Chilewich is pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa Villa as Senior Vice President of Contract Sales. She will be based out of the company’s corporate and creative headquarters in Manhattan, beginning today. This position marks Villa’s return to Chilewich, where she served as Contract Sales Director for the New York area from April 2018 through January 2020. She most recently served as Vice President of Contract for JF Fabrics, headquartered near Toronto.
In her new role, Villa will lead the Chilewich Contract domestic and international sales force as well as the established network of international distributors for Chilewich Contract design solutions, which encompass installed flooring products, rugs, wall textiles, upholstery fabric, and window coverings, all suitable for applications ranging from healthcare and corporate to hospitality and multi-family living.
“Melissa is a seasoned, strategic leader with more than two decades of experience in the architecture and design industry—and a passion for Chilewich’s unique combination of aesthetic originality, proven performance, and easy maintenance,” said John McPhee, Chief Executive Officer of Chilewich. “We are pleased to welcome her back at a time of accelerating growth and tremendous opportunity for our Contract division, which is poised to reach new heights on her watch.”
As Vice President of Contract for JF Fabrics, Villa oversaw a team of 35 independent sales representatives throughout North America and Asia. She drew upon her experience as an outside sales representative and showroom manager to successfully supervise her team and provide them with the tools and knowledge necessary to propel substantial business growth. Before joining Chilewich in 2018, she held positions with Pollock/Weitzner, Innovations in Wallcoverings, and Donghia.
“I am excited to rejoin the team at Chilewich, which has always placed original design—and designers—first,” said Villa. “I look forward to working closely with all departments and building strong relationships with the sales force. By focusing on innovation, partnership, and client connections, we can work together to realize the enormous potential for the Contract division.”
About Chilewich
Founded in 2000 by Sandy Chilewich and headquartered in New York City, Chilewich combines original design with American craftsmanship through durable, distinctive textiles for residential, commercial, and transportation applications. These woven coverings for tabletops, floors, walls, windows, and more are made in the United States, and the design-led company has its own factory in Chatsworth, Georgia. Available in more than 100 countries, Chilewich products feature innovative weaves, multi-tonal colors, indoor/outdoor versatility, and easy maintenance. Seven Chilewich designs are in the permanent collection of the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.