Welcome To...
The Future Workplace
The most enjoyable part of our job is to listen. We listen to clients discuss the challenges they face in their workspace. We listen about the rapid change in technology, the shifts in aesthetic preferences, the generational changes, work-style preferences, the list goes on. But we’ve found that there are some things that remain the same. We are by nature territorial, we love the idea of free address and collaboration, but we still have an inert need to stake out our own little space at the office.
Meet Jen Sparks
Owner
Jen Sparks is an Owner of Inspire Contract Group. She has over twenty years of experience as a manufacturer’s representative in the contract furniture industry.
Prior to founding Inspire Contract Group, Jen worked as Global Account Manager, supporting and managing the relationships and global strategy for fifteen Fortune 500 accounts headquartered in the Bay Area. She worked closely with end users, dealers, design firms and project management firms to specify product and develop corporate standards.
In previous roles she managed manufacturer’s rep groups across a thirteen state territory in the Western United States and Pacific Rim. She has represented various lines of contract furniture across multiple vertical markets including healthcare, GSA, education, hospitality, and commercial office with extensive experience in tech, biotech and finance.
Jen is a member of IIDA and CoreNet. She excels in building relationships with specifiers, influencers and decision makers across all distribution channels. Her style is consultative and solution oriented. In her spare time Jen can be found traveling the world (she’s up to forty three countries so far) hiking and spending time on the water, preferably on a boat or at the beach.
Meet Rick Loucks
Principal
Rick Loucks is a Principal at Inspire Contract, with over 20 years of experience in the commercial furniture industry. With the majority of that time spent in the Bay Area.
Before joining Jen at Inspire Contract Group, Rick managed a large team of sales leaders, and sales professionals covering the West Coast and Rocky Mountains.
Working closely with his team allowed him to have a strong understanding of what it takes to truly support Dealer Partners and Clients. Using a consultive and collaborative approach to gain a real understanding of what is needed for a successful project no matter the size.
Rick also enjoys traveling, although hasn’t been to as many counties as Jen. But he is hoping to catch her!
Originally from Canada, his Canadian accent has been known to be called out on a meeting or two.
Meet Julie Running
Julie is a native of Phoenix, Arizona and never left. After owning a flower shop for a few years, she sold it and focused on family. When work called again, it was the commercial furniture industry. She answered the call not realizing she would never be able to leave it.
With over 30 years in the industry working for dealers and manufacturers she has found her niche helping independent rep groups with all things admin. For fun, she's a complete plant freak, crazy cat lady and has the sweetest charcoal lab you'll ever meet. She enjoys monsoons, hanging with friends, tipping chairs over in public to see who made them, and baking, especially bread, lately.
Meet Valery Aurtha Simmons
Valery Aurtha Simmons is an accomplished Project Manager with extensive experience managing complex accounts, driving operational excellence, and delivering exceptional customer experiences for many Fortune 500 organizations. Throughout a distinguished 15-year career in the Ergonomic Furniture industry, Val has partnered with global clients including NVIDIA, Hilton Hotels, Cisco and Applied Materials, leading cross-functional initiatives that span project management, account operations, customer engagement, and strategic business support.
Known for a collaborative leadership style and strong attention to detail, Val specializes in coordinating large-scale projects, streamlining processes, and ensuring seamless execution across diverse stakeholder groups. Her expertise includes global account management, customer relationship development, supply chain coordination, financial tracking, and sustainability-focused initiatives.
Val has also contributed to innovative sustainability efforts, including facilitating furniture reclamation and circular economy programs that support environmental responsibility while creating value for both customers and organizations. Her commitment to continuous improvement and professional growth is reflected in her pursuit of the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) certification, further strengthening her foundation in project leadership and strategic execution.
Driven by a passion for service, collaboration, and problem-solving, Val is dedicated to creating meaningful outcomes for clients, colleagues, and the organizations she serves.
Who We Are
We provide a level of service, knowledge, and salesmanship to our clients and manufacturers that sets the standard in the marketplace. The service/sales focus of Inspire Contract Group is equally shared between the designer, dealer and end user markets. We exhaust all efforts to assure that the manufacturers we represent are properly distributed, promoted, and championed.
Is Your Office Located In Northern California or Nevada?
Inspire Contract Group strives to help clients take back personalization of their work environment! We will continue to work with innovate furniture brands that create products that address the needs of our clients located in Northern California and Nevada.