Mike Otterman of Lodge Cast Iron Elected IHA Chairman
ROSEMONT, ILL. (September 12, 2025)—Three industry veterans were elected to the International Housewares Association’s (IHA) Board of Directors at IHA’s fall Board meeting this week. In addition, three continuing Board members were appointed to officer positions for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
New Board members (three-year terms) are:
- Mark Adkison, president, Kuhn Rikon Corporation
- Cze-Chao Tam, CEO, TRINITY International Industries
- David Zrike, president, R Squared/Zrike Brands
Current Directors appointed to officer positions (one-year terms) are:
- Chairman – Mike Otterman, president & CEO, Lodge Cast Iron
- Vice Chairman/Chairman Elect – Tom McMahon, president, Jura Inc.
- Treasurer – Sal Gabbay, CEO, Gibson Homewares
New IHA Board Members
Mark Adkison is president of Kuhn Rikon Corporation, the U.S. subsidiary of the family-owned Swiss company founded in 1926. With over 20 years of leadership in the housewares industry, Adkison spearheads the U.S.-based team, driving strategy and growth across the North and South American markets. Under his guidance, Kuhn Rikon continues to inspire culinary enthusiasts with innovative, high-quality products designed to elevate the preparation, service and enjoyment of memorable dining experiences. Before joining the company, Adkison served on IHA’s staff as vice president of member and buyer relations, in addition to serving on the Board of Directors of IHA’s International Business Council.
Cze-Chao Tam became CEO of TRINITY International Industries in 2014 and has overseen expansion of the company’s offerings from a single product to more than 500 products in storage, organization and home solutions with a focus on innovation, quality and sustainability. In 2024, Tam spearheaded the launch of RENEW, a housewares brand under the TRINITY umbrella, that brings her vision for environmental responsibility to life by using reclaimed, upcycled chopsticks in every design. Their U.S. factory produces a wide array of home décor and serveware, diverting more than eight million bamboo chopsticks from landfills and transforming them into stylish, functional pieces for the home.
David Zrike is president of R Squared/Zrike Brands. He oversees all product development, sales and sourcing and has been instrumental in the growth of licensed products in the discount channel. With 42 years of experience in the home and housewares industry, he also served as president and creator of the Tabletop Association, which took over the promotion and management of the New York Tabletop Show. Having worked with factories in China for 25 years, Zrike has extensive experience in improving quality and design to meet the needs of American consumers. As a member of IHA’s Government Affairs committee, he has played an active role in education and lobbying efforts surrounding tariffs and freight costs.
Newly Elected Officers
Mike Otterman joined Lodge Cast Iron, the 129-year-old U.S.-based manufacturer of cast iron cookware and cooking accessories, in 2016 as SVP, sales & marketing. He was named as the first non-family CEO in January 2019. Having more than 26 years of experience in the housewares industry, Otterman has worked for several supplier companies beginning with Applica Consumer Products’ Black & Decker Corporation from 1997 to 2004. Before joining Lodge, he served as vice president, global marketing & merchandising, for The Coleman Co., a division of Jarden Corp., from 2014 to 2016; vice president, product development, for Dick’s Sporting Goods from 2011 to 2013; and president of Focus Products Group from 2008 to 2011.
Tom McMahon has served as president of JURA since 2020. He first joined this Swiss-owned manufacturer of fully automatic coffee machines as midwest director of sales in 2011 and was named vice president of sales in 2013. Before joining JURA, McMahon, who has more than 31 years of experience in the housewares industry, served as regional sales manager at De’Longhi America from 2008 to 2011. He began his housewares career in 1994 as district manager at Syratech Corporation, handling the Towle, Wallace and International Silver brands. In 2006, Lifetime Brands purchased Syratech, and McMahon was named senior vice president, tabletop.
Sal Gabbay is the CEO and owner of fourth-generation company Gibson Homewares and has spent his 46-year career growing the company into one of the nation’s leading manufacturers of cookware, cutlery, dinnerware, glassware and other products for the table and kitchen. Gibson’s growing portfolio of brands currently includes Martha Stewart, Sur La Table, Calphalon, Babish, Kenmore, Crockpot, Mr. Coffee and Oster, as well as long popular legacy brands like Gibson Home, Gibson Elite, Bloomhouse, Laurie Gates and Soho Lounge. Gabbay, who previously served a three-year IHA Director term from October 1, 2022 to September 30, 2025, was re-elected to another three-year term in 2025.
IHA Executive Committee
IHA’s 2025-2026 Executive Committee was also confirmed at the fall meeting. The full Committee includes officers Otterman, McMahon and Gabbay, as well as:
- Paul Cosaro, CEO, Picnic Time Inc. (IHA Immediate Past Chairman)
- Kim Cole, CEO, Gleener Inc.
- Bill McHenry, president/CEO, Widgeteer Inc.
- Pamela Stafford, president & CEO, Hestan Culinary
IHA Board of Directors
IHA’s Board of Directors provides strategic leadership, governance and guidance for the Association. The Board helps set organizational priorities, oversees key initiatives such as The Inspired Home Show®, and works to advance the success of the home and housewares industry. See the full 2025-2026 IHA Board of Directors here.
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The International Housewares Association (IHA) is the 87-year-old voice of the home and housewares industry, dedicated to bringing buyers and sellers together. IHA hosts the world’s premier exposition of products for the home, The Inspired Home Show, in Chicago every March. Each year, the Show brings together more than 2,000 unique brands and 300,000 products with both global and domestic buyers; U.S.-based attendees alone represent more than 100,000 retail locations and over $64 billion in buying power. The not-for-profit, full-service association also offers member companies a wide range of services including industry and government advocacy; export assistance; trend reports; executive management peer groups; group buying discounts; and an independent news and information platform, HomePageNews.com.
EDITORS NOTE: Photos of the new Officers and Board Members are available for download. A full Board list can be found here.
