NEWH - November 2007 - (Page 24)

cover story Passing the Torch Outgoing president Marla Davis reflects on her two years in office as as she turns NEWH over to president-elect Anita Degen Outgoing president Marla Davis (right) passes the gavel to president-elect Anita Degen at a board meeting during HD Boutique. “It has been very rewarding working with the younger generation, and knowing that we are helping future leaders,” Davis says. 24 november 2007 www.newh.org tel 800.593.NEWH MARLA DAVIS DIDN’T SET OUT TO BE PRESIDENT OF NEWH, Inc. Instead, it was a natural succession of her desire to be involved. She started off on the local level with the Dallas chapter, first as a part of the House of Delegates and then as executive vice president. From there, she was appointed to NEWH, Inc.’s board of directors as public relations chair and then director of expansion. She continued moving up the ladder, being elected to the executive committee as the vice president of development and finally, asked to run for president—which she welcomed with open arms. And looking back, she wouldn’t have it any other way. “I have enjoyed being so involved with NEWH,” says Davis, vice president of purchasing, Remington Hotels, LP. “It is so great after 25 years in the industry to give back because that’s the bottom line. That’s the whole foundation of NEWH.” To that end, during her two-year reign, Davis says her major focus was fundraising and scholarship. In its 23 years, NEWH, Inc. has given $1.6 million in scholarships, and she wanted to increase that number. The biggest initiative: an international fundraiser with UNICEF’s School from the Heart. As a result, NEWH raised more than $150,000, which equated to helping more than 30,000 children through UNICEF’s School in a Box. “It was our first attempt to go international with fundraising,” Davis explains. Another highlight for her was the introduction of the Icon of Industry Award, first given to Tom Durkan, then Maya Romanoff, and this year, Manfred Steinfeld will be the esteemed recipient. The brainchild of Zina Zimmerman, NEWH’s vice president of marketing, and Christine Wasmer, vice president of education, Davis appreciated the award because it was something different for the industry filled with awards for designers and architects, as it only honors manufacturers. “We have some pretty phenomenal people in our industry,” Davis says. “They are truly icons.” And at the same time, it opened a door for another student scholarship—first one, then two, after Romanoff endowed a matching one to a second student. “It has been very rewarding http://www.newh.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - November 2007

NEWH - November 2007
Table of Contents
Network Leaders
News
Sustainability Column
Sustainability: Green Luncheon
Have you Seen?
On the Scene
Cover Story: Passing the Torch
Scholarship: The Next Generation
Project: Harmonious Duet
Project: Second Act
Service: Recognizing Excellence
Save the Date
New Members
Partner Profiles

NEWH - November 2007