National Upholstery Association

Officers
Members at Large

PRESIDENT

Samantha Kuczynski is the owner of Stuffed & Tufted, an upholstery business in Baltimore, MD. Before pursuing upholstery full-time, Sam worked as a Props Artisan for a professional theatre, where she developed a love for furniture restoration. She taught herself the craft through books, online resources, and hands-on practice, transforming her passion into a thriving business.

Over the past six years, Sam has built a reputation for quality residential work while also collaborating with museums, local shops, furniture makers, and designers. A member of the NUA Board since 2023, Sam served as Secretary in 2024 and is now stepping into the role of Vice President.

As a board member, Sam has been a vocal advocate for raising awareness of upholstery and growing NUA membership. She believes the trade is alive and thriving, and she is dedicated to making industry knowledge more accessible while supporting its continued growth and innovation.

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Vice PRESIDENT

Grace Reff is the Development Director at Peters Valley School of Craft, a center for craft education in New Jersey. She has over a decade of experience in fundraising for arts and cultural organizations. Grace holds an MA in Material Culture from the Bard Graduate Center, where her thesis explored the design and cultural significance of the butaque chair. She owns Grace Ann Upholstery, and is passionate about the history of upholstery, advancing upholstery education, and fostering a sense of community within the trade.

Secretary

Tammy Dickens Packard brings extensive corporate leadership experience, business development expertise, and a passion for furniture design to the NUA Board of Directors. Her interest in design began with her grandparents, inspiring her to study Interior Design at Michigan State University. Tammy spent 20 years in the corporate sector, achieving remarkable success in new product development for hybrid commercial trucks, growing customer reach from 3% to 56% within a year.

In 2019, Tammy founded Unique Short Tree (UST) with her son, creating custom, sustainable furniture for residential and commercial clients. Her leadership roles include serving as President of the Human Resource Association of Greater Detroit and contributing to the Oakland County Conservation District.

A new NUA member, Tammy is eager to leverage her skills in business management, sustainability, and member engagement to strengthen the NUA’s mission and support the upholstery industry.

Treasurer

Melisa Longo is the owner of Sassy Tacks Upholstery Studio and has worked professionally as an upholsterer for 18 years. With a background in mechanical engineering and project management, she blends analytical problem-solving with

hands-on creative skill. Before launching her studio, Melisa held leadership roles with FedEx and Bank of America and has extensive volunteer experience as PTO President, PTO Treasurer, and Church Treasurer. This deep financial and organizational background has prepared her to step into the NUA Treasurer role while also serving as a new

board member. A lifelong maker, Melisa transformed her passion for sewing, design, and DIY into a full-time business. Since joining the NUA in 2025, she has actively participated in webinars and community events. She looks forward to supporting the NUA's mission by strengthening collaboration, financial stewardship, and professional growth within the upholstery community.

Ella Hall is the Co-Founder of Stitchroom, a Brooklyn-based upholstery shop specializing in custom pillows, banquette seating, curtains, and more. With a degree in Fashion Design from Parsons and a background in interior design, Ella modernized the upholstery industry by integrating technology, creating streamlined services for designers and customers.

Leading an all-female executive team, Ella has implemented progressive initiatives like a four-day work week and developed a platform to simplify upholstery ordering and tracking. Under her leadership, Stitchroom has become a leader in efficiency, creativity, and sustainability.

As Chair of Events for the National Upholstery Association, Ella has organized regional events and nationwide gatherings to build community within the industry. In 2024, she spoke at the Custom Workroom Conference and participated in webinars, highlighting her dedication to education and collaboration. Ella remains committed to fostering connection and innovation within the upholstery industry.

Ragne has been a professional upholsterer for nearly 15 years, running her own business creating custom furnishings and one-of-a-kind "functional art" that blends beauty and utility. Using innovative techniques like 3D printing, rug tufting, and custom fabrics, her vibrant "color explosions" are shipped worldwide.

An experienced instructor, Ragne teaches traditional upholstery techniques with an emphasis on safety and creativity. As an admin for the Professional Upholsterer’s Network (PUN) for 7 years, she fosters a positive, supportive community for its 5,000 members.

Involved with the NUA since its founding, Ragne envisions expanding member benefits to include healthcare options, industry partnerships, and consumer education on reupholstery sustainability. Her skills in social media management, member engagement, planning, and budgeting make her an asset to the NUA. Passionate about the industry, she is dedicated to fostering growth, innovation, and support for peers and emerging talent.

Scott Coley is a seasoned furniture designer with over 30 years of experience and 64 U.S. design patents. A North Carolina native, Scott holds a BFA in furniture design from Kendall College of Art and Design. His career spans collaborations with major U.S. furniture makers, historical associations, and celebrities, showcasing his expertise and passion for furniture history.

A former president of the International Society of Furniture Designers (ISFD), Scott has also served on boards like the Historic Burke Foundation and Burke County Arts Council. His 2024 book, Elements of Furniture Design, reflects his commitment to education and innovation.

Since joining the NUA last year, Scott has embraced upholstery as a focus for his next career phase, including a patent-pending concept. His leadership experience, design knowledge, and enthusiasm for blending tradition with innovation make him a valuable asset to the NUA Board.

Ron Trevarro is a dedicated craftsperson and owner of Pine Coast Upholstery & Renovations in Maine, specializing in restoring antique and vintage furniture using traditional methods. With decades of hands-on experience and AMUS training in Cornwall, UK, he blends historic craftsmanship with modern sustainability values. His career also includes extensive executive leadership in product development, marketing, and partnerships, most recently as Vice President at EBSCO Information Services. Ron believes strongly in mission alignment and measurable outcomes. A newer NUA member, he is passionate about elevating the upholstery trade through national standards, certification pathways, and greater public visibility. He hopes to inspire and support the next generation of upholsterers.

With 25+ years in the textiles and furnishings industry, Mellisa Bagwell serves as Director of Furnishings at Trivantage, leading national strategy for both interior and outdoor markets. Her background spans operations, distribution management, product development, and sales leadership. She has held numerous leadership roles at Trivantage and previously served as Membership Director for the Western Canvas Association. Mellisa's work centers on innovation, customer partnerships, and cross-functional collaboration. A long-time advocate for upholstery professionals, she aims to enhance member engagement, education, and industry awareness within the NUA. She is passionate about strengthening connections between suppliers, designers, and workrooms.

Rachel Fletcher began her upholstery career in the University of Tennessee- Knoxville's Props Department, upholstering period furniture for theatrical productions. In 2010, she opened Knox Upholstery and later joined the leadership team of the Professional Upholsterers Network, helping moderate a community of more than 6,000 professionals. Rachel was part of the founding group that created the National Upholstery Association in 2019 and served as its Founding President. She went on to hold additional board roles, including Immediate Past President and Nominating Committee Lead. Now the Operations Manager for Joona Fabriculture in California, Rachel brings experience from large commercial shops and smaller couture workrooms.

Raised in a family of upholsterers in East London, Simon Cohen learned the trade from an early age. He completed a full apprenticeship while working in his family's upholstery manufacturing company, once the largest in London. After launching his own business, Simon relocated to New York in 1994, where he continued working with leading manufacturers and high-end design firms. He has operated his own full-time upholstery and window-treatment company for the past decade. Simon brings lifelong craftsmanship, deep technical expertise, and an international industry perspective.