Q&A CATCHING UP WITH Dallas Bentley What have you found to be most valuable about your NEWH involvement, both personally and professionally? What is valuable to me is discovering those unsung heroes of NEWH who believe in the mission but don't get the accolades. These are people who host committee meetings or do the grunt work year after year, but they don't necessarily hold a specific title. I aim to be like them. Every chapter has them. You have them on speed dial. Why do you recommend people get involved with NEWH? If you want to be involved and genuinely help others, there is a place for your talents at NEWH. There are very few barriers socially and professionally that NEWH can't help you break through. What is your proudest recent NEWH accomplishment? NEWH, Inc. EDOnline chair and director of hospitality sales, Marietta Drapery Helping others come out of their shell and discover their talents on stage and in professional settings. NEWH has helped me develop leadership skills and now I'm learning how to mentor others. What are you most looking forward to? I'm looking forward to making EDOnline, a pivotal educational piece to the NEWH portfolio of offerings to its members. What would people be interested to know about your company? We got our start sewing women's nylon stockings during World War II out of "seconds" because the war effort needed the best materials for uniforms. Seventy-five years and four generations later, we still find ways to sew a stitch to meet a need. Where do you find inspiration, both inside and outside the industry? I'm inspired by new graduates and the principals of firms who are smart enough to feed off their design/brand ideas. I see examples of this at tradeshow panels and in my own meetings. When you aren't working or at an NEWH event, where can we find you? Changing diapers or woodworking. ❙❘❚ 50 www.newh.orghttp://www.newh.org