Next generation to lead Bernhardt Furniture

Alex Bernhardt Jr., Rountree Collett Jr. among those promoted

Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, May 28, 2009

LENOIR, N.C. — Bernhardt Furniture has named Alex Bernhardt Jr. president of a newly created Bernhardt

Alex Bernhardt Jr.

Residential division and Rountree Collett Jr. president of another new entity, Bernhardt Ventures.

Lewis Norman, who had been president of Bernhardt, is now a vice chairman of the high-end manufacturer. He will serve on a chairman's committee along with Chairman and CEO Alex Bernhardt Sr. and Anne Bernhardt, Alex Sr.'s wife, who had been president of the Bernhardt Design division and now also has been named a vice chairman.

Alex Bernhardt Jr. and Rountree Collett Jr. are part of the fourth generation of their family to lead the company. Alex Sr.'s grandfather, John Bernhardt, founded the business in 1889. Rountree Collett is Alex Sr.'s nephew.

Collett and the younger Bernhardt previously were executive vice presidents in charge of case goods and upholstery, respectively.

The new Bernhardt Ventures will oversee the Bernhardt Design and Bernhardt Hospitality divisions. In addition to heading Bernhardt Ventures, Collett also will oversee administrative functions including

Rountree Collett Jr.

finance, human resources, corporate and family real estate and other investments. He also will be corporate secretary.

"Lewis, Anne and I have collectively over 100 years of service here, and while we plan to stay involved with the business, we believe now is the proper time to step back a bit and to recognize the achievements and talents of these fine younger executives, doing all we can to support and help them to continue their successes," Alex Bernhardt Sr. said in a statement.

In a related move, the company has named Alex Bernhardt Sr.'s other nephew, William Collett, formerly vice president of Martha Stewart Furniture by Bernhardt, as executive vice president and general manager of Bernhardt case goods.

Frank Cooper, formerly vice president of upholstery sales, has been named as executive vice president of Bernhardt upholstery.

William Collett and Cooper report to Alex Bernhardt Jr. As part of his responsibilities, William Collett will continue to oversee the Martha Stewart program.

The company also has named Jerry Helling as president of Bernhardt Design. He was previously creative director of that division. Reporting to Rountree Collett, he will oversee product development, sales, marketing, manufacturing and sourcing for contract products.

Also reporting to Rountree Collett is national accounts manager Steve Mulherin, who is now heading up the hospitality division.