Debbie Miller
DPHA President 2008
Millers Decorative Plumbing & Hardware
Dania, FL

DPHA membership means much more than belonging to an industry organization. DPHA members have developed professional and personal relationships with the three critical partners in the supply chain: manufacturers, representatives and showrooms. DPHA offers a format for continual growth enabling the organization and member companies to evolve.

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Timothy Murphy
General Manager Retail Operations
Klaff's
Norwalk, CT

I am a proud member of DHPA for many important reasons. I have learned from THE BEST People in the industry ways that I can improve my business, not only in the everyday decisions, but also the large visionary package (the big picture).

Through networking, attending the educational portion of the conference, be it the keynote speaker (always of best caliber) or the separate break out sessions, I always find a new way to bring value to my business, and my customers. I have has countless successes cementing my relationships with my vendors.

I have learned through the Association ways to lighten my customer’s mood and approaching my showroom with the proper signage and colors. DPHA has taught me strategies to teach my sales staff the right things to do, to close sales, and even the proper way to approach a customer and read their body language. Because of my DPHA involvement, I have learned how to turn more of my sales into profitable sales.

If you have a particular problem that needs attention, you have a forum on the DPHA website to solve the problem, whether it’s a faucet part problem or an employee motivation issue.

DHPA is the number one trade association in this industry. If you want access to the best minds in the industry, you have found a home, usually with the possibility of making some good friends.

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Jonathan Paul
Paul Decorative Products Inc.
New York, NY

DPHA is the cherry on top of our well designed, well manufactured parfait.  Many companies selling commodities try to add whipped cream to create some allure that hides their mass market truth, but DPHA isn't about that. Members have to bring either truly unique products or a decorative showroom to the party otherwise they don't get in.

We believe in and uphold the DPHA and its mission. It's a credential with significance. It brings us closer to the customers we most support and embrace, and separates us from those who proffer value rather than design.

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Jon Spector
President/CEO
Dornbracht Americas
Duluth, GA

From the first KBIS Reception, when the DPHa was still just a passionate dream, until the present, with the Association enjoying a strong position within our industry, Dornbracht has enjoyed its participation as a member to a unique organization. The level of interaction among the members is excellent.  Relevant conversation about
important topics affecting the business success of independent decorative hardware businesses, manufacturers' representatives and manufacturers are one of the foundations of DPHA. The openness of the dialogue and the positive time to strengthen relations serve as a wonderful benefit.

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Jamie Gregg
DPHA President 2004
Colonial Bronze
Torrington, CT

The following reasons are why I joined DPHA:

• Candid conversations  with customers

• A sounding board for  existing and proposed policies and practices

• Ideas for new products

• Relationships that improve our company's reputation and bottom line

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Jim Babbitt
DPHA President 2006
Hot2Cold
Northfield, IL

For 15 years, I have been a part of this industry as an independent manufacturer rep.  For almost all of these years, I was allowed to participate silently, but not to join. DPHA was the first organization that not only allowed me to join, but encouraged and welcomed my participation and opinions.  It is the first organization to actually believe that there are three equal parts of our industry – distributor/dealer, manufacturer and manufacturer representative. To be viewed and treated as an equal has been a wonderfully refreshing experience. It has recharged my batteries, and once again raised my enthusiasm and appreciation for the industry in which I live and work.  

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Tony Carter
Carter Hardware
Beverly Hills, CA

I am a member of DPHA to help our industry become more professional and better known to our customers as a trusted resource they can depend on. We have used the education modules to help train our associates. It is
my hope that the DPHA will help "raise the bar" for businesses in our industry and this ultimately benefits the consumer.

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Caspar de Jong
Legacy Brass
Carson, CA

Until about 5 years ago, there was an almost adversarial atmosphere in the decorative industry. Showrooms felt that the manufacturers were taking advantage of them and that the sales reps were only interested in getting as
much money as they could for the least amount of work. The reps knew that they were being taken advantage of by both the showrooms and the manufacturers and were never paid their worth.

Some members of each segment realized that we were really all are in partnership with each other and that the adversarial feelings came mostly from misunderstandings of the other segments. Finding several like-minded
individuals, these individuals started DPHA, whose purpose is and was to promote a partnership between the three segments to advance the industry as a whole. The ability to communicate openly and honestly with other members of the decorative industry helps educate members about the needs and desires of the other industry segments. With better understanding comes progress and growth.

With better knowledge and understanding of each others' products and needs come fewer errors that lead to better overall service and profitability for all segments. It also leads to a happier and more trouble-free experience for the consumer, who, ultimately, is the person that we are all trying to satisfy.

DPHA provides the education and the networking possibilities that are difficult to find in any other organization.  DPHA members from all segments are treated as equals. DPHA is the only organization that caters exclusively to the decorative industry and is a catalyst for moving the entire industry forward.

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Robert Lando
Community Home Supply Compnay, Inc.
Chicago, IL

Our company has found that the DPHA Education Program is invaluable in helping to train new showroom personal and reinforce the training to experienced associates. I have personally found that the networking at the
annual meeting offers unique benefits.

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