About AHFA

Andy Counts

Andy Counts is AHFA’s Chief Executive Officer. He leads the association's strategic direction and oversees its operations, advocacy efforts and member services. As AHFA's chief executive, Counts represents the home furnishings industry before Congress, federal and state agencies, and other organizations on legislative, regulatory and public policy issues affecting the manufacturing, import and marketing of residential furnishings. Before joining AHFA, Counts held engineering and environmental leadership positions with Malcolm Pirnie Inc., Merillat Industries and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. He initially joined AHFA as vice president of environmental and technical affairs before being named chief executive officer. Counts earned a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

(336) 884-5001

Patricia Bowling

Patricia Bowling is AHFA’s Vice President of Communications. She oversees the association's print and digital communications, developing communications that inform, educate and engage AHFA members while advancing the organization's advocacy and strategic initiatives. Her responsibilities include directing member publications, email communications, public relations, media outreach and marketing for AHFA's educational programs and events. She also produces AHFA's annual Marketing/PR Conference, coordinates Furniture Safety Week and authors the association's annual Year in Review. Bowling joined AHFA in 2000 and has played a key role in shaping the association's communications strategy and strengthening its relationships with members, the media and industry stakeholders. She earned bachelor's degrees in journalism and religious studies from Indiana University.

(336) 881-1006

Gene Clark

Gene Clark is AHFA’s Vice President of Membership & Associate Member Relations. He leads the association's membership growth and retention efforts while overseeing AHFA's Solution Partners division, which connects manufacturers with trusted suppliers and service providers across the home furnishings industry. Clark works closely with members and prospective members to strengthen engagement, foster strategic partnerships and deliver programs that enhance the value of AHFA membership. Clark brings more than 35 years of experience in the home furnishings industry to his role. His career includes sales and management positions with Vaughan-Bassett Furniture and Bassett Furniture, as well as serving as President of U.S. Operations for Ligna Furniture. Since 2013, Clark has also served as a managing partner of My Home Furnishings, a youth bedroom furniture company. He attended Patrick & Henry Community College.

(336) 881-1002

Laurie Cornelius

Laurie Cornelius is Communications & Events Specialist for the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA). She develops and executes communications and marketing initiatives that promote the association's programs, events and member services while strengthening engagement across the casual furnishings industry. Cornelius manages digital communications, serves as editor of ICFA Outsider, the association's flagship member publication, and coordinates internal and external communications that enhance ICFA's visibility and reinforce its strategic objectives. She also supports the planning and execution of ICFA's conferences, meetings and special events, partnering with members, sponsors, speakers and industry stakeholders to deliver exceptional event experiences while strengthening meaningful connections across the industry. A former educator, Cornelius brings strong communication, leadership and organizational skills to her role. She earned a bachelor's degree in elementary and special education from Mercyhurst University and a master's degree in reading from Frostburg State University.

Donna Garcia

Donna Garcia is AHFA’s Events & Member Relations Manager. She manages the planning and execution of the association's conferences, meetings and special events while supporting member engagement and day-to-day operations of AHFA's membership and Solution Partners division. Garcia partners with members, sponsors, speakers and vendors to help deliver exceptional event experiences and ensure the successful execution of AHFA's programs and services. Since joining AHFA in 2018, Garcia has supported the association's membership, Solution Partners division and regulatory compliance initiatives in a variety of roles. Prior to AHFA, she served as a project coordinator for Baring Industries in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, bringing valuable project management and organizational experience to her current role.

(336) 881-1035

Jackie Hirschhaut

Jackie Hirschhaut is AHFA’s Vice President of Public Relations & Marketing. She leads member recruitment and engagement initiatives while developing marketing and public relations strategies that strengthen the association's visibility and support its strategic objectives. Hirschhaut also oversees AHFA's Annual Meeting and CEO Conference, one of the association's premier executive events. Before assuming her current role, Hirschhaut served for 11 years as Executive Director of the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA), where she helped advance the casual furnishings industry through member programs, events and organizational leadership. She earned bachelor's degrees in journalism and marketing from the University of Rhode Island.

(336) 881-1016

Michele Morris

Michele Morris is Director of Operations for the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA). She oversees the association's day-to-day operations, including member services, educational programs, governance activities and special events, while helping ensure the successful execution of ICFA's strategic initiatives. Morris works closely with ICFA leadership, members and industry partners to deliver exceptional member experiences and strengthen the association's programs and services. Morris joined AHFA in 2000 and has supported a wide range of association functions, including communications, membership, information technology and regulatory affairs. She began supporting ICFA in 2014 before being named Director of Operations in 2018. Throughout her career, she has played an integral role in coordinating association operations, developing marketing materials and supporting the continued growth of ICFA.

(336) 881-1001

Bill Perdue

Bill Perdue is AHFA’s Vice President of Regulatory Affairs. He leads the association's regulatory and technical affairs initiatives, representing the home furnishings industry before federal and state agencies, standards organizations and other regulatory bodies on issues affecting furniture manufacturers and importers. Perdue works closely with AHFA members to interpret evolving regulations, advocate for practical compliance solutions and help shape industry standards. Perdue serves as AHFA's primary liaison to organizations including ASTM, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. He brings more than 30 years of experience addressing regulatory issues impacting the home furnishings industry. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of South Carolina.

(336) 881-1017

Siri Scott

Siri Scott is Executive Director of the International Casual Furnishings Association (ICFA). She leads the association's strategic initiatives, member engagement and day-to-day operations while working to advance the interests of the casual furnishings industry. Scott collaborates with manufacturers, importers, retailers, designers, sales representatives and suppliers to strengthen ICFA's programs, partnerships and industry presence. Scott oversees ICFA's educational programs, networking events and annual awards. She also serves as ICFA's primary liaison with trade show management for Casual Market Atlanta and directs member services and initiatives that foster collaboration, professional development and industry growth. Scott earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of North Carolina Greensboro and brings extensive experience in strategic marketing and communications management.

(336) 881-1036

Nicholas Spino

Nicholas Spino is AHFA’s Director of Communications. He manages the association's digital communications, publications and marketing initiatives, including AHFA's website, email marketing, social media and integrated promotional campaigns supporting conferences, educational programs, advocacy efforts and member engagement. He also serves as editor of Furniture Executive, AHFA's flagship member publication, and oversees branding and creative direction for association events, publications and marketing materials. Prior to joining AHFA, Spino served as Coordinator of Electronic Communications at High Point University, where he developed email marketing campaigns and managed website content and social media for the Offices of Family Engagement, Annual Giving and Alumni Engagement. He earned a bachelor's degree in Communication and Media Studies from High Point University.

(336) 881-1003

Alex Williams

Alex Williams is AHFA’s Director of Sustainability & Regulatory Compliance Programs. He leads the development and expansion of the association's sustainability and regulatory compliance initiatives, helping members navigate evolving environmental regulations and industry requirements. Williams supports the association's technical task groups and develops educational programs and resources that keep members informed on emerging compliance issues and best practices. Before joining AHFA, Williams served as Director of Workforce & Government Affairs for the Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce in Rome, Georgia. His background also includes leadership roles in economic development, government affairs and public policy with the Mississippi Development Authority, the administration of Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant and Herschel Walker's 2022 U.S. Senate campaign. He earned a bachelor's degree in Public Policy Leadership from the University of Mississippi.

(336) 881-1010