Northfield, Vt., resident Kate Beal is putting her architectural background to work as our new vice president of sales.

A native of Connecticut, Kate came to Vermont to attend Norwich University in Northfield, where she was a member of the Corps of Cadets, spending two years in the Army ROTC and a year in the Air Force ROTC. At Norwich, she earned a bachelor's degree in architectural studies and later a master of architecture degree.

She worked at Wiemann Lamphere Architects in Colchester, Vt., and then Maclay Architects in Waitsfield, Vt., before joining Creative Office Pavilion in Burlington, Vt., as a designer beginning in 2010.

A chance meeting in a Chicago airport connected Kate with WallGoldfinger owner John Wall, also of Northfield. They had both attended the NeoCon conference and struck up a conversation while waiting for an alternative to a cancelled flight home. That conversation morphed into an interview and soon a job offer.

Kate joined WallGoldfinger last month and is looking forward to matching customers' needs with WallGoldfinger's product lines and custom solutions.

"I'm excited to be part of such a reputable company with both Northfield roots and national renown," she said.

John noted that Kate's design experience will aid clients in choosing the right furniture for their needs. And, he said, "Kate speaks architects' language and will be an excellent ambassador for our products."

Kate, 30, is married and has a 2-year-old daughter. In her free time, she serves on her local Planning Commission and is a hockey fan.