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About Custom Home Furnishings
Dedicated to promoting quality workmanship and professionalism in the industry, our mission is to support the development of individual self-worth and financial independence through the custom home furnishings trade. Jeanelle Dech, Director/CEO, shares more than 20 years of entrepreneurial business experience and passion for education. She began her career with a home-based slipcover business that quickly evolved into a full-service interior design studio with an on-site workroom and eight employees, which she sold in 2005. She is the founder of Adaptive Textiles™ a digital textile printing company in West Chester, PA, and serves on the national board of directors for the Window Coverings Association of America. She has been an instructor at the CHF Academy teaching business planning and slipcover fabrication for six years. In October 2009, Jeanelle was promoted to CEO to lead the CHF Academy through its next phase of growth. Jeanelle has become known for her energizing and innovative approach to business, fabrication and education, and is a popular speaker at industry events. She is honored to be working with such a creative and talented management team dedicated to the tradition of training and inspiring professionals. Michele Williams, Communications Director and 2011 D&D Professional Editor-In-Chief, left a successful career in financial software design to open a drapery workroom in Alpharetta, GA, in 2000. The business grew to offer full design, fabrication and installation services. In 2009, Michele was hired to develop and teach the Professional Window Treatment Consultant class at the CHF academy. Michele currently serves on the national board of directors for the Window Coverings Association of America and is the immediate Past President of the Atlanta Chapter. Her goal is to elevate the industry and encourage individual achievement by incorporating professional business practices. Michele called on her formal education in the area of Management Information Systems and Administrative Management when she began her role as Communications Director for the CHF Academy. She is responsible for managing the production schedule of the only on-time print magazine in the industry. Peggy Brewer, Education Coordinator, began her career as a medical records transcriber and, later, as the unit secretary for a hospital operating room. In 1987, she began training for a new career as a legal assistant, a profession she continued for 14 years. In 2001, Peggy was hired as the Event Coordinator for the Custom Home Furnishings Conference and as the Executive Assistant to Cheryl Strickland. When the school was sold to the Nances, Peggy continued with the company, and became invaluable to the new owners as they transitioned to the new location. Peggy handles the administrative aspects of the student experience including registration, school store purchases, Forum troubleshooting and course scheduling. In addition, she serves as an instructor liaison. Peggy is known for her patience, kindness and attention to detail, and is loved by all who know her. Andy Nance, Facilities Manager, began an early career working with his family in a second-generation construction firm. In 1984 Andy trained as a wallpaper hanger and then later as a drapery installer, which led to his introduction to the custom home furnishings trade. He was the supervising installer, cornice fabricator and co-owner of Best Dressed Windows until it was sold in 2005. Andy is the resident jack-of-all-trades for the CHF Academy, skilled in many areas of construction. He handles everything from building maintenance and school store inventory to classroom preparation, and is responsible for day-to-day operations and student services. Andy teaches Professional Installation 101 as well as several other private training topics. |
