Dondero joins Broyhill
Former Universal CEO replaces Burgette
By Powell Slaughter -- Furniture Today, April 10, 2005
St. Louis — Harvey Dondero has been named president and CEO of full-line manufacturer and importer Broyhill Furniture Inds., replacing Dennis Burgette, who has resigned.
Dondero reports to Tom Foy, president and chief operating officer of Broyhill's parent company, Furniture Brands International. Burgette remains on the company payroll pursuant to his employment agreement, but has relinquished day-to-day responsibilities.
Burgette joined Broyhill as president in 1998 from sister FBI company Action Inds., where he had been executive vice president of sales and marketing.
Dondero recently resigned as president and CEO of importer Universal Furniture International, which he had led since 1999. From 1994 to 1999, he was president and CEO of furniture and home accents importer Maitland-Smith, now also a division of Furniture Brands.
"Broyhill has a strong brand name and a reputation for quality and value, due largely to the efforts of its nearly 4,600 dedicated employees," Dondero said. "I look forward to working with these fine people, and with the senior management teams at Furniture Brands and its other operating companies to build upon the achievements of the past and to drive Broyhill to a successful future."
Mickey Holliman, FBI chairman and CEO, said he has known Dondero for years.
"Harvey has vast experience in our industry, he enjoys outstanding relationships with our key suppliers and customers, and he has a strong consumer-focused background," Holliman said.
Dondero said it is two soon to give specifics on strategies for Broyhill.
"It's almost taking me as long to drive here than I've been here," he said last Tuesday. "I can speak to (Broyhill's) strengths — dedicated retail space supported by its gallery program, and its brand identity. This company needs to build on these two things and bring into that mix the right balance of product, including domestic manufacturing."
Dondero said his long experience in importing does not mean Broyhill necessarily is going to an all-sourced line.
"What you will see is a lot more marketing of the brand, and a lot more focus on our dealers with the gallery program," he said, adding that Broyhill's dedicated store program will concentrate on locations where the company needs to shore up distribution.
No related articles for this topic.
Specialty retailer LoveSac introduces new store design
Belfort Furniture, Lawrance Furniture are NHFA Retailers of Year
Kincaid Furniture honors Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter for Habitat work
Singapore furniture show expecting increased turnout
Furniture, mattress sales boost Conn's sales 37.6% in recent quarter
Featured Company
-
FurnitureCore.com
FurnitureCore.com is a dynamic web application aimed at the furniture industry. Retailers and manufacturers alike will find our deep reserve of tools to be exactly what their furniture business needs.www.furniturecore.com... more
VIEW ALL GALLERIES
