Our Associates

		Thomas R. Phelan  President, CEO  Tom was literally raised in the family business from the time he was old enough to work.  Through junior and senior high school he worked afternoons and weekends learning the business from the ground up.  After serving for four years in the Air Force during the Viet Nam conflict Tom returned to the business in 1974.  Assigned to the newly formed "Design Studio" he worked under various designers while attending the interior design curriculum at Kirkwood Community College. In 1976 Tom assumed the responsibility for the wholesale division traveling eastern Iowa and western Illinois providing decorating products to other retail establishments.  Enjoying the travel and helping other retailers develop their product offerings Tom was simultaneously employed by the Valspar corporation for seventeen years.  Valspar is a billion dollar multi national coatings manufacturer headquartered in Minneapolis.  While employed by Valspar Tom received the Duane Sevyrud Sales Excellence Award and was named Salesman of the year in 1985.  Working for Valspar as well as the family business was an experience that serves him well to this day. In early 1990 Tom was responsible for co-developing the commercial aspect of the business that presently serves fortune 500 companies locally as well as nationally.  Tom continues to be actively involved with customer development leaving the day to day operations to the extremely capable management staff. Tom and his wife Kathy have four grown children.  He has been active in the community in numerous volunteer positions including the Boys Scouts of America, Equipping Youth, Aid to Women, and the Cedar Rapids Police Department.
		Paul Phelan Jr.  Executive Vice President & General Manager  Paul entered the family business in 1983 after two years of retail management schooling at Ellsworth and four years job experience in the home furnishings and jewelry industries.  His first responsibility was the retail paint division working with home owners and contractors.  Experiencing numerous successful relationships with contractors Paul was able to expand the products and services offered to our client base.  As the company continued to develop commercial and contract clients Paul was an integral part in the Corporate Departments beginnings. Paul has continued to improve his management skills through volunteering for numerous community organizations.  In 2001 he was president of Daybreak Rotary and earned Rotarian of the year for his Gearing up for Kids initiative.  He has been the recipient of the Betty Barry Volunteer Award, The Rotarians Service Above Self award, and Child Advocate Alternate Services Award, and the Community Services Trustee Award to name a few. Paul and His wife Kathy have three children and Paul is active in his church community as well.
		David Rettig  Manager, Residential Interior Design  A graduate of the University of Iowa, David Rettig brings over 29 years of home furnishings experience to the Phelan's team. An expert on case goods construction he has designed many successful solid wood piece including dining room, bedroom, and occasional furniture pieces. David's extensive experience in the tourism and retail management will ensure that each customer will receive individualized service and attention. David and his wife Mary reside in the Amana Colonies and enjoy living in a home that has been in the Rettig family for over 140 years
		Jill Vanderlinden  Residential Interior Designer  Jill is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa.  She received her B.A. in Interior Design with a minor in business.  Jill interned at Phelan's her senior year and it became evident that she had the skills and the desire to become a valuable team member.  Jill brings an outgoing personality that serves her and her clients well. "When I approach a new project I like to listen carefully.  Through the listening process I automatically begin to form a relationship which opens the lines of communication; a critical aspect to achieving client driven design".
		Mary Akin  Residential Interior Designer  With 33 years in the fashion and interior design profession, Mary is proud to be associated with Phelan’s Interiors. Her background includes over 15 years as an Interior Designer and Store Manager for Ethan Allen. Mary has won numerous awards during her career including Ethan Allen’s “Circle of Excellence”, and Top Customer Service.   “Let me take the challenge out of decorating your home. I am committed to making it a fun experience while creating the ambiance you envision your family and guests enjoying.  Whether it be an entire house or simply one piece I will make sure you receive the best service and great quality products. I look forward to helping you discovery your style.”
		Stacie Reid  Residential Interior Design  Stacie joins the Phelan's team after a lengthy stay at the Great Furniture Mart.  She earned her Interior Design degree at Iowa State University and is very excited to work with Phelan's customers to help them develop the perfect style for their home. "I like to provide design solutions that create each client's unique style, which reflects their taste and personality.  I feel it is important for the space to look beautiful and function well.  It gives me so much pleasure when I interpret my clients' dreams into the home they have always wanted."
		Dianne Brown Ross  Residential Interior Design  After 23 years as an interior designer, Dianne says she is addicted to the world of design and is very excited about teaming up with Phelan’s outstanding design staff. Whether it is obsessing over the perfect sofa color, or searching for a piece of intriguing artwork, or simply setting a dazzling dinner table, she loves it all. Throughout her career she has collected design awards from Parade Homes, as well as from Festival of Trees.   “Good design doesn’t come alive; it is alive. Not only must it serve, it should be limber, it should be fun, and it must be personal. I pride myself in projects where I am merely the guide. I feel the most success when, we are finished with a space, if it looks as though I was never there. My goal is for the personality of my client to resonate.”   Dianne and her husband Scott have two grown children and more photos than you’d ever want to see of their grandchildren. She has enjoyed volunteering in the Brucemore Gardens as a Master Gardner, loves globe trotting, and thoroughly enjoys a “good read”.
		Victoria Torres  Residential Interior Design    With an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Interior Design from Kirkwood Community College, Victoria continues to thrive on the entire design process. Previous to her formal design education, Victoria interned at a local corporate design firm, which proved very helpful. While attending the Interior Design program, she also completed an Internship in custom window treatments.   Victoria began her career as a Kitchen and Bath Designer at Tegeler Design Center . With an array of previous work experiences and a deep passion for design, Victoria is always up for a challenge.   “I love to create warmth within a home that lives well for its residents and functions great for them. The design process must evolve creatively and with an open mind in order to achieve the joy of the client’s vision.  When you are after a new or fresh look for your home, be it one unique piece, a variety of different fabrics, furniture, or accessories, in the end, it is all about the way one responds to their environment. A comfortable, relaxing feeling means a job well done!”
		Chondra Rankin  Corporate Interior Design  Chondra Rankin graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design from Iowa State University in May of 2001. The FIDER accredited program requirements included emphasis on design in many areas and the opportunity for a summer internship at Phelan's Interiors. Following her internship and senior year at Iowa State, Chondra returned to Phelan's as a full-time designer. Since joining the corporate team, she has been involved in a wide range of design projects, including those in the corporate, healthcare, and hospitality arenas. Chondra is an associate member of IIDA. "I feel it is important to create a design balancing aesthetic and function as well as understanding the clients' needs and consistently exceeding their expectations. To implement any design, it is important to be knowledgeable of recent events in the field of Interior Design while utilizing today's most innovative products and technologies."
		Melanie O'Donnell  Corporate Sales  Melanie O'Donnell is a design sales professional that proves to be a valuable resource to her clients.  She brings to Phelan's Contract team 12 years of design industry experience stemming from a B.A. in Business Marketing, from Central College in Pella, Iowa. She is skilled at listening to her clients, and positioning the right services and products that will be the best solution for her client’s needs. She is a trusted consultant that continues to foster long-term relationships that result in repeat business, and excellent referrals. She always put the customer first, and instills confidence in every step of the project making the entire process go smoothly. Melanie has continued to be involved in groups in the community and the interior design industry, including the following:  IFMA – International Facility Management Association – Charter Member/ Program Committee, Cedar Rapids Chamber of Commerce – Leadership for Five Seasons Alumni, The Junior League of Cedar Rapids – Past-President, Erskine Elementary, Johnson School of the Arts, and McKinley Middle School, PTA - Past-President, Theatre Cedar Rapids Board Member, Cedar Rapids Garden Club Member. An outstanding community volunteer, she contributes time and effort in making Cedar Rapids a wonderful place to live.