Powell Co. names Benton CEO
By Jeff Linville -- Furniture Today, March 21, 2004
CULVER CITY, Calif. — CULVER CITY, Calif. — Bill Benton, president of major importer Powell Company, has been given the additional title of chief executive officer.
Rick Powell, interim CEO since November 2002, becomes chairman, replacing Irwin Lowenstein, who remains on the board of directors.
Benton has three decades of furniture experience, including senior management posts with retailers Levitz and Roberds. He was president of importer APW before joining Powell in March 2003.
Rick Powell ran the company for many years before stepping down as president and CEO in fall 2000. He remained on the board, which promoted Andrew Cohen to president. In July 2001, Jerry Ruff was named CEO. Three months later, Cohen left and Ruff became president and CEO. Ruff left in October 2002.
When he became interim CEO, Powell said his job was "to get the company back on track … and help find a leader who can take it to the next level." Powell said Benton "has proven to be a very effective leader."
Over the past few months, Benton has taken a stronger role in day-to-day operations.
Powell said, "I expect to focus most of my efforts on further developing the company's long-term strategies … which will allow Bill to spend more time with our customers."
Benton said sales currently are good in several channels, including furniture stores, catalogs and the Internet, after a strong October High Point market.
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