The Future Looks Bright: Window Fashion VISION Names Inaugural 20 Under 40 Class

Room design by Tartan and Toile. Fabrication by Main Line Window Décor. Photo by Jon Friedrich

This year, Window Fashion VISION launched a program dedicated to recognizing up-and-coming leaders in the window covering industry. The Window Fashion VISION 20 Under 40 Awards will be given every year to young people who exhibit great leadership, skill and promise for moving the industry forward over the next 50 years. We’re proud to present this year’s winners.

Alicia Acosta Owner Hazel Slate, Indianapolis, IN

After graduating from Ball State University, Alicia Acosta worked as a seamstress at a nearby window treatment company. Within six months, she had worked her way up to workroom manager. When that company changed ownership, she decided to transfer her passion for sewing and interior textiles to her own business. Hazel Slate has become a multifaceted workroom offering draperies, other soft and hard treatments, reupholstery services and more.

Lance Bracey Regional Sales Manager Mermet USA, Cowpens, SC

Lance Bracey is described by Mermet CEO John Fryc as “one of the most professional and talented individuals I have ever worked with in the window treatment industry.” His technical knowledge of textiles and roller shades is unparalleled, and his willingness to share that knowledge means he’s developed a number of loyal fans among his customers and colleagues.

Gil Breef Founder and CEO Shades By Design, Miami, FL

Gil Breef began his window treatment career by founding New York Window Fashion, which is still one of the city’s leading companies for custom window treatments. In 2014, he founded his second company, Shades By Design, with the goal of expanding his services outside of the United States. The company has grown to become one of south Florida’s largest custom window treatment retailers, with more than $4 million in annual sales.

Cali Cochran National Account Manager Forest Drapery Hardware, Cartersville, GA

Cali Cochran started at Forest Drapery Hardware straight out of college. She quickly showed great promise as a salesperson. After completing the company’s management training program, she began managing a small regional territory. In two and a half years, Cochran had quadrupled sales in her states and was given a more significant territory with some of the largest players in the window covering industry. She is now national account manager for Forest.

Sara Lynn Brennan CEO Sara Lynn Brennan Interiors, Waxhaw, NC

Sara Lynn Brennan is described as an “entrepreneur on the rise.” She is a skilled designer who understands the value of window treatments and makes them an integral part of her designs. She is a great partner with workrooms, respecting their expertise and treating projects as a true collaboration. Brennan serves as a brand ambassador for WCAA and has spoken on panels at High Point Market, IWCE Virtual and other events.

Darin Filhaber Director of Sales and Marketing The Marquis Design Group, West Palm Beach, FL

Darin Filhaber is responsible for marketing and advertising at her family’s window treatment company. She deals with clients and handles a majority of the administrative responsibilities in the office. The firm is in the process of opening a new shade business and she has led that effort, arranging for marketing material and setting the overall tone. Her colleagues describe her as detailoriented and able to bring the showroom to life.

Jessica Harling Owner Behind the Design, Chicago, IL

Jessica Harling started her window covering career as the showroom manager at her family’s business, Drapery Connection. After advancing into a management role—where she was involved in recruiting new employees and providing them with training— she realized how hard it was to recruit and retain staff. She started Behind the Design to help other companies find good employees and develop processes to keep them.

Anthony Iannone Vice President Window Trends NJ, Morris Plains and Chatham, NJ

Anthony Iannone is the driving force behind Window Trends’ continued growth. In 2016, he opened up their second, state-of-theart showroom. He is a certified Hunter Douglas consultant and has expertise in serving both residential and commercial customers. He is a person who puts a smile on everyone’s face.

William Linn Workroom Manager The Marquis Design Group, West Palm Beach, FL

William Linn worked at a workroom during his summers home from college. He continued to work there after graduating until he made his way to Marquis. He started as a sewer but eventually worked his way up to workroom manager. He loves building custom ottomans, cornices, bed frames and other pieces. The bigger the challenge, the more eager he is to solve the mathematical equation necessary to complete the project!

Sherica Maynard Interior Designer Interior Design by S&S, Decorating Den, Conyers, GA

Sherica Maynard is an immensely creative designer who uses her BFA in architectural design from Parsons and her background in fashion to design creative and exciting projects. She believes in quality, doing everything she can to ensure her clients get custom products they will cherish. Maynard is also one of Window Fashion VISION ’s Window Fashion Influencers for 2020.

Max Nguyen CEO World Wide Wood, Dallas, TX

Max Nguyen was instrumental in bringing World Wide Wood, the only window shutter components manufacturer in Vietnam, to the American market. Although he’s still young himself, Nguyen is extremely passionate about passing down knowledge to younger generations and is invested in providing training and professional development opportunities for those around him. He is described as patient, helpful and kind and regularly gives back to charities overseas.

Gladys Payne Order Department Manager Shades By Design, Miami, FL

Gladys Payne is described as “the force that’s allowed Shades By Design to become the company it is today.” She was the company’s first employee and is now managing the entire business. She has trained over 30 employees, instilling each with a passion for the company, its products and its customers. She is constantly attending training sessions to further her window treatment education and support the people around her.

Aaron Preusser Co-Owner/Senior Sales Consultant Shutterhawk Blinds and Design, Wilmington, NC Aaron Preusser spent more than eight years working as an installer and window covering sales professional before opening Shutterhawk Blinds and Design with his wife, Amy, in 2019. Preusser is described as a hard worker who is dedicated to customer service and educating himself so he can always provide people with the best products for their needs. He is a good leader who treats his employees well and works closely beside them.

Christina Price Owner Main Line Window Decor, West Chester, PA The colleague who nominated Christina Price calls her an integral part of the local window treatment community. She has a natural design eye, great attention to detail and is generous with information, regularly sharing ideas on social media and helping her colleagues when they have questions. She also shares her knowledge through participating in educational roundtables and speaking on podcasts.

Lindsey Putzier Interior Designer Eclectic Interiors, Hudson, OH Lindsey Putzier is known for her distinctive and colorful window treatments. The person who nominated her described her as talented, creative, strong, determined and generous, and always willing to share lessons and expertise with fellow designers through social media and in person. This colleague also called Putzier “one of the smartest people I know” and said she expects she’ll be speaking and sharing her talent even more over the coming years.

Javier Rodriguez Founder and CEO Shade Studio, McAllen, TX Javier Rodriguez comes from a family of window covering professionals. At the age of 17, he attended his first International Window Coverings Expo. Not long after that, he started his own company, Shade Studio, in McAllen, TX. People in this area of Texas are often not willing to invest in quality window treatments, but Rodriguez is slowly changing their minds, bringing them around to the idea of fashionable, unique window coverings.

Jordan Silver Managing Partner, Lead Installer and Marketing Specialist Blinds Shade and Shutter Factory, Warrington, PA Jordan Silver started working for his family’s firm, Blinds Shade and Shutter Factory, when he was only 14 years old. He’s now been employed there for half of his life and has become a trusted friend and mentor to many of the people who work there. He is described as a true one-of-a-kind solution specialist with a strong focus on customer service.

Rafe Tawil VP of Commercial Friedland Shades, Keyport, NJ Tawil is a longtime employee of his family’s firm and brings enthusiasm and commitment to his job. He is described by his colleagues as an outstanding, visionary leader with knowledge well beyond his years. He is personable, hardworking and responsive. Tawil is always honest and upfront with all of his dealers, which creates a tremendous business relationship and even better friendships.

Karla Teuffer Chief Financial Officer Hotel Drapery and Bedding, San Diego, CA Karla Teuffer has brought tremendous energy, ideas and expertise since joining her family’s company. The firm specializes in window treatments and soft coverings for hospitality companies—an industry that’s been hard-hit during the COVID-19 outbreak. Despite that, the firm is having its busiest year to date so far. Teuffer has developed a tremendous following online by publishing regular articles on LinkedIn, and is known for establishing strong personal and professional relationships with her clients.

Daniel Patrick White Designer, Motorization Specialist and Certified Installer Blinds Etc., Rathdrum, ID Dan White started working for his family’s window treatment company a year ago, but he’s already been the driving force behind many positive changes. He designed a new website, introduced new product lines, helped open a new showroom and expanded sales beyond the local area. His willingness to take initiative and tackle unusual projects has helped the company grow into new niches and increase business substantially. V