Cook to head Broyhill
Leaves Magnussen for Furniture Brands division
By Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, March 11, 2007
St. Louis — Furniture Brands International has hired Jeff Cook, CEO of importer Magnussen Home Furnishings, as president of FBI's Broyhill Furniture division.
Cook joined Magnussen in December 1998 as president and added the CEO title in August 2002.
At Broyhill, he succeeds Harvey Dondero, who led Broyhill for 14 months ending in June 2006. Tom Foy, president and chief operating officer of Furniture Brands, has overseen Broyhill on an interim basis since then.
"I am pleased that Jeff has agreed to join our company as a key member of our leadership team," said FBI Chairman Mickey Holliman. "Jeff has a proven track record of success in our industry and I expect Broyhill will benefit greatly from his leadership."
Cook's challenge will be to revitalize one of the industry's most recognized brands. Broyhill has been slow in moving to imports, has had inventory management problems and has been seen as one of the weaker links in FBI's portfolio of companies.
Before joining Magnussen, Cook held senior positions with manufacturers Sumter Cabinet, Lea Inds., Case/Casard, Decotone and Rowe Furniture.
"I am delighted to be joining Broyhill at this critical time in its history. My focus, with the help of many talented people already there, will be to build the Broyhill brand and return it to a position of leadership within our industry," Cook said.
During his time at Magnussen, Cook expanded the executive team, established a headquarters in High Point and grew annual sales fourfold.
"We're sad that Jeff is leaving our team and we are going to miss him," said Richard Magnussen, chairman of Magnussen Home.
"One of the greatest legacies that Jeff is leaving Magnussen Home is our strong management team," Magnussen said. "We have some of the industry's strongest and most creative leaders and together we are well equipped to continue with our strategic plan for aggressive growth."
He said Magnussen will work with a search firm to fill Cook's position.
"The future plans of our company have not changed. We will carefully choose a new leader that understands our culture of trust, honesty and respect, and that can take us to the next level," said Magnussen.
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