News

Gift and Home Trade Association (GHTA) announced that Brittany Waters, operations and marketing director at Schauben & Co., was named the recipient of fifth annual 2025 Chad Corzine Young Gift & Home Executive Award. The Award was presented to Waters at the recent GHTA Conference held at The Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, Park City, Utah.

Waters’s growth within the industry epitomizes what this award is all about. Waters has spent her entire adult life in the industry starting in high school until 11 years later (today), working in positions starting as a showroom assistant to now managing all aspects of the showroom operations from advertising, web support, vendor relations and much more at Schauben & Co.

Waters is the leader behind the scenes making the magic of a showroom come alive. Several of her skills are self-taught showing her initiative, entrepreneur spirit and can do/must do attitude. She leads by example, and her talents and enthusiasm exemplify those of Chad Corzine.

“GHTA has recognized salespeople, product designers, agency principals, industry execs and now it’s truly an honor to add the key position of showroom operations and Brittany’s name to this prestigious list.” said Committee Chair Michael Nieves, Paladone.

The Chad Corzine Gift and Home Young Executive Award

The industry lost a dear friend to many when Chad Corzine passed away in 2021. Chad cofounded YGE (Young Gift Executives) back in 2014 with the intent to give a voice to young industry leaders without a seat at the table. YGE soon merged with GHTA in 2015 and as a result saw an influx of young executives attending conferences, becoming board members, and becoming vocal leaders in our industry. Now the YGE name isn’t as recognizable today but without this start the young leaders in our industry may not have the voice they need today to carry us to tomorrow

The Chad Corzine Young Gift & Home Executive of the Year is awarded to an individual who demonstrates the following qualities:

• A passion for this industry
• A passion for their business
• One that you recognize as a future leader in this industry
• Under the age of 35

Previous award winners:

• 2021 Recipient: Ryan Lanzel
• 2022 Recipient: Chelsea Peabody Bohannan, APR
• 2023 Recipient: Emalee Hoffman
• 2024 Recipient: Nikki Creveling