David Thompson leaves furniture retailer American Signature
New leadership team in place
Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, May 20, 2009
COLUMBUS, Ohio — David Thompson, longtime president of Top 100 store American Signature, has left the company.
Michael Broidy, vice president of corporate affairs for Schottenstein Stores, which owns American Signature, said the retailer has reorganized its management. He would not comment on the reasons for Thompson's departure, which took place earlier this month.
The new leadership team includes Jonathan Schottenstein, chief operating officer and son of Jay Schottenstein, who is chairman and CEO of both American Signature and Schottenstein Stores; Geoff Beaston, executive vice president, marketing and product development; Ed Cornell, chief financial officer and senior vice president; Steve Rabe, senior vice president/general merchandising manager; Jerry Smith, senior vice president, store operations; and Gary Tittle, senior vice president, operations.
In a release, Jay Schottenstein said Thompson "has provided great leadership and expertise."
"Under David's tenure, our brand has grown to be one of the premier furniture companies in America," Schottenstein said. "He has handled all of his responsibilities with class and integrity and I wish him continued happiness and good health."
He added that the new team "will build on our success and continue our mission of providing unprecedented value to our consumers."
As of early this year, American Signature operated 131 stores under the Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture names. The company is No. 6 on Furniture/Today's Top 100 based on furniture, bedding and accessories sales estimated at $1.06 billion for its fiscal year ended Feb. 1, down 5.9% from the year before.
Thompson, who had been with the company for more than 35 years, starting as a sales associate, shepherded what was then Value City into a new era with the launch of American Signature, a more upscale format, in June 2002.
In 2006, it opened another new format called Roomstoday, which was expected to be more youthful and to bridge a gap between the two formats. But the concept was short-lived and the stores eventually were converted to American Signature and Value City.
Michael Broidy, vice president of corporate affairs for Schottenstein Stores, said the retailer has reorganized its management. He would not comment on the reasons for Thompson’s departure, which took place early this month.
The new leadership team includes Jonathan Schottenstein, chief operating officer and son of Jay Schottenstein, who is chairman and CEO of both American Signature and Schottenstein Stores; Geoff Beaston, executive vice president, marketing and product development; Ed Cornell, chief financial officer and senior vice president; Steve Rabe, senior vice president/general merchandising manager; Jerry Smith, senior vice president, store operations; and Gary Tittle, senior vice president, operations.
In a release Jay Schottenstein said Thompson “has provided great leadership and expertise.â€
“Under David’s tenure, our brand has grown to be one of the premier furniture companies in America,†Schottenstein said. “He has handled all of his responsibilities with class and integrity and I wish him continued happiness and good health.â€
He added the new team “will build on our success and continue our mission of providing unprecedented value to our consumers.â€
As of early this year, American Signature operated 131 stores under the Value City Furniture and American Signature Furniture names. The company is No. 6 on Furniture/Today’s Top 100 based on furniture, bedding and accessories sales estimated at $1.06 billion for its fiscal year ended Feb. 1, down 5.9% from the year before.
Thompson, who had been with the company for more than 35 years, starting as a sales associate, shepherded what was then Value City into a new era with the launch of American Signature, a more upscale format, in June 2002.
In 2006, it opened yet another new format called Roomstoday, which was expected to by more youthful and to bridge a gap between the two formats. But the concept was sho
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Thompson leaves American Signature
May 25, 2009
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