Jensen Outdoor appoints new sales reps; BridgeTower Media adds new VP | Who’s News
Luxury casual furniture supplier Jensen Outdoor has appointed Karen Phillips and Justin Pfahl as sales representatives of record as the company targets growth in key regional markets.
Phillips will oversee Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and the Omaha metro area, while Pfahl will represent Central and South Florida.
The company said the appointments reflect a strategic investment in regions with growth potential among retailers, interior designers and the broader design trade, while maintaining existing partnerships.
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BridgeTower Media, the authoritative source for business insights, data-driven marketing solutions and events across more than 40 specialized B2B brands, has appointed Sandy Almendarez as vice president of content.
As BridgeTower’s editorial leader, Almendarez will define and execute a modern, digital-first content strategy across all brands and markets, with responsibility for audience growth, editorial standards, AI-enabled workflows and cross-functional collaboration.
Almendarez joins BridgeTower Media, the parent company of Home Accents Today, with nearly two decades of B2B leadership experience. Most recently, she served as a content leader at Informa Markets, where she spearheaded the development of persona-driven audience strategies, conference expansion and AI-powered efficiencies. Known for her audience-first approach, Almendarez has built a reputation for achieving business targets while preserving editorial integrity and cultivating winning team cultures.
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City of Hope, a leading cancer research and treatment organizations in the U.S., and its International Home Furnishings Industry group (IHFI), honored Kevin O’Connor last night with the 2026 Spirit of Life Lifetime Achievement Award.
O’Connor was honored for his transformative impact on the furniture industry and longstanding commitment to City of Hope‘s lifesaving mission. During the gala event, the IHFI announced it had raised $1.3 million this year.
“Kevin O’Connor represents the very best of our industry—an innovator, mentor and servant leader whose generosity of time and talent has made a lasting impact,” said Sharon Joyce, managing vice president, transformative giving, at City of Hope. “His lifelong commitment to City of Hope embodies the true spirit of this award.”
Born and raised in the New York City area, O’Connor began his furniture career after serving in the U.S. Army, launching into sales with Ethan Allen where he worked closely for 11 years with industry icons Nat Ancell and Pat Norton, shaping the leadership principles that guided his career.
Since then, O’Connor held senior management roles at Singer Furniture, Burlington Furniture, Lee Inds., Hyundai Furniture and Master Design Furniture. In 1999, he partnered with Samuel and Grace Kuo to form Legacy Classic Furniture.
In 2006, O’Connor was appointed president and CEO of Samson Marketing, the marketing arm of Samson Holding, overseeing a portfolio that included Legacy Classic Furniture, Universal Furniture, Baker Furniture, Craftmaster Furniture and Samson Hospitality. While he stepped away from active management in 2014, he continues to serve as a consultant to Samson Holding Chairman Samuel Kuo.
