Staff

Colin Stair, president and founder, spent 15 years with Sotheby's learning furniture inside out. As Managing Director of the Restoration Department, he oversaw the maintenance and repair of some of the finest furniture collections in the world. He was a Vice President of the corporation before starting Stair Galleries & Restoration, Inc. in June 2001. He is the fourth generation of the Stair family to deal in antique furniture.

Beth Mullins worked for Sotheby's Restoration as accounts and personnel manager from 1993 to 2001. She is our accountant/bookkeeper and is responsible for all of our internal financial matters as well as the financial aspects of our many events.

Rebecca Hoffmann began her auction career as a sales assistant at Skinner, Inc. in the '70's and went to work with James Bakker in 1985. They developed a highly successful fine arts auction business in Cambridge, Massachusetts. She has been an independent dealer and auctioneer since 1991 and has conducted many auctions for numerous charities and commercial enterprises including ACT-UP, the Monserrat College of Art and the American Art Pottery Association.

Rupert Fennell spent 29 years with Sotheby's including 12 years in Los Angeles as head of the West Coast division of Sotheby's Appraisal Company. He was Vice President and Senior Decorative Arts Appraiser when he retired in 1998. He continues as an independent appraiser and lecturer on a broad range of decorative arts topics. He conducts a number of charity auctions each year including the Benefit Art Auction hosted by Friends of Olana. He also appears on HGTV/s The Appraisal Fair.