Karla Jones

Karla Jones, Executive Director, has been associated with the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture for more than 20 years. She met Mr. Bienenstock as an intern in 1987 while selling books during the High Point Furniture market. She is a graduate of Randolph Community College with a degree in Interior Design. Karla serves on the Board of Directors for ISFD (International Society of Furniture Designers) and the Advisory Board for Interior Design at Randolph Community College.

Dudley Moore, Jr.

Board President

Dudley Moore, Jr. is president and co-owner of Otto & Moore, Inc. Furniture Designers. Founded in High Point in 1960, Otto & Moore is one of the largest independent furniture design firms in the home furnishings industry, with clients manufacturing product in the United States, and all over the world. Moore is a graduate of NC State University, with an Industrial Engineering degree in Furniture Manufacturing and Management. He has been honored, on numerous occasions, with Pinnacle awards by the American Society of Furniture Designers. The Pinnacle Award is given in recognition of outstanding design in a particular category. In addition to serving on the Bienenstock board of directors, he serves on the board of the American Society of Furniture Designers, where he is past president and current chairman of the board. Moore has also served on the boards of Westchester Country Day School, Developmental Day Care, and has twice served as a vestry member at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Dudley resides in High Point with his wife, Mary-Lynn, and has five children.

Brian Simpson

Board Vice-President

Brian Simpson is Vice President – Creative Director for Alderman Company. He develops brands, campaigns, ads, and websites for a variety of clients ranging from entrepreneurial start-ups to household brand names. Alderman’s unique selling proposition is its ability to take projects from concept to final media with in-house resources. This approach means that Simpson is involved with clients throughout the entire creative process necessitating a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to build a brand. He manages a strong team of art directors, graphic designers, programmers, and imaging professionals. Before he was Creative Director, Simpson founded the company’s digital imaging and web development departments, critical links in Alderman’s full-service continuum of services. Prior to joining the company, he worked in advertising production and high-end digital retouching; positions which he credits with instilling an acute attention to detail as well as the blending of the technology and artistry involved in creating strong advertising images and layouts. He holds a Bachelor’s in Communication Arts from East Carolina University where he developed a love of all things design oriented, and a specific interest in mid-century modern architecture and furniture design.

William P. Wood

Board Treasurer

William Pennuel (Penn) Wood is a graduate of the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and has had an outstanding career in the furniture industry, serving as Vice President of Woodmark Originals from 1975-1994. Mr. Wood is Chairman of the Mary & Elliott Wood Foundation Organizational Grants Committee. He is a lifelong resident of High Point and serves on the Capitol Foundation Board, High Point Arts Council, and is a NC Shakespeare Festival Board Member. Mr. Wood serves on the financial committee of the Bienenstock Furniture Library Board, as well as the Museum of History Associates, Raleigh, NC and the Davidson College Parents Advisory Council.

Sarah Stevenson

Inspired by the organization’s mission, Sarah Stevenson joined the Bienenstock Furniture Library board and executive committee in January 2021. Sarah believes great design makes High Point an industry leader worldwide. A two-time graduate of High Point University, Sarah credits her extraordinary education for a successful career launch. In 2015, upon completion of the University’s BA to MA program in Strategic Communications, Sarah was hired by the High Point Chamber of Commerce, where she spent five years building community relationships and helping small businesses. Today, Sarah is the Manger of Economic Development for the City of High Point, focusing on business expansion and recruitment. Across the community, Sarah is board secretary for Communities in Schools of High Point and is a member to High Point University’s Nido Qubein School of Communication Advisory Board and Young Alumni Council.

Christi Spangle

Christi Spangle, Co-CEO of Barbour Spangle Design, leads a dynamic team of designers and visual merchandisers creating award-winning spaces for home furnishings and decor showrooms, retail stores, corporate offices, educational facilities, luxury homes, clubhouses and multi-family properties. Throughout 30 years as an interior design professional, her work illustrates her eye for the creative and a laser focus on the details that drive exceptional results.

Christi is a graduate of Randolph Community College, a professional member of ASID (American Society of Interior Designers), and a certified member of the prestigious NCIDQ (National Council for Interior Design Qualification). She is currently the Chair and Lead Judge for the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library Design Competition. She sits on various school’s review committees helping design students develop compelling project portfolios for job interviews and career advancement. Further, Christi passionately works with programs to eradicate food insecurity in her community, and is actively involved with several area non-profits and governmental entities.

Jane Dagmi

Jane Dagmi is a career storyteller and educator whose intention is to forge thoughtful connection in most everything she does. As the Managing Director of High Point x Design (HPxD), Jane leads an organization – comprised of showrooms, brands, artists, makers, and industry partners – that envisions High Point as a year-round destination for creativity and design and creates unique opportunities for engagement with designers, student groups, as well as the community. For four years prior, she was the Editor in Chief of Designers Today, who rescued the magazine from demise and turned it into a highly respected and valued industry publication.

Russell Bienenstock

Russell Bienenstock is Editorial Director and CEO of Furniture World Magazine. Founded in 1870, Furniture World along with its website www.furninfo.com provide hands on, in-depth retail marketing, finance, operations, sales management and sales education information to retail home furnishings executives. He is the author of 25 educational guides that cover furniture product knowledge, styles/interior design topics and has edited books on furniture sales. Bienenstock earned an undergraduate degree at Cornell University and an MBA from Duke’s Fuqua School. He serves as the current president of the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library, is Vice President of the Greater Metropolitan Furnishings Association, is on City of Hope’s NHFI Board, and is a member of the Legacy Board/ Nominating Committee for the Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation. He’s received awards for his contributions from City of Hope, WithIt (Women In the Home Furnishings Industry), the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association and the Greater Metropolitan Furnishings Association.

David Blair

David Blair founded the Saxapahaw, NC based marketing consulting firm Welcome Ideas, LLC in 2022. In his 30-plus year career in marketing, he has worked in brand development, strategic development, marketing planning, research, copywriting, and content management. In the home furnishings industry, his clients have included the High Point Market Authority, as well as a number of contract and residential furniture manufacturers, design firms, and industry associations. He has also worked with clients in the consumer packaged goods, financial services, business consulting, automotive services, and higher education sectors. Through Welcome Ideas, he serves as the executive director for the International Society of Furniture Designers, the professional association that presents and promotes the industry’s most prestigious product design awards, the Pinnacle Awards, as well the leading awards program for designer-makers, INNOVATION + DESIGN.

Patti Carpenter

Patti is Principal of carpenter + company/Trendscope and an award winning Creative Director in globally sourced home décor, personal accessories, fragrance and gifts. In her extensive experience in product design and development, she has designed, sourced and created strong Private Label collections for brands including Bloomingdales, Sferra, Neiman Marcus, Crate & Barrel. The Phillips Collection, ABC Carpet and Home, Yankee Candle, Donna Karan Urban Zen and Ralph Lauren. As a Micro-Enterprise specialist with U.S. presidential recognition for domestic and international expertise in artisan development, small producer and entrepreneurial training and economic development, Patti achieved success in international sourcing and wholesale, creating innovative products for her eponymous international home textile brand, carpenter + company. As a merchandising and color + trend forecasting expert, she has traveled and worked in fifty-seven countries and has spoken and written on Color + Trend and Design around the globe. In addition, Patti works as a trend consultant with Pantone and is the Global Trend Ambassador for Maison & Objet in America and Paris. She is an active board member of SERRV International.

Sumner ‘Sandy’ Finch

Sandy founded, owned and operated his own, high-end upholstery company until he sold it to Theodore Alexander in 2012. Since then he has served on numerous boards, with an emphasis on finance. His father was Furniture Hall of Fame member Tom A. Finch, and his grandfather was T. Austin Finch, who was the son of the founder of Thomasville Chair Company, Thomas J. Finch. Thomasville Chair Company became Thomasville Furniture Industries in the early 1960’s

Danny Davis

Danny Davis is a third generation family member at Davis Furniture. He joined the company in 1975, with a major focus on Manufacturing and Product Development. He served as Vice President of Manufacturing until 1996 when he became President of Davis Furniture. Davis graduated from Wingate College with an Associate Degree in 1973 and attended NC State University in 1975, receiving a Bachelor Degree in Industrial Design. He is married to Karen Davis and they have two children, Ashley and Brian, who have now become the fourth generation of the Davis family to join the company. Danny is an active board member of the Small Manufacturer’s Round Table and participates in many local business and charitable organizations. Presently, he serves on several local boards: Trustee of Wingate University, High Point YMCA, Salvation Army of High Point, and the Board of Directors of High Point Bank and Trust.

Nancy Fire

An avid globetrotter, Nancy calls New York City and East Quogue NY home, but always keeps her finger on the pulse of global trends through her design company, Design Works International, a lifestyle company in NYC, that serves as both a design think tank and a working studio where textiles, home furnishings, and fashion come to life. She has 30-plus years of experience, was formerly the Design Director for HGTV and HGTV HOME, and recently launched her latest endeavor, Nancyfire.com Nancy offers her creative and strategic services to brands in the industry including innovative assistance to companies by creatively growing their business through various design/product practices. For 2020 I have the honor of being a part of The High Point Market Style Spotters, home fashion leaders who showcase the top new styles of each Market where my focus is sustainability. I am a certified GREEN leader of the Sustainable Furnishings Council in all aspects of sustainable home furnishings including environmental concerns, consumer understanding, components, design principles, and store operations. Sustainable Council is a non-profit that supports sustainable practices by raising awareness of the sustainability issue, assisting companies with adopting practices and providing a symbol of insurance for consumers.

Caroline Hipple

Caroline is a born Virginian, an owner of a long career bringing beautiful things to the world in a business fashion. Atlanta, Georgia is now her home, though she commutes for her role as President of Norwalk Furniture to Ohio weekly. Prior to the role as President of Norwalk, Caroline founded HB2 Resources with a long-time partner to provide start-up, turn-around and brand advisory consulting to the home furnishings industry. Two previous leadership roles, as President of 72 store retail chain, Storehouse Furniture and EVP of 250 store This End Up furniture prepared Caroline and her partner to provide these consulting services. Caroline and 3 co-workers in both those companies chronicled their experiences promoting a “Culture of Caring” in their 2014 book, A Pathway to Profit (Amazon) which shares tangible methods for success in business by putting people first in the profit picture. Creating cultures that empower people while growing businesses has been a lifelong passion for Caroline. In addition, fostering opportunities for women and girls to learn leadership skills has been a focus of Caroline’s board work and philanthropy. Board service for Caroline includes 7 years on the Board of Governors at St. Catherine’s school in Richmond , Virginia (the only non-alumni, non-parent board member ever in the 100 year old school history), 4 years at the Atlanta Girls School, 20 years (And Founding board member)  at WithIt (Women in the Home Industries Today), the first female board member on the Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation board, and the Cathedral Counseling Center at St. Philip, For profit board service includes Guildmaster , a former home accents supplier to the home furnishings industry. Caroline’s education includes a BA in the History of Art from Hollins University, Executive studies at Wharton Evening School, various ongoing development business coursed, and is a graduate of the Education for Ministry program (Sewanee Seminary through the Episcopal Church). Caroline is devoted to her 6 Godchildren and three nieces and loves nature, golf, labs and swimming and adventuring around the world.

Gary Inman

Gary Inman devotes his career to advancing the art of fine living in the design of luxury resorts, hotels, homes, and furnishings. As president of Gary Inman Interior Design, his work for clients such as the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Pinehurst Resort, Duke University, Elm Court, the Emily Thorn Vanderbilt Estate, Hilton Hotels, and many of today’s most respected corporate leaders has been recognized with 18 ASID-IIDA awards, and the Elevate Award as the Top Luxury Hospitality Designer.

A lifelong student of the traditions of design, Gary holds an MA in Art History from The School of the Arts at Virginia Commonwealth University, and completed his coursework and exams for a PhD in architectural history at the University of Virginia. This academic aspect of his education was enhanced by two hands-on experiences. Studying the architecture and decorative arts of the Victorian Era at the Victorian Society London Summer School on a Forbes Foundation Scholarship, he learned that the best design reaches beyond the building and the shape and furnishing of its spaces to embrace the artwork, textiles, finishes, decorations, and even the utilitarian items of everyday life, before moving outward to the garden and the landscape, leaving no detail unconsidered in its quest to realize a cohesive vision. Attending the Attingham Summer School on a Royal Oak Foundation Fellowship, he met with the owners, head gardeners, and curatorial staff of some of the finest English country houses and seats to see how an enduring design intertwines with and supports the lives of the people who enjoy and maintain it. From these experiences he gained the belief that great design is not the work of a single author but the result of an ongoing, multidisciplinary creative collaboration.

Convinced of the foundational value of the traditions and history of design, Gary participates on the board of the Bienenstock Furniture Library to preserve and expand its position as the place where working designers and students of design can draw inspiration from the greatest minds to have graced our field.

Libby Langdon

Libby Langdon is an Interior designer, author, product designer and makeover television personality, as well as the creative force behind New York City-based design firm, Libby Interiors, Inc. She is fast becoming known for her growing collections of branded home furnishings for Crystorama Lighting, Bradburn Home accessories, outdoor furniture for North Cape and indoor/ outdoor rugs for KAS Rugs. Libby’s interior designs and home products have been featured in leading shelter magazines: Architectural Digest, Traditional Home, House Beautiful, Better Homes and Gardens, Hampton’s Cottages and Gardens and is a contributing editor to House Beautiful magazine. Langdon has been a regular makeover design expert on NBC’s TODAY Show, HGTV’s Small Space – Big Style, The View, The Rachael Ray Show, FOX’s Design Invasion and NBC’s Open House. She’s written a book, Libby Langdon’s Small Space Solutions, and travels across the country presenting informative seminars to consumers, designers, and retailers about all things design.

For more information go to www.libbylangdon.com

For press inquiries contact LibbyPR@libbylangdon.com – 212-501-0785

Leslie Newby

Leslie Newby is a communications professional with expertise in the residential and commercial furnishings and design sectors. She’s the founder and CEO of WorkTheBrand, a custom PR and marketing communications agency connecting progressive brands with their target audiences since 2005. Leslie and her team are architects of ideas and words that help brands build engagement and motivate customer behaviors. She nurtures long-term partnerships with participatory clients, contributing her strategic, disciplined approach to the planning, execution, and reporting of wide-ranging PR and marketing activities. Through all, Leslie exercises her fundamental belief that communications rooted in empathy drive and sustain healthy business-to-business ecosystems.

In the CEO role, Leslie is guided by the principles of professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement. She’s built a strong team by fostering a healthy workplace culture based on mutual respect and ideals. At WorkTheBrand, Leslie nurtures long-term client-partnerships with legacy brands like Ultrasuede® and the High Point Market Authority (HPMA). She and her team have additionally enjoyed success working on high profile projects such as the Badgley Mischka Home brand launch and the multi-line relaunch of the Florence Broadhurst brand in the U.S.

Jason Phillips

Jason Phillips is internationally renowned in the furniture industry for his fresh contemporary designs. His work has been published in dozens of design and lifestyle magazines as well as hundreds of blogs. Most recently, he was honored at the 21st Annual ARTS Awards as Product Designer of the Year, the youngest ever recipient of this prestigious award. In late 2009 he won the VERANDA magazine’s inaugural ‘The Art of Design’ Award for his body of work in the ‘Trade Secrets’ category. Jason if VP/Creative Director for The Phillips Collection in High Point, North Carolina. In 2007 he founded Jason Phillips Designs, a brand that serves as a conduit for his out-of-the-box design concepts and freelance work. He is an ASFD board.

Elizabeth Scruggs

As the mid-state area’s only female general contractor who is also an interior designer, Elizabeth’s design + build firm, Superior Construction and Design, has been in business since 2000. Elizabeth and her staff provide complete home project management for busy working professionals with their 15- step process in new construction, remodeling, and design.

An award- winning builder and designer, Elizabeth has been a member of the High Point Market Blog Tour, a speaker at both KBIS and High Point Market, a guest on several industry podcasts, a top Designhound member, and is a published author.

Elizabeth lives in the Nashville area with her husband, twin girls, and young son. When not on a job site or around the planning table in her office, Elizabeth can be found reading, gardening, or traveling with her family.

John Turpin

John Turpin is the founding Dean of the School of Art and Design and Professor of Interior Design at High Point University. He has taught both undergraduate and graduate level courses in interior design. Before coming to HPU, he was chair of the Department of Interior Design at Washington State University, where he participated in a number of interdisciplinary courses and activities at the Interdisciplinary Design Institute in Spokane. Turpin has a Ph.D. in Design History, Theory, Criticism from Arizona State University. His research focuses on women and the development of the interior design profession and has been published in numerous journals and books. He is a member of the Interior Design Educators Council’s College of Fellows, a founding editor of Interiors: Design, Architecture, Culture and the current editor-in-chief of the Journal of Interior Design. He is currently serving on North Carolina’s Department of Public Instruction advisory board to provide guidance on the interior design curriculum for public schools and on the international editorial board of a new book series, “Designing Interiors,” to be published by Lund Humphries, a British publishing company that specializes in art and design resources.

Comer Wear

Comer Shuford Wear is a third-generation family member at Rock House Farms Family of Brands which includes Century Furniture, Highland House, Hancock & Moore, Jessica Charles, Maitland Smith, Cabot Wrenn, Hickory Chair and Pearson. Having grown up in the furniture industry, Comer first joined the company as a Sales Representative for Century, growing the territory consistently for five years. In 2009 she came back in house as Director of Marketing and was promoted to VP of Marketing in 2013. Comer graduated from Princeton University with a BA in English and Certificate in Russian Language and Literature. There she was also co-captain for the Princeton women’s rugby team and selected as a first team All American. Comer is on the Board of Directors for Rock House Farm Family of Brands, RHF Steele, Bienenstock Furniture Library, and the Hamilton Wrenn Design District Association. She is actively involved in the Princeton Alumni Schools Committee interviewing area applicants as well as her children’s schools Greensboro Day School and The Piedmont School fundraising efforts. Comer is a Girl Scout Troop leader and member of the Greensboro Children’s Museums Development Committee. She lives in Greensboro with her husband, Ralph, and three children.

Chip Wright II

Felix E. (Chip) Wright II is a graduate of William Jewell College where he earned a BS in Business Management. Wright began working at Leggett & Platt in a training program and has worked his way up to Group VP Sales, overseeing several product lines, handling national accounts and the upper Midwest for the Home Furniture Group. He serves on the Jasper County Sheltered Facilities Board – helping disabled people. Chip also serves on the board of directors at the Bienenstock Furniture Library.

Anthony Ascencio

Anthony Ascencio is a student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, earning his BFA in Interior Architecture with a minor in History. Aside from serving as a student representative on the Bienenstock Board of Directors, Anthony is a student lead for the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiative within the Interior Architecture department which is intended to celebrate diversity and cultivate an inclusive and equitable community of designers. He also serves as the service chair for the UNCG chapter of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA). Looking towards the future Anthony plans on researching and working in historic preservation as a means of sustainability

Barton Bienenstock

Barton Bienenstock joined Furniture World Magazine, the oldest, continuously published trade magazine in the United States, in 1956. Throughout his career as publisher, Barton focused the magazine on providing practical retail tools and techniques that have helped a whole generation of furniture retailer readers to survive and thrive. Widely respected in the industry, he is the recipient of many awards including the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Greater New York Home Furnishings Association, Meadoff Award for Sportsmanship and the NCCJ Brotherhood Award. Barton is knowledgeable in furniture production, home furnishings marketing and magazine publishing. He is past president of the American Furniture Hall of Fame and a founding director of the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library.

Rod Lambeth

Rod Lambeth is owner and president of Tomlinson companies. A native of Thomasville, NC, Lambeth grew up with ‘sawdust in his blood’. In 1901, The Lambeth family started The Standard Chair Company in Thomasville, North Carolina and over the next century the family continued to be a driving force in the furniture industry. Rod Lambeth has experienced furniture from a variety of viewpoints. After growing up in the industry, he graduated from college and began his career as a sales representative. Later he was vice president of the largest independent trade showroom west of the Mississippi and then the president of design services for the largest independent hotelier in the world. In 1987, Lambeth and his business partner purchased Tomlinson Furniture. Two years later they purchased Erwin-Lambeth and merged the two companies under one roof in Thomasville. They purchased Directional in 2001 and in 2009 purchased Carter Furniture. In the fall of 2014, the four companies were branded under the Tomlinson name. Lambeth is on the board of directors of the Bienenstock Furniture Library, the Thomasville Chamber of Commerce, the Davidson County Community College Foundation, High Point Design Center and the Hamilton Wrenn Design District Association. Married with two children and one grandchild, Lambeth makes his home in Thomasville, NC.

June Anderson

June Anderson is a graduate of Greensboro College with a B. A. degree in art. She majored in Interior Architecture at Virginia Commonwealth University and completed graduate courses in museum procedures at the New School for Social Research in New York. Anderson founded her own architectural interior design company, June Anderson & Associates, which she’s led for over 30 years. She is a professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers. Her clients include a list of national and international companies in nine foreign countries. She was the first American designer chosen to design a retail store for Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Paris. Her domestic clients include: Delta Airlines, Equifax, Karastan, Gloria Vanderbilt and GE Credit Corp. In 1987, she was voted as one of Atlanta’s Top Self Made Women. She later served as a delegate for Atlanta’s mayor, Andrew Young’s business mission to Paris and was a design contractor for the 1996 Olympic games in Atlanta. June has been recognized in many national publications for her innovative, yet practical approach to interior design and space planning. Along with serving on the board at the Bienenstock Furniture Library, she serves as a decade representative on the Greensboro College Alumni Board, a board member of the High Point Shakespeare Festival, and active member of the Greensboro Choral Society and a Hospice Volunteer.