For the Week of December 23rd

Management Changes:

International Mass Retail Association (IMRA, Arlington, Va., alliance of retailers and their product and service providers) has appointed Sandra Kennedy president. She succeeds Robert Verdisco, who will retire at the end of the year and serve as an advisor to Kennedy until the end of 2003. Kennedy was previously the architect of Accenture's Leadership Dialogue Series, a global learning program for senior executives in retail, consumer products and pharmaceuticals, and for seven years, senior vp of member services for the National Retail Federation.

ITC Manufacturing & Powder Coating (Phoenix wire mesh products manufacturer) has named Jim Bradshaw president. Bradshaw, who joined ITC in 2000, is responsible for ensuring that customers receive on-time-delivery, competitive pricing and high-quality products.

AdSpace Networks Inc. (Burlingame, Calif., digital display networks manufacturer) has hired Soon Yu as its vp of marketing. Yu is responsible for the company's marketing and corporate development efforts. He previously served as partner and marketing practice lead for Blacksquare, a provider of technology-based solutions to Fortune 1000 companies.

Chicago Metallic Corp. (Chicago ceiling systems, doorframe systems and specialty products manufacturer) has added Stephen Franey to its staff. Franey is responsible for coordinating the company's sales team in Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

Business Briefs:

MOD/Michael Osborne Design (San Francisco design firm) has created naming, identity and packaging for Janie and Jack, Gymboree's new specialty retail concept for babies. MOD created designs to enhance the store's distinct boutique feel with a range of materials. The firm also has worked over the last several years on the Gymboree brand.

Laboratory Institute of Merchandising (LIM, New York four-year accredited college), the college for the business of fashion, has announced that the New York State Department of Higher Education has authorized the college to grant a bachelor of business administration (BBA) degree in visual merchandising. Students can apply for entrance into the program for the fall 2003 semester, while freshmen and sophomores who currently have a concentration in visual merchandising can now declare that as their major and degree choice.

Auerbach + Associates (San Francisco performing arts design and consulting firm) and Auerbach + Glasow (San Francisco architectural lighting design and consulting division) have completed work on the new Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts at the University of California — Davis. Their work included the 1800-seat Barbara K. and W. Turrentine Jackson Hall, a multi-purpose venue for touring arts programming, meetings, lectures and ceremonies.

The Museum of FIT (New York) will host a “Fashion, Italian Style” exhibit from February 11 through April 12, 2003. The exhibit will feature about 100 women's and men's fashions, as well as textiles and accessories, by internationally known designers, and will examine how fashion in Italy became a leading influence in the world of style. For more information, call 212-217-5800 or visit web site www.fitnyc.edu/museum.