Team
Jahanshah Josh Nazmiyal
Founder & President
Cyrus Nazmiyal
Vice President
Sina Nazmiyal
Vice President & General Counsel
Violet Gene Sciandra
Editor
Andres Mercado
Digital Imaging
Emily Curtis
Account Manager
Brittany Nazmiyal
Account Manager
Lloyd Rickman
Logistics Manager
Peter Pop
Human Resources/ Talent Acquisition
Lenny Schatz
Director of Sales and Operations
Sara Fiedler
Sample Coordinator & Wholesale Assistant
Jahanshah Josh Nazmiyal
Founder & President
Email: josh@rugandkilim.com
Growing up in Tehran and coming to the United States in 1978 as a student at Washington D.C.’s American University, Jahanshah Josh Nazmiyal soon after opened his first atelier showroom in Short Hills, NJ, enjoying one of the most widely regarded collections of Oriental rugs with a passion for their history of inspiring European and 18th-Century counterparts. After opening his first trade-only showroom in New York City — following a prosperous career in wholesale antique carpets — 2020 marks Josh’s 40th anniversary with Rug & Kilim and the long-anticipated opening of his new showroom in Queens, home to a treasury of antique, vintage, mid-century-modern, Scandinavian, Moroccan, European, and custom rug collections complemented by the largest international archive of diverse Kilim.
Cyrus Nazmiyal
Vice President
Email: cyrus@rugandkilim.com
Operating out of Rug & Kilim’s New York showroom, Vice President Cyrus Nazmiyal oversees sales and operations while continuing to expand the award-winning team with phenomenal success. An honors cum laude graduate from the School of Hospitality Administration at Boston University and an alumnus of Brant Lake Camp, Cyrus embodies the standard for a service-oriented approach in his business philosophy, proven by the essential, admirable relationships he’s cultivated with his clients. A honed student of his craft with a passion for private label opportunities, Cyrus is driven to provide a family experience to our partners, valuing relationships above everything.
Sina Nazmiyal
Vice President & General Counsel
Email: sina@rugandkilim.com
With just over two years of experience in the industry, Sina is committed to embracing every opportunity to impact the business and continue the familial trade. Outside of work, he enjoys cooking, playing golf, and exploring diverse cultures abroad.
Violet Gene Sciandra
Editor
Email: vi@rugandkilim.com
A proud native of Buffalo, New York, Violet Gene Sciandra originally joined Rug & Kilim as Copywriter and quickly rose to the role of Editor, supported by a diverse background in multimedia writing, a studious passion for our field and a natural affinity for leadership. An honors cum laude bachelor of Journalism and Creative Writing from SUNY Purchase, Sciandra’s experience as an award-winning reporter, published author, and multidisciplinary editor in news, publishing and education were linked by a common love of art and creation that led to joining our team. Now working with Josh Nazmiyal to put a voice to the beauty of our collection and explore editorial opportunities, Sciandra believes in the immutable value of research, communication and education in sharing the beauty and history of every piece with our discerning clientele; essential tools to tell its story.
Andres Mercado
Digital Imaging
Email: digitalimaging@rugandkilim.com
A son of Ecuador continuing his exciting career in New York, Andres Mercado joins Rug & Kilim as our lead photographer heading up our Digital Imaging Department. As a proud Bachelor of Graphic Design from UTI, Andres ensures the best qualities of our full collection reach our audience, communicating all the energy and love in Josh’s favorite pieces to bring our brand to life with an eye for the new they both share.
Among the most passionate creative voices on our team, Andres’ background as both a prolific creator and teacher of analog and digital photography has been key in recapturing the most essential elements of our craft.
Emily Curtis
Account Manager
Email: emily@rugandkilim.com
Originally from Charlottesville, VA, Emily began her love of culture early on, spending time with her father in his Russian antique shop. She eventually earned a BA in Strategic Management and Art History. While studying abroad in Italy, she discovered a unique love for textiles, which took her on a journey that eventually landed her in Vietnam, where she lived and worked with a hill tribe community creating sustainable textiles and products.
This has led to a life devoted to the handmade, supporting rich cultural practices that can only be kept alive by supporting craftsmanship. She takes great joy in working across different mediums and aesthetics, with an approach united by the same principles: to take parts from different aspects of culture and bring them together in harmony.
Brittany Nazmiyal
Account Manager
Email: brittany@rugandkilim.com
As a published author and law school graduate, Brittany Nazmiyal brings a knowledgeable balance when it comes to providing exceptional service to her clients. After years of being peripherally involved, Brittany committed her career full time to her family business. Her deep knowledge and love of fashion and textile history informs her keen eye and taste. Brittany is proud of her Persian heritage and brings a level of hospitality to her work that honors what it means to be Middle Eastern. Outside of work, she enjoys baking and often brings her latest confections to the showroom in Long Island City.
Hersel Moghadasian
Fulfillment
Email: hersel@rugandkilim.com
One of the oldest friends to the Nazmiyal family, Hersel Moghadasian has quickly become a vital player in keeping Rug & Kilim organized like a well-oiled machine. He’s both a leader of our new, second space, "Volumes by Rug & Kilim," as well as the daily intermediary between Logistics and all other teams, allowing us to serve our clients in the most professional, timely manner.
Lloyd Rickman
Logistics Manager
Email: logistics@rugandkilim.com
Celebrating nearly three years with Rug & Kilim as a senior member under Josh Nazmiyal, Lloyd Rickman has played a vital role as the head of our Logistics Department. A native of Jamaica with more than 28 years of experience in handmade rugs, he has become the right hand of each department, handling inventory control, shipping, white-glove handling, maintenance, spot cleaning, and our full catalog of services requiring his technical and managerial expertise.
Sharing Josh’s experience in exotic materials and inventory management, Lloyd has been pivotal in honing our team’s industry standards for maintaining several collections and ensuring the success of our international trade show presence.
Peter Pop
Human Resources/ Talent Acquisition
Email: peter@rugandkilim.com
Peter began his career in talent acquisition while working at The School of Visual Arts in their Office of Career Placement. He then opened three creative staffing divisions for Vanguard, Lloyd Staffing, and most recently, Russell Tobin. Now on the client side, Peter is currently with Rug & Kilim in LIC. A host of Art Night in his Greenpoint neighborhood, Peter is also a visual artist. Be sure to ask him about the day he met Andy Warhol!
Lenny Schatz
Director of Sales and Operations
Email: lenny@rugandkilim.com
Having lived in several countries around the globe, Lenny brings a deep appreciation and knowledge of diverse cultures, languages, and artistry to Rug & Kilim. After completing his master’s degree in Jazz and Composition in Germany, Lenny came to New York and turned his creative efforts to the design and furnishings industry. With two decades of experience in high-end furnishings and the rug industry, Lenny is a driving force for growth-inducing positive change at our Crescent Long Island City showroom.
Sara Fiedler
Sample Coordinator & Wholesale Assistant
Email: sara@rugandkilim.com
Sara was born into a Polish family in Texas and spent her childhood moving from state to state, fostering a deep appreciation for different cultures. A graduate of Hunter College, she considers herself a collector and curator, filling her home with symbolic trinkets from her travels. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry and playing classical piano, with Chopin as her favorite composer.
