Between refreshed executive leadership and new business debuts, design professionals have had a busy month full of beginnings. Read on for BOH’s monthly roundup of arrivals and departures in design, manufacturing and media.

To the Trade & Manufacturing

Schumacher named Emily Romero as president. Romero joined the company in January 2021 as vice president of business development and operations, and she became its chief operating officer in May 2022, focusing on Schumacher’s residential business in North America. In her new role, she will continue to oversee Schumacher’s North America team alongside creative director Dara Caponigro.

Sunset West, a division of Hooker Furnishings based in Vista, California, named Charles Emmons as vice president of sales. He brings more than 30 years of experience in sales, marketing and general management in the casual furnishings industry, most recently as executive vice president of sales and marketing at Windward Design Group.

Chelsy Helton assumed the role of vice president of product development for Parker House Furniture, succeeding Roberta Woodard, who has retired from her position but will remain on as a member of Parker House’s board of directors. Before joining Greensboro, North Carolina–based Parker House in May, Helton accrued more than 13 years of experience in various roles in the industry, most recently as vice president of product at Dorel Home.

Design & Architecture

After nearly 20 years of leadership, Gensler co-CEOs Andy Cohen and Diane Hoskins will step into new positions as the firm’s first global co-chairs. Following the transition, Julia Simet and Jordan Goldstein will step up to become the firm’s new co-CEOs, effective January 1, 2024. Washington, D.C.–based Goldstein and London-based Simet each bring more than 25 years of leadership experience to their new roles—as the current co-firm managing principals, they split responsibility for Gensler’s U.S. and international regions. In their new positions, they will manage the firm’s day-to-day operations across 53 global offices, overseeing more than 3,500 client relationships and 6,000 employees across the globe.

New York–based interior design firm Mendelson Group welcomed Ashley Green Lehmkuhl to the team as an intermediate designer. Lehmkuhl earned her master’s in interior design from Parsons School of Design in 2019, before going on to launch her own namesake company, Ashley Green Interiors, and gain additional design experience at Bonetti/Kozerski Architecture DPC and Roarke Design Studio. In her new role, she will support the firm’s residential projects with a focus on decorating.

Media & PR

Avery Schroeder and Neal Irby launched 10 Atelier, a bespoke creative marketing, consulting and PR firm serving fine art, lifestyle and decor brands. Both left roles at Novita Communications—Schroeder served the firm for four years, most recently as associate account director, while Irby served for three years, most recently as an account executive.

The Consultancy PR promoted Kristin Olson to managing director. Olson brings more than a decade of experience to her new leadership role, having held previous positions with brands such as Valentino and the Ace Hotel in Los Angeles. She initially joined TCPR in 2021 as a director, before being promoted to her most recent title of senior director the following year.

Industry Organizations

Andmore appointed Adam Tracey to the newly created role of senior vice president of operations for the High Point campus. In the position, Tracey will lead a team that manages the building and market operations for Andmore’s 17 High Point properties, along with joining the organization’s senior management team and contributing to the development and execution of strategic plans. He brings extensive experience in commercial retail operations to the role, most recently as vice president of field operations at Tanger Outlets in Greensboro, North Carolina.

High Point Market Authority announced new updates to its board of directors, naming Christi Barbour, co-founder at Barbour Spangle Design, as board chair and president of the executive committee after concluding her service as vice president through 2023. Barbour, the board’s first woman to hold its top spot and its first interior designer professional in the position, will replace Alex Shuford III, the CEO of Rock House Farm Family of Brands and Century Furniture; he will transition to the role of immediate past chair. Elsewhere on the board, Jeremy Hoff, CEO at Hooker Furnishings, will step into the role of vice chair, and Blake Millinor, CEO at Valdese Weavers, will become treasurer.