ORRA Announces New President and New Look
The Oriental Rug Retailers Association (ORRA) announced that they have adopted a new logo and appointed a new president. At its January 2015 meetings ORRA elevated Rob Leahy of FINE RUGS OF CHARLESTON to a two year term as the organization’s leader.
Rob Leahy
Upon his appointment Rob said, “I am pleased and honored to be chosen as the new President of ORRA. Over the last three years, as a board member, I have come to appreciate the persevering work of our retiring President, Rich Amatulli. Rich will continue as my Membership Chairman and advisor. Over those years I have gained the friendship of the other members of our board. I look forward to working with them in the coming years.”
At the upcoming Atlanta International Area Rug Market the organization will begin to do business as ‘ORRA ~ A Rug Education Association’. This name change will become permanent, once ratified by its membership, and underscores the board’s commitment to education. A fresh new logo has been designed and approved for use beginning in July 2015.
Shortly, members will see a new, much improved website that will provide many instructive tools designed to help members and the member’s staff to improve their rug knowledge. Check back often to www.orrainc.com to see what’s new!
In other important news, ORRA has refreshed the Certified Rug Appraiser program endeavoring to make acquisition of the highly valued CRA the goal of all members. The organization has initiated a Certified Rug Professional (CRP) designation which will be awarded to members who pass the written portion of the certification process while preparing for the rug identification portion of the CRA.
Speaking about the future, Rob added, “With the board, I look forward to helping guide the organization towards renewed relevance and sustained growth. I have been in and around the rug trade since 1971 and have a range of experiences that shape my vision of the direction that accomplishes these goals.”
ORRA has a full agenda of events and seminars, many which are designed to prepare members for the CRA examination. That agenda is attached and all meetings will take place in AmericasMart Building 1, 4th Floor, Seminar Room 4-B-1. Among the ORRA meetings will be a meet and greet with Rob Leahy on Thursday, July 9th at 12:30 PM.
