About Custom Home Furnishings

The CHF Academy – The Academy began in 1995 and was formally known as the Professional Drapery School. Founded by Cheryl Strickland, the school was purchased in 2005 by Margie and Andy Nance. It is the only Career Training School of its kind for this industry and is endorsed by other well established industry associations such as Window Fashions Certified Professionals (www.wfcppro.com) and the Society of Decorating Professionals (www.thesdp.com). Students come from all over the world to attend this prestigious establishment. Located in Charlotte, North Carolina, the CHF Academy is a 10,000sf facility with three state of the art classrooms and an in house video production studio. Students get hands on experience with most of the tools and equipment found within the industry.

Jeanelle Dech, Director/CEO, Shares more than 20 years of entrepreneurial business experience and passion for education. She began her career with a home-based slipcover business that quickly evolved into a full service interior design studio with an on-site workroom and eight employees, which sold in 2005. She is the founder of Adaptive Textiles, a digital textile printing company in West Chester, PA, and serves on the national board of directors for the Window Coverings Association of America. She has been an instructor at the CHF Academy teaching business planning and slipcover fabrication for six years. In October 2009, Jeanelle was promoted to CEO to lead the CHF Academy through its next phase of growth. Jeanelle has become known for energizing and innovative approach to business, fabrication, and education, and is a popular speaker at industry events. She is honored to be working with such a creative and talented management team dedicated to the tradition of training and inspiring professionals.

Michele Williams, Communications Director, left a successful career in financial software design to open a drapery workroom in Alpharetta, GA, in 2000. The business grew to offer full design, fabrication and installation services. In 2009, Michele was hired to develop and teach the Professional Window Treatment Consultant class at the CHF academy, utilizing her love of process, procedure and organization. Michele currently serves on the national board of directors for the Window Coverings Association of America and is President of the Atlanta Chapter. Her goal is to elevate the industry and encourage individual achievement by incorporating professional business practices. Michele calls on her formal education in the area of Management Information Systems and Administrative Management as she embarks on her new role as Communications Director for the CHF Academy.

Margie Nance, Creative Director, began in the custom home furnishings industry in 1992 as the owner of Best Dressed Windows, a wholesale drapery workroom in Charlotte, NC. The business grew to employ seven people and service interior designers across the country. Recognized as a generous and gifted instructor, she was hired by Cheryl Strickland to develop the Career Professional™ program at the Professional Drapery School in Swannanoa, NC. She was quickly promoted to Director of Education. In 2005, Margie and her husband, Andy, purchased the school and moved it to Charlotte. Margie offers exceptional talents in the area of technology, exemplified by the launch of a video studio within the CHF Academy, the production of professionally filmed training DVDs, and the development of webinar education. Margie is a WFCP Master and regarded as a workroom and design expert. She founded the Drapery & Design Professional magazine in 2009, and continues as an editor and a CHF Academy instructor.

Andy Nance, Facilities Manager, began an early career working with his family in a second-generation construction firm. In 1984 Andy trained as a wallpaper hanger and then later as a drapery installer, which led to his introduction to the custom home furnishings trade. He was the supervising installer, cornice fabricator and co-owner of Best Dressed Windows until it was sold in 2005. Andy is the resident jack-of-all-trades for the CHF Academy, skilled in many areas of construction. He handles everything from building maintenance and school store inventory to classroom preparation, and is responsible for day-to-day operations and student services. Students and instructors love the relaxed and lighthearted environment he creates. When instructors were asked what they like most about working at the new location in Charlotte, they unanimously responded, We Love Andy!

Peggy Brewer, Education Coordinator, began her career as a medical records transcriber and, later, as the unit secretary for a hospital operating room. In 1987, she began training for a new career as a legal assistant, a profession she continued for 14 years. In 2001 Peggy was hired as the Event Coordinator for the Custom Home Furnishings Conference and as the Executive Assistant to Cheryl Strickland. When the school was sold to the Nances, Peggy continued with the company, and became invaluable to the new owners as they transitioned to the new location. Peggy handles the administrative aspects of the student experience including registration, school store purchases, forum troubleshooting and course scheduling. In addition, she serves as an instructor liaison. Peggy is known for her patience, kindness and attention to detail, and is loved by all who know her.