FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA.—Judy Dobin, principal and executive vice president of Valley Forge Fabrics, received the highest level of recognition given to manufacturers for hospitality and lodging with the NEWH ICON of the Industry Award 2010. Six years ago, NEWH introduced the ICON of Industry Award to honor those manufacturers who are true leaders in the hospitality industry.
NEWH ICONS have the following qualities: they have made a significant impact on the industry through their innovation, have dedicated themselves and their companies to their communities and the industry through outreach, mentoring and education, and they have a minimum of 30 years in the hospitality industry. By taking home the ICON honor this year, Judy Dobin is the first woman honored by NEWH.
Judy has successfully run Valley Forge Fabrics for more than 35 years. During this time, she has mentored many individuals and has grown Valley Forge to be an industry leader in decorative fabrics for hospitality. In addition, Judy has served on the NEWH Board of Directors, as well as being the founding president of the Greater New York Chapter.
Many Volunteer Activities
She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the SE Region of American Friends of Magen David Adom. Magen David Adom in Israel—the Red Star of David—is Israel’s ambulance service and disaster relief organization which operates according to the principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Judy is a member of the Board of Directors of the B’nai B’rith Cuban Jewish Relief Project, and has led many humanitarian missions to Cuba, bringing needed supplies to both the Jewish community, and the Methodist community.
She is an active supporter of JAFCO, the Jewish Adoption and Foster Care Options in South Florida, an organization that serves abused and neglected children in South Florida. Judy is also a member of the Board of Directors of Common Thread for the Cure, an organization whose purpose is to “unite the furnishings industry” in the battle against breast cancer, and to support people or families within the lodging industry who have breast cancer through Helping Hand grants.
Upon accepting her award, Judy said, “Each of us also needs to define our own aspirations. One must be true to oneself. It never matters what other people find acceptable. I firmly believe that every person needs to set his or her own goals and standards, and then work as hard as possible to achieve them. Never settle, never give up, and always, always aim and reach for the stars.”
For more information on NEWH, visit www.newh.org. Also see www.valleyforge.com.
