RETAILOBSERVER.COM JANUARY 2018
58
N E A R LY 4 0 0 L E A D E R S I N T H E C O N S U M E R T E C H N O L O G Y
I N D U S T R Y C A M E T O G E T H E R F O R A D L' S N AT I O N A L C O N S U M E R
T E C H N O L O G Y I N D U S T R Y ' S A N N U A L D I N N E R O N N O V E M B E R
4 T H AT C I P R I A N I 2 5 I N N E W Y O R K C I T Y.
T
he annual event of the National Consumer Technology
Industry paid tribute to Tom Hickman of the Nationwide
Marketing Group, presenting him with the Patricia Rienzi
Legacy Award, Mike Edwards formally of eBags with the American
Heritage Award, and Joe Stinziano of Samsung Electronics
receiving the Torch of Liberty Award.
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is one of the
nation's premier human relations and civil rights agencies and is
dedicated to combating anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry,
defending democratic ideals, and protecting civil rights for all.
The guests were addressed by evening emcee Shelly Palmer of
The Palmer Group and keynote speaker Jason Sirois, the director
of ADL's No Place For Hate
®
. Attendees enjoyed an outstanding
interactive presentation highlighting the initiative, which gives
students the tools to develop an educational climate built upon
mutual respect.
The industry is chaired by Fred Towns of NewAge Electronics
and vice chair Eric Schwartz of CTPG.
2017 HONOREES
PATRICIA RIENZI LEGACY AWARD
Tom Hickman
As executive vice president of Nationwide Marketing Group, Tom
Hickman serves the largest group of independent appliance,
electronics, furniture, and bedding dealers in North America.
Tom's independent roots run deep, getting his start in retail through
his family's Harbour Appliance & TV store in 1988. His dedication to
the channel began on the sales floor at BrandsMart USA and
progressed as his career blossomed. His stint as a trainer, along with
regional, national, and international representative positions, led to
corporate management responsibilities where he capped a 16-year
career with major CE manufacturer Toshiba.
Upon joining the Nationwide organization in 2012 as a merchant, his
role expanded to that of executive vice president, thanks in part to his
leadership of the CE merchandising team and management of
Nationwide's exclusive eXchange purchasing portal. He was
instrumental in crafting the groundbreaking strategic alliance between
A N T I - D E FA M AT I O N L E A G U E
N AT I O N A L C O N S U M E R T E C H N O L O G Y I N D U S T R Y
2017 ANNUAL
TRIBUTE AWARD DINNER
