand marketer of building products.He has also held management positionsat Koch Industries, Chicago Faucet,and Black & Decker. DelVero bringsover 25 years of sales and marketingexperience to Hart & Cooley, as well asan established record of success andcustomer focus.

Hart & Cooley is a leading manufacturerof air-distribution and ventingproducts for heating, plumbing, and airconditioningsystems. Founded in 1901,Hart & Cooley manufactures a widevariety of products, including grilles, registers,diffusers, flexible air duct, gasventing…

An educational summit on increasingprofitability will be presented byJerry Isenhour and Hope Stevenson forhearth retailers, contractors, and chimneysweeps. Sponsored by OlympiaChimney Supply, the three-day programwill be held in Sturbridge, Massachusetts(January 15–17, 2013); Dayton, Ohio(January 29–31); Harrisburg,Pennsylvania (February 5–7);Greensville, South Carolina (February12–14); and Madison, Wisconsin(February 19–21).

The cost is $399 per person (for thefirst registrant from a company) and$299 per person (for every additional registrantfrom the same company). Registerby December 15, 2012, to receive $50 offthe registration fee. A complimentarylunch will be provided. For more information,contact Barbara Andricks:bandricks@olympiachimney.com.

The Companion Group, a design andmanufacturing company makinggrilling, pizza-making, and other cookingand outdoor-living products, has returned toits roots by moving its office to Berkeley,California. The Companion Group wasfounded in Berkeley in 1984.

Its beginnings were small, as foundersChuck Adams and Doug Fielding startedout selling chimney-style charcoal startersby visiting local retailers, door to door.Eventually, the company grew into the familyof brands that it is today, with lines suchas Charcoal Companion®, StevenRaichlen Best of Barbecue™, pizzacraft®,and Planet Barbecue™. As the companyevolved, it based its offices in Berkeley,Oakland, and Emeryville, California. SinceOctober 2012, however, it has once againcalled Berkeley home.

Chuck Adams, CEO…

Winston Furniture, a division of Brown JordanInternational and one of the leading brands inoutdoor furniture (located in Haleyville,Alabama, since 1975), recognized Miles Fenn asthe company’s 2012 Sales Representative of theYear. The award was presented to Fenn atWinston’s annual sales meeting, held duringthe Chicago International CasualFurniture & Accessories Market™. Fenn isa seasoned representative in the casual-furnitureindustry and has been a Winstonsales representative for two years, coveringthe south Florida market.

Steve Herenlip, vice president of sales forWinston Furniture, says, “Miles has garneredtremendous support and revenue for theWinston brand. We are very proud to haveMiles represent Winston Furniture.”

OW Lee, manufacturer of high-end outdoorfurniture, firepits, and accessories, receivedthe International Casual Furnishings Association(ICFA) Manufacturer of the Year Award at theICFA Awards reception in September 2012. Theevent took place concurrently with the ChicagoInternational Casual Furniture & AccessoriesMarket™.

Terri Lee Rogers, co-owner and president ofOW Lee, says, “OW Lee is very honored toreceive this prestigious award from ourretailers. This award touches each and every oneof our employees, and we thank them for theirhard work and dedication to our products and thecompany overall. We are so lucky to be a part ofsuch a great industry.”

OW Lee was selected as the Manufacturer…

Dobbins & Son, Inc., was recognized asthe Gensun Casual Living 2012 SalesRepresentative of the Year for providing outstandingsales and service. Jan Trinkley, vice president ofsales and marketing for Gensun, says, “GrayDobbins and his team are professional and hardworking,and they go the extra mile in support ofthe dealer and the company. Gray exemplifieswhat an excellent sales representative should possess—strong ethics and relationships with theircustomers, along with excellent follow-up, training,care, and communication. Adding salesgrowth of 55% over the previous year, Dobbins &Son earned the award with honors.”