Three industry veterans have been elected to the International Housewares Association’s (IHA) Board of Directors at its fall board meetings this week, IHA announced.
Additionally, three continuing board members were appointed to officer positions for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
New board members (three-year terms) are:
- Mark Adkison, president, Kuhn Rikon Corporation (pictured left)
- Cze-Chao Tam, CEO, Trinity International Industries (pictured middle)
- David Zrike, president, R Squared/Zrike Brands (pictured right)
Adkison is president of Kuhn Rikon Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of the family-owned Swiss company founded in 1926. Adkison has over 20 years of leadership in the housewares industry and drives the U.S.-based Kuhn Rikon team, driving strategy and growth across the North and South American markets. Before joining the company, Adkison served on IHA’s staff as vice president of member and buyer relations, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors of IHA’s International Business Council.
Tam became CEO of Trinity International Industries in 2014 and has overseen the expansion of the company’s offerings from a single product to more than 500 in storage, organization and home solutions with a focus on innovation, quality, and sustainability. In 2024, she spearheaded the launch of Renew, a housewares brand under the Trinity umbrella that brings her vision of environmental responsibility to life by using reclaimed, upcycled chopsticks in every design.
Zrike is president of R Squared/Zrike Brands, overseeing all product development, sales and sourcing and has been instrumental in the growth of licensed products in the discount channel. He has 42 years of experience in the home and housewares industry. He also served as president and creator of the Tabletop Association, which took over the promotion and management of the New York Tabletop Show. Having worked with factories in China for 25 years and as a member of IHA’s Government Affairs committee, he has played an active role in education and lobbying efforts surrounding tariffs and freight costs.
Current director appointed to officer positions (one-year terms) are:
- Chairman – Mike Otterman, president & CEO, Lodge Cast Iron
- Vice Chairman/Chairman Elect – Tom McMahon, president, Jura Inc.
- Treasurer – Sal Gabbay, CEO, Gibson Homewares
IHA’s 2025-26 Executive Committee was also confirmed at the fall meeting. The full committee includes officers Otterman, McMahon and Gabbay, as well as:
- Paul Cosaro, CEO, Picnic Time Inc. (IHA Immediate Past Chairman)
- Kim Cole, CEO, Gleener Inc.
- Bill McHenry, president & CEO, Widgeteer, Inc.
- Pamela Stafford, president & CEO, Hestan Culinary
