Occupation: Chief Operating Office, President, Alfresco Home

Special Interests/Hobbies: “Art, Music, Ice Cream, Fitness (to help combat my Ice Cream habit) and most of all enjoying time with my family and friends over a great meal!”

Problems Facing the Patio Furniture Industry: “There is tremendous pressure on the independent specialty retailer in marketing their products to consumers who have multiple options on where and how to purchase products.

“Additionally, downward pressure on pricing from large retailers becomes more challenging every day for many retailers and manufacturers as costs again increase on the supply side, forcing all parties involved to be extremely sharp in their complete presentation, or they could easily lose out on the opportunities to grow the business.”

Forecast for Your Patio Furniture Sales in 2016: “Up 17 percent.”

Problems Facing the Barbecue Industry: “The strength of a few can be a burden on an industry in its ability to grow and improve its products, qualities, and services. The long-term impact of such an impetus to broader growth of brands, and some incredible products for consumers, bodes well for some and not well for most.”

Forecast for Your Barbecue Sales in 2016: “Up 100 percent.”

Years Reading Hearth & Home: “12.”

Reasons for Reading Hearth & Home: “It’s simply full of tremendous ideas, real facts, interesting personal journeys, and valuable data encompassing the broader outdoor living industry.”

Article Idea(s): “Let’s really get detailed in teaching all retailers how to market outdoor living products to maximize everyone’s opportunities. Education on products, systems, and even how to run a business could be a giant benefit to effectively developing and growing the patio, hearth or barbecue businesses.”