Deborah accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997 at Gala hosted by Stitches Magazine.	Deborah with founding editor of Stitches magazine, Melissa J. Thompson Maher.

• Was the third recipient of the Floriani Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellence in Embroidery Education
• Founded the Club Ed newsletter and Club Ed embroidery retreats
• Keynote speaker at embroidery events. Speaks regularly at Imprinted Sportswear Shows on technique and business topics
• Author of Machine Embroidery on Difficult Materials, and Dimensional Machine Embroidery, Krause Publications
• Has served as a private consultant for embroidery operations for J.C. Penney and the largest contract house in the United States, among dozens of other clients
• Is a former editor for Stitches magazine
• Taught embroidery-related seminars at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, Colorado State University and Iowa State University Extension, Dept. of Textiles and Clothing
• Writes Ask The Expert column for Designs in Machine Embroidery, Technically Speaking  column for Stitches magazine and feature articles for Impressions magazines
• Has been certified as an expert witness in federal court for matters concerning embroidery

Deborah has served as Vice President of Education and Vice President of Sales and Marketing for multi-million dollar companies in the embroidery industry. Deborah owned a successful embroidery company, Embroidery Direct, in Richardson, Texas. She now lives in a rural setting outside Dallas where she enjoys embroidering, writing, producing videos and consulting with embroidery entrepreneurs. In her spare time, she enjoys her Silky Terriers, Anatolian Shepherds and large aquariums.