Bitzas receives an award for his sales achievements

By Michelle Symington

MetroWest Reminder Assistant Editor

AGAWAM For George Bitzas, his job as an interior designer for Stickley Audi & Co. is not work.

"When you have a job you love, you don't have to work," he said. "I feel like I enjoy what I do and I enjoy seeing the reaction [on customers' faces]. That's my satisfaction seeing the pleasure and how happy they are."

His love for the job has made him a successful interior designer and salesman for the company.

Last month, Bitzas received an award for high achievement in sales from the company. He was the only salesperson in Massachusetts or Connecticut to receive the award.

Bitzas said that the award is given to employees each year who produce a lot for the company.

Robert Boyle, director of retail operations for New England for Stickley, Audi & Co., explained that the award Bitzas received is an annual award that is given out to "only the best designers" within the company.

He said Bitzas exceeded his sales goals and is one of the highest salespeople in the company in terms of sales.

"He is terrific, very personable and has a good sense of design and color," Boyle said. "He cares a lot about his customers and wants to make them happy."

Boyle explained that Stickley Audi & Co. sells solid wood furniture and is committed to high quality standards.

He added that the company, which is over 100 years old, is well known for its Mission style furniture. It also features 18th Century Metropolitan style furniture and offers a "fine selection of upholstery and leather as well as a large selection of oriental rugs, an area that he said the company has been making strides in.

Boyle explained a customer may come in to one of the stores and work with a salesman, such as Bitzas. If the customer feels it is needed, the salesman/designer will visit their home to sketch out the room to help the customer select the fabrics and merchandise.

"It is all part of the high level of service we provide," he said.

Bitzas has been working for Stickley Audi & Co, for seven years. Prior to that he worked for Hayden Wayside in Enfield, which was purchased by Stickley Audi & Co.

Bitzas currently works in the company's Newington, Conn. store, which includes 55,000 square feet of furniture displays.

About 20 years ago, Bitzas taught art at West Springfield High School.

Bitzas said he enjoys helping people design the rooms in their homes and uses his experience as an art teacher in his work.

"I see a home like a canvas," he said. "I try to balance the composition of the furniture with the colors without over or under doing it."

He added that sometimes in design, "less is more."

He added that he sees it as a challenge to make the inside of a home as beautiful as the outside.

"I try to balance the outside to the interior," he said. "I enjoy doing that."

He added that he treats every customer the same.

"People that's why I love my job," he said. "I don't see myself as a salesperson."

Bitzas also said that he makes sure his customers are involved in the design process.

"I present ideas and they have to choose," he said, adding that everyone has different taste.

He added that the end design is not just all his ideas and style. He tries to make sure the room will fit the style of the customer.

He said that the customer has to feel comfortable in their rooms and said that he wants the customer to be able to enjoy the furniture for generations.

Bitzas is also very involved in the Agawam community and has used his design skills and creativity to help the city.

Bitzas has been a member of the City Council for 18 years, is the vice chair of the Beautification Committee and is the vice chair of Senior Center Expansion Advisory Committee.

"I enjoy serving people," he said. "People put their trust in you and you don't want to let them down in business and public service."

Locally, Bitzas has designed a room for the opening of the Norcross House in East Longmeadow, designed a room in a home on Millbury Street in Springfield and designed a room in a historic house in Suffield, Conn.

He has also used his design skills to create the Sept. 11 monument in front the fire station on Main Street, the sign welcoming drivers into Agawam at the rotary on Route 57, the sign on the city's Veterans Green and the McGrath Park in Feeding Hills.

Bitzas accepted his award last month during a banquet in Syracuse, NY.