NEWH - Summer 2015 - 30

Q&A

Meet Kate Alison
Grubb

President of the Dallas chapter and sales
representative at Alison & Company

How did you become involved in NEWH?
I became a member of the Dallas chapter when I started
working for Alison & Company, my family's manufacturer's
representative agency. My mother Sue and our coworker Tanya
Patnode are former board members of the Dallas chapter. They
encouraged me to become a member, and I've been involved with
our chapter ever since.
What has NEWH done for you, both personally and professionally? 
Being a member of our Dallas chapter has given me the
opportunity to meet so many wonderful people-more than I
could have ever hoped to meet on my own. Being involved is so
key to learning and growing as a new person in our industry. The
relationships that I've built both personally and professionally
are priceless.
What does the Dallas chapter have going on this year?
2015 has already been a wild ride for our organization. In
January, we were honored to host the NEWH Leadership
Conference and Product Showcase, and we could not be more
pleased with the turnout. In April, our student members were
invited to attend our student night, Next & Now, which is one of
the most touching events we host all year. Student attendees are
given a full panel discussion and portfolio review by some of our
industry's biggest visionaries and noted principals. In May, our
chapter scholarship chairs completed their interview and award
process for the year and are granting more than $30,000 to some
truly amazing students. Now, we are gearing up for our largest
event for the year, our annual fundraiser and scholarship dinner,
which will take place this October. Our chapter is lucky to have
an incredibly dedicated board of directors (past and present)
who are passionate about the disciplines they serve in.

32 www.newh.org

Tell us a bit about Alison & Company and what's new.
Alison & Company is a sales agency representing decorative
and custom lighting manufacturers in Texas, Oklahoma, and
New Mexico. My mom and dad started the agency in 1985 and
have been working ever since. I started working for them in
2007 after graduating college, and I am lucky to work alongside
family and friends every day. We represent some of the most
innovative and accommodating brands in the lighting industry
and our manufacturer's initiatives for 2015 are focused on
inventive design and energy-efficient options to fit in any budget.
While many of our brands have been on the forefront of LED
technology, in 2015 the push for efficiency is really fi nding a
place in the decorative lighting world.
What is your business outlook for the next year or two?
I have a very positive outlook for the next few years. It is so
inspiring to see our design community full of life and growth.
With much of our work taking place in the digital world, time
management and clear communication skills will be critical to
successful growth over the next year as our respective workloads
continue to increase.
Latest personal travel highlight or plan?
My husband Patrick and I are expecting our fi rst child this
July so there are no big travel plans set for now. We're looking
forward to being homebodies through the fall and enjoying the
holidays with a growing family and friends.
When you aren't working or at an NEWH event, where can we
find you?
Recently, we've been at home working on a few renovations
before baby Grubb arrives. Typically though, my husband and I
enjoy cooking and entertaining friends and family and playing
with our three dogs. ❙❘❚
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NEWH - Summer 2015

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