Friday, July 12, 2019

Council of Fellows' Spotlight: Marilyn Hermance

DPHA created the Council of Fellows to recognize career accomplishments. In keeping with DPHA’s tradition of innovation and defying convention, election to DPHA’s Council of Fellows is not simply an honor. It also is a call to continue to serve our organization and industry. The Council of Fellows does not have an agenda or mandate. The Council is expected to undertake projects that it deems important and vital to the continued success of our industry. As DPHA has matured, the organization continues to look to the Council of Fellows as a strategic think tank.

This week we feature Marilyn Hermance...

Marilyn Hermance is another pioneer in the decorative plumbing and hardware industry. She held a variety of jobs before entering the world of decorative plumbing and hardware. She was a child model, owned an automobile and truck company and taught American Studies at Case Western Reserve University. In 1977, Hermance returned to her native Houston. She became frustrated by the fact that she could not find products for her new house that she wanted. As a result, she opened Houston’s first decorative plumbing and hardware showroom. For the next two decades, the business grew steadily thanks to Hermance's sharp eye for innovative product and entrepreneurial passion to succeed.

Hermance recognized the need for her industry to come together and became one of the dynamic forces that helped create the DPH sector within NKBA. She also understood and appreciated the challenges facing entrepreneurs who may not have had formal business training. That is one of the reasons she helped establish the Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Houston and serves as one of the Program's adjunct professors.

Hermance continues to give back to her industry. She is a founding member of DPHA and served on the Board of Directors for many years. She was also a member of the Board of the Forte Buying Group. Her passion for the industry is an inspiration to all of the employees at Westheimer Hardware.

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