IHA announces key appointment to management team

The International Housewares Association announced the hiring of Jon Jesse to fill the newly created position of vice president, industry development, effective Jan. 1, 2016. “Jon’s role at IHA will leverage his deep knowledge of the retail community and of the housewares business,” said Phil Brandl, IHA’s president and CEO. “We look forward to the many contributions Jon’s experience and talents will bring to our organization, its members and the retail community.”

In his new position, Jesse’s responsibilities will include overseeing member and retailer relations and developing a strategic plan for attracting young talent to the housewares industry.

Jesse is well known among housewares industry veterans for his work in building Kohl’s into a leading retailer of home products and housewares. In his role at Kohl’s as senior vice president/divisional merchandise manager, Housewares, Jesse led his team as well as the vendor community through Kohl’s strategic objective to evolve from a mass merchant to department store, encompassing all aspects product content, merchandising and marketing.

Prior to joining Kohl’s in 1990, Jesse was a housewares buyer for Marshall Field’s in Chicago.  He has also served IHA through his participation in the association’s Retail Advisory Council for 15 years and as a consultant for the past year.

“I am very much looking forward to joining the IHA team,” Jesse said. “I hope to employ my passion for the housewares business in bringing a meaningful contribution to our industry.”

“IHA’s board of directors looks forward to Jon’s contributions to this already talented IHA team,” added Gary Seehoff, founder, Evriholder Products, and IHA Chairman. “Our industry knows and respects Jon and IHA will benefit from his depth of knowledge and commitment to our business.”

Jesse joins the current IHA senior management which includes Dean Kurtis, vice president, finance and information technology; Derek Miller, vice president, global marketing; Perry Reynolds, vice president, global trade development; and Adrienne Tiritilli, vice president, trade show.