Ethan Allen honors managers, dealers
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, December 3, 2001
DANBURY, Conn. — Ethan Allen honored sales managers and retailers at its retail convention here. Five sales managers were given 2001 Leadership Excellence awards, the company's highest honor for sales managers.
"Through training, staff motivation and decision-making, sales managers are responsible for bringing Ethan Allen's vision to their teams and to consumers around the world," said Farooq Kathwari, chairman and chief executive officer of Ethan Allen. "These sales managers have done an exceptional job in each of these areas."
The top winner was April Samuelsen of Huntington Station, N.Y., who received the Leadership Excellence award. Susan Vena of Wayne, N.J., received the Team Achievement award. Lynne Schowalter of Cary, N.C., took home the Training Achievement award. Mary McClure of Mill Valley, Calif., was recognized for Store Performance Improvement, and Rookie of the Year went to Michell Sohns of Sterling Heights, Mich.
Retailers Royce and Kitte Baker received Ethan Allen's second-ever Lifetime Achievement award.
"For almost five decades, Royce and Kitte have represented the high standards, community service and ideals valued by our company," said Kathwari. "The Bakers have left a legacy of professionalism; the customers of their stores in Southern California and Colorado will continue to benefit from it."
The Bakers opened their first store in Denver in 1953 and will be retiring at the end of the year. Royce Baker is an honorary member of the Ethan Allen board of directors.
Jerry Mosteller, who had been Ethan Allen's Eastern regional plant manager until his death this past July, was awarded the 2001 Golden Kite, the company's most prestigious award. Mosteller's wife, Kay, and son, Grant, accepted the award. Mosteller worked for Ethan Allen for more than 30 years.
| Grant Mosteller, left, and Kay Mosteller, who accepted the Golden Kite award on behalf of Jerry Mosteller; and Farooq Kathwari. |
| ABOVE: Royce Baker, left, and Kitte Baker, winners of the Lifetime Achievement award; and Farooq Kathwari, Ethan Allen. |
