MacPherson’s is proud to announce the promotion of two amazing individuals on our team. Natasha Nicholson-Bjerre, our head of Human Resources, has become a Vice President in the company. In addition to her current people related role, she will take on new management and customer-facing responsibilities over the coming months. Natasha joined the company in 2005 and has eleven years of people operations experience. Natasha has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.
Also, moving up is Jim Semitekol as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at MacPherson’s.
Jim’s new title recognizes his total involvement in all aspects of the Company’s business including the significant impact he is having on sales and logistics for all of our accounts. Jim joined the company in 2001 and is a man of many talents and interests. His fans admire his accomplishments as a professional guitarist and as a founder of our in-house band, One Night Stand.
Please join us in congratulating both Jim and Natasha on their promotions and wish them all them best with their new responsibilities.
JoAnn’s Stores Chief Operating Officer has been promoted. Travis Smith will assume the duties and title of President.
Pearl continues to restructure. Additional stores have been added to a list considered for possible closings. To keep up to the minute on this story, check out this link:
Pearl Blow-Out Sale Store list
A number of personnel and organizational changes have been announced at Michaels and Aaron Bros:
Walt Asbury has accepted a new role as Business Unit General Manager – Papercrafting. Most recently he was Vice President of Special Projects (Next Gen). The former Paper crafting Manager, Kathy Lacks has left the organization. Tom Peterson the Vice President of Store Communications and Workload Planning is taking a new role as Vice President of Space Planning. On the supply chain side, Miki Ellers has been promoted to Vice President, Distribution Center (DC) Operations.
Matt Fischer has taken on a new role as Vice President – Supply Chain Optimization.
Mary Kuniski is expanding her role to include the support of Walt Asbury’s team as his Inventory Management partner. She will continue her work informing and educating the Michaels vendor community as the Vice President of Vendor Relations and will retain responsibility for the Database Control group.
At Aaron Brothers Katy Hanson has been promoted to Vice President, Marketing. Wendy Prebil has been promoted to Director, Visual Presentation at Aaron Bros.
Former Koh-I-Noor, Grumbacher and NAMTA President Tony Murray is back, helping the art supply industry as a business consultant. If you’re looking, you can reach him at eamcanfly@aol.com .
The Art Store, Des Moines, IA has resigned from Art Group America (AgA) membership and Aboveground Art Supplies of Toronto, Ontario, Canada is taking The Art Store’s slot in the 12 member industry group. Fred Gold’s business is now in its 27th successful year in one of the largest and most competitive art supply markets in the world. We wish Joe Domeier well as he builds his business in a competitive Des Moines market.
Mark Snelling, husband of Linda Snelling, the former owner of Boutilliers in Burlington, VT, is running for Lt. Governor of that state. For details on the candidate check out his website: Mark Snelling for Lt. Governor