The Specialized Furniture Carriers, a trade group representing more than 30 companies dedicated to the handling and transporting of furniture, elected its 2013 board at a directors meeting.

Serving as president of the Board of Directors in 2013 will be Patrick Cory of Cory First Choice Home Delivery, Secaucus, N.J. First vice president is Joe Wade, Shelba D. Johnson Trucking Inc., Thomasville, N.C.; and second vice president is Aimee Boozer, Sun Delivery, Thomasville, N.C.

New to the Board of Directors with terms expiring in 2014 are Ryan Menke, Styline Logistics, Huntingburg, Ind.; and Mark Fierek, Manna Freight Systems, Mendota Heights, Minn. New directors with terms expiring in 2015 are Jeff Murrow, Murrow's Transfer Inc., Thomasville, N.C.; and Ed Long, Sunbelt Furniture Xpress, Hickory, N.C.

Carl Abernathy, Northwest Furniture Xpress, Morganton, N.C., will continue on the board with a term expiring at the end of 2013.

Members of the Specialized Furniture Carriers are companies with at least 50 percent of their outbound shipments devoted to furniture. They are distinguished from general commodities carriers by their furniture-specific equipment and skills. Long-term relationships with specific furniture manufacturers are common.

The Specialized Furniture Carriers group is a division of the American Home Furnishings Alliance's Suppliers Division. Members have access to several transportation-specific AHFA benefits, including a fuel card program offering significantly reduced fuel costs at over 9,000 truck stops nationwide and a fleet maintenance program providing 10 percent off service fees for roadside assistance and 8 percent off monthly fees for fleet maintenance.

Members of the Specialized Furniture Carriers also participate in AHFA's Annual Supply Chain Conference and have other networking and educational opportunities throughout the year.