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GENERAL NEWS www.kitchenwarenews.com n JUNE 2015 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW General News 3 George Kacic, the gift and home furnishings industr y leader widely acknowledged as a visionary force in the U.S. wholesale and retail communities, will join AmericasMart® Atlanta as Executive Vice President responsible for retail services operations, according to Jeff rey L. Portman, Sr., Vice Chairman, President and Chief Operating Officer of AmericasMart parent company AMC, Inc. Kacic's appointment is effective April 1 following his departure f rom Giftcraft Ltd., the Toronto-based lifestyle home décor and giftware industry leader serving a diverse network of specialty retailers around the world, where he has served as President of U.S. operations since 2012. In his new role, Kacic will direct AmericasMart's large and growing retail services operations with a major focus on sustaining and expanding domestic and international retailer and designer presence and enhancing their experience while attending AmericasMart 's 14 annual markets and shows. "We have long admired and applauded George Kacic's ability to build enduring relationships in large and diverse customer populations," Portman notes. "He is highly gifted in the art of engaging customers with genuine care and concern and building trust for long-term partnerships. These are among the many skills and talents George is bringing to help refine the market experience for our global customer community," Portman adds. Kacic's career spans more than 36 years within the home and gift community, including senior sales and business development leadership roles at GANZ and Russ Berrie. His career also reflects long service to the gift and home industry through leadership of the Gift & Home Trade Association (GHTA) and other prominent trade organizations. Prior to his Giftcraft presidency, Kacic enjoyed a long tenure at GANZ USA, where he ser ved as Vice President for 20 years. Previous positions also include a seven- year engagement with Russ Berrie; five years as President of an independent sales representatives firm; and a Vice Presidency George Kacic Joins AmericasMart Atlanta as New executive Leader of Retail Services operations with Takara USA, during which he helped establish the Japan-based firm within the U.S. market. His industry activities are as deep-rooted as his corporate leadership. He is Vice Chairman of the Gift for Life Board, on which he has served since 2011, and has served for nine years on the GHTA Board, during which time he held the offices of President, Chairman Emeritus and ICON HONORS founding partner. Kacic has received numerous awards f rom GHTA, including the prestigious Luminar y Scholarship Award, which is devoted to the enhancement of leadership and business development skills in young students. His most recent industry honor was conferred in January 2012, when he received Gift For Life's highly respected Chuck Yancy Lifetime Achievement Award. Kacic's extensive knowledge of the retail industr y gained through his years of experience will be invaluable to his achieving success as he assumes his responsibilities within AmericasMart. KN Musical Chairs at Smith's Consumer Products Smith's® Consumer Products Inc., has hired Beau Parker to replace current CEO Dan Glidden, who is retiring. The company also announced it will be opening a new office in Nashville, Tennessee. All operations and supply chain will remain in Hot Springs. Several key promotions and a new hire have also been made. Parker is responsible for strategic direction of all Smith's divisions, including Smith's sporting goods and the housewares brands, KitchenIQ™ and Firewire®. Parker most recently was the General Manager of Oreck and TTI and prior to that was President of Power Tool Accessories at Stanley Black & Decker. Mark Adkison, formerly Vice President of Global Sales for the company, has been promoted to Chief Marketing Officer, a newly created position. Adkison will be oversee all marketing initiatives for the company, head product development and will report directly to Parker. He will be charged with driving long term expansion tied to new categories, innovation and future marketing. Jeff Scanlon, formerly of Newell Rubbermaid and TTI Floor Care, was hired as Vice President of Global Sales. Scanlon reports directly to Parker. Scanlon's background includes selling to and driving significant growth at mass retail, grocery, outdoor and department stores. In addition, Karl Russ (formerly Vice President of Finance) was named Chief Financial & Operations Officer. Sandi Skillern was promoted to Controller, and Rick Karnbach was promoted to Director of Operations. For more information visit www.smithsproducts.com, www.kitchenIQ .com, or www.firewiregrilling.com KN