Lisabeth Martin Karen Erickson Jill Stanbro Ginny Connor Carlette Cormier Minda Fernish Mary Ann Plumlee Anita Boetsma Trenia Bell Ray Ward Chris Nivin Allison Reid Eric Wells Scot Robbins Mary-Ann Quinn Debbie Green Patricia Sprinkle Claudia Buchanan

Carlette Cormier has been designing and fabricating window treatments since 1987. She has also proven to be a veteran in the world of competition, receiving seven awards in the Window Fashions Design and Workroom Competitions, including Workroom of the Year in 2004. Her beautiful fabrication and designs have been featured in Southern Living Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, and Savannah Magazine. Her work has also been published in numerous books, including Window Dressings, Window Top Treatments, Complete Photo Guide to Window Treatments, and Dream Windows. Minda Fernish began her business in 1980 as a part-time endeavor. It has since grown into a full-time, wholesale operation, specializing in custom draperies and valances. Minda grew up in this business, working in her mother's shop after school. She can still be found helping out whenever needed! Her writings have expanded from family journals to include detailed, how-to articles for the trade. She loves her job and will share her enthusiasm, knowledge, and experience with anyone who will listen! List of Topics: Efficiency in the Workroom Swags Tools & Equipment in the Small Workroom Mary Ann Plumlee has been in the window coverings business since 1985. Starting with a $50.00 investment and a home sewing machine, she has expanded her business to include 12 employees. Her workroom serves retail and wholesale accounts. Mary Ann writes the FROM THE WORKROOM column for D&WC Magazine, and is the founder of Workroom Association of America LLC. List of Topics: Sales and Marketing Risk Management Motorization Selling Hard Coverings Commercial Jobs Anita Boetsma has been involved in the window treatment business for over 20 years. Her expertise stems from hands-on experience in all levels of the industry. Anita first entered the home furnishings business in 1986 when she joined her husband Larry in his 3rd generation business on the shores of Lake Maxinkuckee in Culver, Indiana. Until 2005, the company specialized in all aspects of interior design, project management, and window treatment and upholstery fabrication. Boetsma Interiors was featured in the August 2003 Draperies and Window Coverings Magazine. In 1994, Anita won a week's schooling at the Custom Home Furnishings School in Swannannoa, North Carolina. Under the tutelage of founder Cheryl Strickland, she learned the basics of window treatment fabrication. Following that experience, Anita added on-site custom fabrication to the company's product mix. Beginning with the 3rd Annual Custom Home Furnishings Conference, Anita taught multiple courses over the next several years. When the Custom Home Furnishings School added Upholstery to their curriculum, Anita created the course materials and taught both the Upholstery 101 and 102 classes. She has written extensively for the Custom Home Furnishings Magazine and has been published in Draperies &Window Coverings Magazine and Upholstery Journal. Over the course of her time at the Custom Home Furnishings School, she also taught the Window Treatments 100, 101, and 102 classes along with numerous specialized weekend seminar classes. In 2003, she became the Marketing Director for the Custom Home Furnishings Industry. In September of 2005, Anita joined Helser Brothers, Inc. as VP of Operations. She headed their benchmark customer service department and managed day to day functions as well as specialized duties in product development.