Welcome to our weekly roundup of employee comings and goings and other people-related news across the home furnishings industry. Here’s the latest:
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One day after her one-year anniversary with the company, industry veteran Caroline Hipple has confirmed that she is no longer with Hooker Furnishings.
Hipple, who joined Hooker in April 2024 as chief creative officer, told sister publication Furniture Today that she and at least seven other employees received the news of their terminations earlier this week.
Hooker officials offered insight into the decision, noting, “In response to continued headwinds in the home furnishings market, we’ve undertaken a strategic realignment to better position the organization for current business realities. As part of this realignment, we’ve made several personnel changes, including the departures of Caroline Hipple, Becky Weber and Scot Kanaly, along with certain supporting staff.”
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In an effort to strengthen and support retail partnerships, enhance the customer experience across all channels and elevate its brand, Kuka Home has announced several key promotions and a new hire in its marketing and merchandising teams.
Mary Ballard, who joined Kuka in 2023, has been promoted to senior director of merchandising. She leads design forecasting, showroom planning and merchandising execution across Kuka’s collections. Ballard reports to Sergio Barrios, executive vice president of merchandising and product development.
Christina Morrison, with Kuka since 2020, has been promoted to director of marketing. She directs the company’s North American marketing strategy, while overseeing a growing team and managing all aspects of marketing, including brand strategy, campaigns, retail marketing, showroom presentation, customer engagement initiatives and public relations. Additionally, she plays an active role in guiding Kuka Home‘s philanthropic efforts, including its ongoing partnership with City of Hope. She reports to Matt Harrison, president of Kuka Home, North America.
Jessica Marley has been promoted to senior marketing coordinator. A graduate of High Point University, Marley joined Kuka in 2022 and has played a key role in enhancing showroom presentation while supporting marketing and merchandising efforts for national retail accounts. She reports to Morrison.
In a newly created position, Jessica Best Jones has been named channel marketing manager. She joins Kuka from Hanesbrands. In her new role, she will be responsible for developing and executing annual marketing plans tailored to key national retail partners. She will oversee omnichannel campaigns, lead digital strategy, manage private-label programs and drive influencer and social media efforts. She reports to Morrison
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Veteran furniture designer Charles “Chuck” Clarence Cain passed away on March 18, two days shy of his 95th birthday.
Cain was born in Allodium Township, Kansas, on March 20, 1930, to Milo and Minnie Cain. After earning a degree in design from Washburn University, Cain joined the Marine Corps in 1954, where he was a captain in the Air Defense Artillery.
After leaving the service, Cain attended the Kendall School of Design and then began his career with Ernest L. Swarts Design Studio in Rockford, Ill. He moved to Morganton, N.C., in 1961 and began designing furniture for companies including Henredon, Drexel-Heritage, American of Martinsville, Stanley Furniture, National of Mount Airy, Lexington Furniture and Thomasville Furniture.
