I want to point your attention to the latest issue of viewpoint magazine. In it, we celebrate women in the industry. And as I wrote in my introduction to the issue, someday I hope we don’t have to create a special issue to celebrate women in the industry. Someday, I hope women are celebrated and respected in the same way men are and have always been. But until then, it is right and good to celebrate “Women in the Industry” and the contributions they make.

We’ve published viewpoint magazine for a few years now and I think our March issue is the best we’ve ever created, mainly because of the women who agreed to write a column for the magazine. I don’t thank our contributors enough for the knowledge they share with the industry (Thank you contributors!). You may not know these incredible women, so I thought I would briefly introduce you to them today.

I’ll start with Marilyn McSweeney, who is a regular columnist at viewpoint magazine. Marilyn is the owner of The McSweeney Group, an executive recruiting firm that works mainly in the office furniture industry. She’s so good at her job in recruiting because she’s worked in the industry, first as a designer with Goodmans Interior Structures, then with Henriksen/Butler as a senior account executive and Commercial Contract Group. She started recruiting in 1997 and started her own business in 2009. Marilyn and I first met at a conference in New Orleans and we discussed writing a column for viewpoint while taking a long walk along the Mississippi River and French Quarter. She is kind, caring and an amazing listener, all the best attributes of a great recruiter. She is also a strong writer who understands this industry better than most.

Amanda Buck is another regular viewpoint columnist. I met Amanda at an INDEAL Champion Conference and we started talking about writing. I was looking for a dealer designer and salesperson who could write about their experiences for viewpoint and Amanda was looking to do some writing. She brings a fresh perspective to every issue she contributes to, often with a dash of humor and personal anecdotes that resonate with readers. I’ve heard from several readers who said they like Amanda’s columns because they relate to what she writes. Amanda is the business development manager for Sunline Office in Philadelphia.

Of the contributors in the March issue of viewpoint, I’ve probably known Michelle Warren the longest. Though I didn’t know her when she was a global account manager for Haworth, I did meet her in her next stop as executive vice president of sales and marketing at AIS. I also ran into her often when she worked at Neutral Posture, ESI and Fellowes. But she has really found her niche as a business owner and founder of Catalyst Consulting Group, which helps commercial furniture manufacturers increase sales and revenues by developing targeted and strategic selling programs, often helping them navigate the government furniture market. Michelle is one of the strongest business leaders I’ve ever met. She is passionate about helping her customers. And there is no one on the planet who knows more about selling furniture to the government.

I’ve known Erin Torres for quite a while too. I first met Erin when she was marketing director at AIS. From that experience and others, she has built an excellent career in marketing and she is very good at it. I admire Erin for her work, sure, but mostly because of her faith. I’m not a terribly religious person myself, but it is clear when you meet her that Erin lives her faith. She is the mother of seven children and manages to take care of her family and work in marketing — no small task.

I haven’t known Jolene Levin for as long as the others, but she is the kind of person that makes you feel as if you have known her for a lot longer than you have. Jolene is a spark plug of energy. And you can feel that electricity crackling under the surface when you talk to her. She is passionate about children, education and how spaces can help foster learning. She founded NorvaNivel with her husband, Arvon, and has spent her life as a champion of children and learning. Smart, strategic and passionate, Jolene is changing the world through her work.

I am highlighting these contributors not because they are women, but because they are very good at what they do and to thank them for sharing that knowledge with our readers. I also consider all of them friends. They are good people and if you have a chance, reach out to them when they write a good column that resonates with you. Let them know that you are reading and thank them for sharing.