AURORA, Ill., July 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BERNINA of America, the premier manufacturer of sewing, embroidery and quilting machines, is pleased to honor its top Dealers for 2017 that demonstrated exemplary sales, service, and customer education.  These Dealers were recognized at the BERNINA University Dealer training conference, which was held last week in Chicago.

“Our top Dealers for 2017 represented BERNINA with truly outstanding sales and first-class customer service and educational support,” said Paul Ashworth, president of BERNINA of America.  “They are a model of success for other BERNINA Dealers to emulate.  We congratulate them on a job well done.”

In business for over 35 years, Diana and John Marshall, owners of Gloversville Sewing Center with locations in Gloversville and Saratoga N.Y., received the 2017 BERNINA Presidential Award.  The award recognizes the Dealer that best exemplifies the spirit of cooperation and education represented by the BERNINA brand.  This includes the implementation of a successful integrated marketing program that supports the entire BERNINA product line, modern store merchandising, a well-developed educational approach, dedication and years serving BERNINA customers, and above-average growth in dollar sales and BERNINA units sold. 

The 2017 Rookie of the Year Award was presented to Stacie and Brad Johnson and Joseph Webb, Cupcake Fabrics & Quilts, Humble and Spring, Texas and William Fosé and Jackie Gilbreth, 35 th Ave Sew & Vac, Phoenix, Ariz. Both dealerships incorporated the lessons of BERNINA Dealer training into its first year of operation as a BERNINA dealer delivering impressive 2017 results.  Also recognized for the award were Lori Carpenter, The Inspired Sewist, Jupiter, Fla., and Sona Thorburn, BERNINA World of Sewing, Raleigh, N.C.   

2017 Top Dealer of the Year Award winner for multiple Dealer locations included:

  • Rhonda Lopez and Family, Nuttall’s, Layton, Murray, Pleasant Grove and Riverton, Utah
  • Richard and Rod Borget, Dave’s BERNINA, Provo and St. George, Utah
  • Nick Meabon, Atlanta Sewing Center, Augusta, Duluth & Marietta, Ga.
  • Paul LaPonte, Quality Sewing & Vacuum, Ballard, Bellevue, Bellingham, Everett, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kirkland, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Puyallup, Seattle, Silverdale, Tacoma and Tukwila, Wash.
  • Stacie and Brad Johnson and Joseph Webb, Cupcake Quilts, Humble and Spring, Texas

2017 Top Dealer of the Year Award winners for a single Dealer location included:

  • Ervin Zimmerman, Hinkletown Sewing Machine Shop, Ephrata, Pa.
  • Leon and Linda Hoover, Hoover’s BERNINA Sew, Mifflinburg, Pa.
  • Timothy and Lois Hoover, Top Stitch Sewing Service, Barnett, Mo.
  • Dawn Krier, Chestnut Ridge Sewing, Millersburg, Ohio
  • Ron and Barbara Goldkorn, Sew Much More, Austin, Texas

In addition, District Dealer of the Year Award winners from the BERNINA’s 11 districts were acknowledged:

  • Melissa Helms, Keep Me in Stitches, Largo and Tampa, Fla.
  • Leon and Linda Hoover, Hoover’s BERNINA Sew, Mifflinburg, Pa.
  • Michelle and Richard Strassburg, Fabric Affair, Troy, Mich.
  • The Gattinella Family, Close to Home, Glastonbury, Orange, Southington, Conn.
  • Timothy and Lois Hoover, Top Stitch Sewing Service, Barnett, Mo.
  • Bill and Melissa Klingensmith, BERNINA Sew N Quilt Studio, Chattanooga, Tenn.
  • Laurie Mangold, Sew Special Quilts, Katy and San Antonio, Texas
  • Carie McGhie, Going Batty Quilt Shop, Reno, Nev.
  • Paul LaPonte, Quality Sewing & Vacuum, Ballard, Bellevue, Bellingham, Everett, Federal Way, Issaquah, Kirkland, Mount Vernon, Olympia, Puyallup, Seattle, Silverdale, Tacoma and Tukwila, Wash.
  • John Brubaker, Brubaker’s Sewing & Furniture, Withee, Wis.
  • Richard and Rod Borget, Dave’s BERNINA, Provo and St. George, Utah

              About BERNINA Founded in Switzerland more than 100 years ago, BERNINA is the world’s premier manufacturer with a proven reputation for offering quality state-of-the-art sewing, quilting and embroidery machines, overlockers, and embroidery software.  BERNINA’s leadership is marked by an impressive number of ambassadors, industry leaders, influencers and bloggers who chose to partner with the company.  BERNINA products are sold in the United States through a network of over 400 fully trained independent dealerships that also offer support and education.  Select BERNINA and bernette machines, and BERNINA software can also be purchased online.  BERNINA products are designed for beginning to advanced sewists and priced to meet a variety of budgets, with new products being introduced every year.  You can follow BERNINA on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/berninausa , Instagram: @BERNINAUSA , and Pinterest:  www.pinterest.com/WeAllSew , and read BERNINA’s WeAllSew blog at www.weallsew.com .  To learn more about BERNINA and to find a Dealer, visit www.bernina.com or call (630)978-2500.

Media Contact for BERNINA of America, Inc.:  Joanne Tedesco, (312)780-7210, jtedesco@dresnerco.com