OWLee has added Laura Hutchinson-Sax as an independent sales rep for the New England territory. She will work with both retail and contract accounts. Serving the outdoor industry for 19 years, primarily in upstate New York, she recently expanded her territory to include the New England states. Prior to that, she worked in a furniture store as a designer.

“Laura’s experience and personal reputation make her a perfect fit for OW Lee in this region,” says Brenda Pereyda, sales manager for OW Lee. “We are thrilled to have her as part of the OW Lee team.”

OWLee awarded Calessa “Cali” Gomez with the CustomerWhisperer Award for 2021 for her outstanding service and dedication to the OW Lee mission. Gomez joinedOWLee in 2011 as a customer service rep. She has been a rep for just about every sales territory and enjoys building great relationships with retailers and other reps.

“Cali is great in her customer service position,” says Terri Rogers, VP of sales. “She has a great rapport with her customers and sales reps. She works hard to develop her working relationships and it reflects in the service she provides. Over the years, I have heard…

OWLee presentedCharlie Smith with its Sales Rep of the Year award for 2021 atCasualMarketChicago. Smith has been with OW lee for a long time, working alongside his father before taking over the Southern California and southern Nevada territory in 2016.

“Charlie has grown to be not just a great salesperson, but a great extension of customer service in this time of unforeseen difficulty,” says Brenda Pereyda, sales manager for OW lee. “He has stepped up and given our customer service help during our move to Texas.”

OW Lee’s Sales Rep of the Year award is decided collectively by…

David Fraser has joined FPI Fireplace Products International (Regency Fireplace Products) as president, replacing Glen Spinelli, who retired after a 26-year tenure. Spinelli was responsible for reshaping FPI’s go-to-market sales, distribution, and marketing strategies, ultimately leading the company to triple in size. Spinelli will remain an active member of FPI’s board of directors.

Fraser joins FPI with over 17 years of executive leadership experience in the residential, commercial, construction, and building materials industries across Canada and the United States. He has held executive and non-executive roles with manufacturing companies such as Rockwell Automation, Schneider Electric, United States Gypsum Corp.,…

ScanCom International’s CEO, Stig Maasbøl, was announced the winner in the category “Green Solutions” at the 2021 HRH Crown Prince Frederik International Business Awards. ScanCom, which is part of Lars Larsen Group, has become one of the dominating actors in the global market for design, development, and responsible production of outdoor furniture.

The award recognizes a person that has successfully driven and implemented initiatives that contribute to a better environmental effort, through presenting an outstanding effort in promoting sustainable Danish products, services, and values worldwide.

Maasbøl earned the award based on his involvement in driving projects of sustainability…

Napoleon Products will be supplying the outdoor kitchen, fireplaces, and the entire HVAC system for one of the exhibition homes at the International Builders’ Show scheduled for Feb 8-10, 2022, in Orlando. According to Garry Scott, vice president of marketing, Napoleon is partnering with Hardwick General Contracting and KNB and Associates on this home because “the mission of the home aligns with that of Napoleon’s by focusing on sustainability, quality, and innovation in products and services.”

Exhibition homes are a prime opportunity to show products in a real-world setting, enabling attendees to see how everyday living can be enhanced.…

POLYWOOD, the longest-established manufacturer of outdoor furniture made from genuine POLYWOOD lumber, is expanding into new markets with the launch of its PWDesigner Series. Entrepreneur Magazine and The Spruce both ranked POLYWOODmakers of “The Best Adirondack Chairs of 2021.” PWDesigner Series aims to expand the heritage brand’s profile beyond its flagship product.

“Our company has thrived for three decades because we’re committed to continual innovation,” says Doug Rassi, POLYWOOD founder and CEO. “PWDesigner Series is born out of that culture to do things that have never been done before with the objective of creating beautiful collections made from genuine…

LOS ANGELES – The Hearth, Patio & BBQ Association’s Pacific Affiliate is creating a regional Hearth Technician Training Program (HTTP) to serve the urgent and growing needs of retail, distributor, and service members. They are seeking financial support for this program which is rooted in physical training modules used to develop hands-on knowledge and expertise in gas, wood, pellet, and electrical hearth technologies.

“Our goal is to enhance proper installation and servicing of these varied technologies toward safe work in customers’ homes,” notes Jay Hanson, Pacific’s board president. “Currently it’s only offered very sporadically and in other regions.”

“This…