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Our Mission
Our mission is to make available educational and networking opportunities, to encourage a code of ethics for fair practices, and to work for the betterment of the window coverings industry. We believe that soft furnishings businesses and blinds / shutters companies deserve a partner.
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Our Vision
We are committed to providing professional networking opportunities, investing in educational opportunities that support the code of ethics and best business practices, and promoting the value and visibility of our professional members within the industry and to consumers.
National Board of Directors
A native of Brazil, Roger Magalhaes moved to the United States in the year 2000 in pursuit of the American Dream. After four short years, Roger was well on his way to achieving his goal; having purchased his own home. However, as is the case with many first homes, Roger’s home was in need of some renovations. Putting in hours on his home after work and on the weekends, Roger steadily built his skill. By June 2006, construction was complete, and he decided to put his newfound skills to use.
Roger has acquired formal training and receiving certifications from respected vendors such as Somfy, Hunter Douglas, Norman Shutters and Lutron. He also attended the Custom Home Furnishings Academy for formal installation training focusing on drapery and other soft treatments.
His meticulous attention to detail and work ethic is evident in his 700+ five star client reviews. He was named Immigrant Entrepreneur Award 2022 - Outstanding Business Growth by The Immigrant Learning Center.
LuAnn Nigara co-owns Window Works in Livingston, NJ, specializing in window treatments and awnings. With annual sales of over $2 million and more than 25,000 clients on the roster since 1982, LuAnn brings a high level of business acumen to the WCAA.
In addition to being the host of the #1 interior design business podcast, A Well-Designed Business, LuAnn has presented at IWCE, the Hunter Douglas ACT Conference, The Design Blogger's Conference, and the Interior Design Society, LI Chapter. LuAnn also moderates panel discussions at industry events around the country.
Her book, The Making of A Well-Designed Business, is a veritable how to for the small business owner detailing the best principles for starting, growing and managing a healthy, successful business.
Joe Gebara owns J. Edison Interiors, the premier Window Treatment Installation service in South Florida. Joe is a Hunter Douglas Certified Installer and previously was a Special Education teacher before starting his business 9 years ago.
When asked what projects or challenges he would like to get more involved with after joining the Board Joe listed Membership Growth and Education by adding value to the membership with continued education for all members. Joe has spent many years volunteering for non-profit organizations and is dedicated to serving his community. He has sat on Local and National Boards, a Congressional Committee and has been President of several of the Boards he has served.
Jennifer Looney has 19 years experience providing window coverings and a wide variety of design services. She is an award-winning specialist who supplies unique blinds and shades, soft home fashions, design and remodeling services. Jennifer has a vast portfolio of clients. She has completed design projects for Fortune 500 executives, some of the country’s most talented music and athletic industry professionals and hundreds of families throughout the southeast to meet their home design and decor needs. Her company, JLS Designs, is backed by an international network of vendors and suppliers.
Jennifer is a graduate of Texas Tech University and holds a degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising. In her free time she enjoys painting, gardening, cooking, reading, crafting and being outdoors. Jennifer has served on numerous boards and spent countless hours as a volunteer serving the local school district and other special interests.
Jill Ballew launched High Country Drapery Designs in 2015 after many years of working in the home industry. As an entrepreneur, she began to focus on the quality and construction of her products and gave special focus to honing her own design skills.
High Country Drapery Designs offers a unique customer experience and approaches each project holistically. As the owner, Jill continues to be well-versed on current design trends while bringing a fresh, Southern feel to her beautiful designs.
Julie Murphy is the owner of Designer Draperies of Boston, a full service to the trade workroom. She began her foray into the art of window treatment fabrication as the sole proprietor of a home based business in 2006. It was only natural that her passion fed a desire to expand capacity to meet the needs of her growing clientele.
In 2014, she purchased Designer Draperies of Boston and merged the two businesses. She has tripled the size of her team and revenue since the transfer of ownership and continues to serve some of the top designers in the Boston area, as well as out of state interior design firms.
Sara Lynn Brennan is an award winning Entrepreneur, CEO and Principal Interior Designer at Sara Lynn Brennan Interiors, the first and only full-service interior design firm in Waxhaw, North Carolina who specializes in Transitional Design.
She and her design-build team take spaces from Bare Bones to Beautiful by utilizing her exclusive, approachable and stress-free design process, transforming and renovating homes from start to finish in the Charlotte, NC and surrounding area.
Blaine owns and leads ADR (Antique Drapery Rod). He bought the company in 2017. It was an established and respected business with excellent customer relationships and talented people.
Blaine is hands on and has been carefully guiding the organizational, operational, sales and marketing, and financial aspects of ADR. He is strengthening the company’s presence in the industry and positioning it for continued growth.
Deborah Fortenberry is the owner of Dressy Windows in Atlanta, Georgia. Dressy Windows is a professional drapery workroom providing quality window treatments and soft home furnishings for residential and commercial applications.
Deborah prides herself in the design and fabrication of custom draperies, decor pillows, fabric shades, bedding and upholstery.
Deborah has been involved with our Atlanta Chapter for years and served as past president from 2016 -2019.
Past WCAA President Tracie Bresnahan owns and operates Custom Creations, a full service drapery workroom specializing in custom window treatments, bedding, upholstery, ottomans and more. Her company primarily services Interior Designers wholesale to the trade, both residential and commercial.
Tracie’s background includes apparel and textile engineering, and hand tailoring. The seamstress professionals at Custom Creations are experienced in many high end techniques, including English hand sewing and other dressmaker details. The team at Custom Creations has installed projects all over the United States and the Bahamas.
Kristen Vince is the owner of Custom Elegance, an international award-winning full service drapery and upholstery workroom in central Florida. Kristen studied pattern making at Newbury College in Boston, MA. With more than 30 years in the industry, Kristen places a high standard on her quality products and works with designers from the initial concept phase through installation to ensure proper engineering and to cover all details.
Kristen and her team love a challenge and provide services to both residential and commercial designers in Florida and across the United States. Her work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Design Bureau, MCBC Builders, and VISION Magazine. Kristen has won multiple VISION awards including “2018 Workroom of the Year.”
WCAA Staff
Renee Gurganus is a native of Augusta, Georgia and now lives in beautiful Wilmington, NC. With over 20 years of leadership experience in the non-profit and for-profit sector, Renee brings a wealth of knowledge to the WCAA.
Previously she was the Executive Director of a community organization in Murrells Inlet, SC, where she lead the organization in a new Strategic Plan that they continue to use today.
After becoming the Executive Director of the WCAA, Renee began working with the Board of Directors on a new Strategic Plan as well as rebranding the organization.