Occupation: Vice President of Sales, Agio.

Special Interests/Hobbies: “Spending time with my wife and kids, fishing, golf, being outdoors, DIY home remodeling.”

Problems/Issues Facing the Patio Industry: “The biggest thing on everyone’s mind is how the tariff situation will shake out. The second is where the industry market for outdoor furniture will end up in the future. Everyone loves stability, and we certainly would like more information and clarity as to where our industry’s board will decide to locate the show(s). There’s a lot of rumors, but few answers.”

Key Trends in the Patio Industry Today: “Best Ways for Specialty Retailers to Combat Internet Sales: DON’T COMBAT IT! EMBRACE IT! Build a robust and modern website for Internet sales. It’s no secret that consumers are buying more and more big-ticket items online.

“You are the driving force of design, innovation, and creativity in the outdoor space. Channel all of that into your website, social media, and blog posts. Offer everything you have in your stores online. You can’t fight a tidal wave with a garden hose. Get a surfboard and ride along!”

Forecast for the Patio Industry in 2020: “The industry as a whole will be up, yet channels of distribution are ever-changing. Innovations in logistics and delivery to retailers and consumers will be huge heading into the next decade.”

Years Reading Hearth & Home: “Eleven years.”

Reasons for Reading Hearth & Home: “I’ve felt for years that Hearth & Home’s in-depth reporting has been a major benefit to the industry. Richard and his team do a great job in helping address issues and topics that are happening in our industry – with objective analysis.”