Meet the Team
Dedicated to Your Success
The IHFRA team is comprised of staff, executives, and a board of directors who work together with the common mission of helping furniture industry representatives thrive.Â
Ray Allegrezza
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Allegrezza, the former Editor in Chief at Furniture/Today is well-versed in all aspects of this industry and even before joining IHFRA was a staunch advocate of the independent home furnishings rep. When he’s not at work, he can be found jamming his guitar at open mic night or playing gigs with one of his bands. He enjoys spending time with his family and tinkering with his Packard.
Steve Allegrezza
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Steve entered the home furnishings industry in 2013 after spending five years working at Apple, Inc. He’s had the privilege of working with some incredible companies including Summer Classics, Magnussen Home and ManWah, where his focus was E-Commerce growth and development. Since joining IHFRA in 2020, Steve has been instrumental in providing direction for the group’s digital strategies and initiatives. He is passionate about building relationships, problem solving and utilizing technology to help streamline processes. Outside of work Steve enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids, playing hockey and volunteering with his church’s youth.
Bonnie Wallace
OPERATIONS MANAGER
Bonnie, a native High Pointer, has grown up in and around the furniture industry, and loves being a part of it. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from High Point College (University) with a concentration in Home Furnishings Marketing. When she isn’t keeping the books, helping members with benefits, or any other task for IHFRA, she loves gardening, jigsaw puzzles, sewing, and time spent with family and friends.
John Pinion
CHAIRMAN
John holds a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law and an MBA, from Thunderbird, School of Global Management. He resides in Cedar Park, Texas, with his wife, Michelle, and their two boys, Johnny and Austin. With over two decades of experience in territory management for interior and exterior furnishings, Pinion brings his extensive knowledge and passion for the furniture industry and its representatives to IHFRA.
Harrison Rose
PRESIDENT
Harrison received his Bachelors of Business Administration from University of Wisconsin-Madison–School of Business. He has a commercial real estate background, but transitioned into the furniture business after the Great Recession. Over a decade after making this transition, he is now a seasoned Manufacturer’s Representative, working with multiple supply lines in both the residential and contract distribution channels. Harrison lives in the suburbs of Chicago with his wife Abby, and his three children,Georgia, Theo, and Sam.
Wendy Buzzard
1ST VICE PRESIDENT
I am experienced in selling and marketing directly to influencers, champions and decision makers. I build lasting relationships through identifying needs and then providing excellent service and communication.I have a strong desire to succeed through growing every territory’s sales. I enjoy coaching my team and helping them succeed in all that they do. I possess strong organization and territory planning skills to guide my team in goal setting and managing their business. Specialties: I Like to build relationships with customers, sales reps and vendors. I like to find solutions that solve needs. I like to work with people and companies that have a vision and values that motivate their business success.
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Kimberly Wheat
SECRETARY/
TREASURER
Kimberly Wheat, president of WB Media Group and Revolutionary Retail based in Greensboro, NC, has been in the sales and marketing side of the industry for over 20 years. WB Media works with independent retailers throughout the U.S. offering training, guidance and continuing support with advertising and marketing, specifically helping to guide retailers through the ever-changing digital terrain.
Sam Simonton
MEMBERSHIP CHAIR
Sam’s Company, Sales.Furniture, has one mission in mind: To make a clear path forward for e-commerce and B&M offerings.
Through the development of private label brands and products for manufacturers and importers, they strive to diversify the e-commerce and B&M Offerings. Sam’s expertise in business operations, marketing, and sales, as a manufacturers agent, a tech start-up founder, and a creative idea-maker has been instrumental in helping her to achieve that goal.
Sam lives in Vancouver, Canada with her daughter and husband.
Ed Myers
EMERITUS
I have been a Board Member of IHFRA since 2020 and I was fortunate to have served as IHFRA’s 71st President in 2009. I have remained active with IHFRA, as a Board of Director, plus I continue to advise IHFRA with their finances. I am currently employed at Jackson Furniture Industries, as a Vice President of Sales. Prior to that I spent 14 years with Broyhill Furniture and Zenith Global Logistics. All total I have been associated with the Furniture Industry for almost 50 years.
Mike Root
EMERITUS
Hi, I’m Mike Root , president of Furniture Sales of Mid-America (www.furnituresales.biz), a furniture wholesale company representing multiple factories serving retailers in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain states. I was honored with the IHFRA Distinguished Service Award, am on the board of directors of the International Home Furnishings Representative’s Assn. and previously served six years on the executive committee. Our agency was started by my father in 1963 as a multi-line furniture rep firm. Over the years we have represented some of the more reputable firms in the home furnishings space. My father retired in 2020 at the age of 86, so those are big shoes to fill. I am a lifelong furniture guy with past experience in retail, rental and wholesale. I am blessed to have my son Jay now working in the business along with 5 other associates.
Todd Gerdes
DISTRICT CHAIR-
SOUTH
Todd Gerdes resides in Conway, AR., and has spent over 45 years in the Home Furnishings Industry. Todd started in his family’s furniture store where he learned all aspects of the retail business, and eventually became a retail sales associate. In 1984 he became a manufacturer’s representative and has worked with multiple store chains, independent stores, and stores in the Top 100 across multiple states.
He and his wife Lisa married in 1987 and have two kids and three grandchildren. They love spending time with their family, traveling, and antiquing together.
Todd has been a member and officer of the Arkansas Road Runners since 1999, providing help and direction for retailers and other representatives. Todd has received numerous sales awards and positions throughout his career and is a member of IHFRA, the Arkansas Home Furnishings Association, the Arkansas Society of Association Executives (ASAE), and the Arkansas Society of Professional Lobbyists.
Tommy Leflein
DISTRICT CHAIR-
NORTHEAST
Tommy is a REP’S REP! Almost 50 years on road with biggest name brand companies like Thomasville, Stratford, Pennsylvania House, Rowe, Lexington and ART Furniture. Also Vice President of Sales for Berkline, Nourison and others. I was president and chairman of Ihfra and now district chairman of IHFRA. I am currently Vice President of GFMA of Ny/Nj. I was also President and chairman of Tri State furniture organization of Pennsylvania. Currently a sales rep for ART Furniture covering 8 states including all of New England, NY and Nj.
Neil Friedman
DISTRICT CHAIR –
WEST
Friedman has devoted 57years to our industry and began his career in the 1960’s working in the mattress factory his family owned. He remained active in mattress manufacturing from 1972-2000, then went on to be an outside sales rep for Ashley Furniture. In 2004, he joined Primo International as a sales manager and is currently in an ambassador role for Primo.
Friedman has been a staunch and loyal supporter of IHFRA on both a national and local level, having served as President of the Home Furnishing Representative Guild of Southern California. His work in the industry along with his humanitarian outreach initiatives has made him the recipient of numerous awards, including the Rudy Sudy teltemeir award, the Charles B Costar award, City of Hope’s Volunteer of the Year, and others.
When not helping IHFRA, Friedman enjoys spending time with his wife, Sharon, of 57 years, his two children, Susan and Adam, and his four grandchildren in addition to mentoring, volunteering, traveling, and reading.
Lane Brundieck
DISTRICT CHAIR-
MIDWEST
Prior to becoming an independent sales rep in 2011, Brundieck started as a retail sales associate in 1994 and worked his way up to the store manager position. Working independently and as part of a team, he has developed relationships with both smaller independents and now with larger retailers in the Midwest.
His belief in the dramatic changes in the home furnishings industry along and the value of IHFRA supports the need for integrity, comradery and cooperation among fellow members, ensuring integrity and an outcome that is positive for our customers, the dealers.
Brundieck currently serves as vice president of the NCHFRA (North Central HFRA) andis working to expand and update the chapter.
Tammy Nagem
ADJUNCT
Tammy Nagem has been with the High Point Market Authority since its formation 20 years ago. She has held many operational roles for the largest home furnishings market in the world and in January 2023 she will assume the President/CEO role. She has been Chief Operating Officer with responsibility for overseeing daily operations of theHigh Point Market, including transportation, security, entertainment, registration and all aspects of guest services since 2011. During her tenure at the Market Authority, the High Point Market has expanded its services to Market guests and put increased focus on customer service. She has made significant operational improvements so that the logistics of the show are effortless and the concentration is placed on the real focus of Market–new products and trends in home furnishings. Tammy enjoys being involved in her community and has served on many boards and advisory councils. She is a long-time member and past President of the Kiwanis Club of High Point and currently serves on the board for Piedmont Triad Ambulance & Rescue and High Point University’s Advisory Council for Home Furnishings & Design. Tammy holds a Master of Science Degree from Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia. In 2011 she received WithIt’sFuture Leader Award. She was also named High Point’s Business Woman of the Year in 2012 and last year was named to the Triad Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business.Â
We would love to hear from you
Whether you are a long time associate or a prospective IHFRA member, we would love to have you stop by the office and say hello. While you are here, grab a free breakfast, pick up some goodies, and chat with one of our staff about ways you can best be using your IHFRA benefits to save you thousands of dollars.Â
