Patricia Flavin, senior vp marketing for Beaulieu of America, has been named vice chairman of the Carpet and Rug Institute's Marketing Issues committee. She is the first woman in the organization's more than 30-year history to hold a chairmanship.

In 2007, Flavin was part of the team that introduced the highly successful Bliss brand for Beaulieu. Flavin is "a strong proponent of marketing to women-– the group that controls over 85% of all purchase decisions for the home –- and is the basis for the Bliss brand," according to Beaulieu.

Flavin was born in Dublin, Ireland and holds a degree in marketing. Beginning her career in public relations, she went on to become a successful entrepreneur in health, beauty and jewelry with her own product lines she promoted on home shopping channels.