Lee promotes Rhodes
By Jeff Linville -- Furniture Today, April 30, 2007
Dallas — Keely Rhodes has been promoted to president of sales for case goods importer Lee Furniture.
He joined Lee in September as manager of the Midwest region and key accounts, and reports to Jessey Lee, senior vice president.
Previously, he was briefly president of importer Masten Furniture. Earlier, he was director of national accounts at J. Miles & Co. and was national sales manager for KCB Enterprises, a Sealy futon licensee.
Rhodes said Lee is strong financially and has a good product line, with annual sales nearly doubling from 2004 to 2006 to $25 million. First-quarter business has the company on track for another $12 million to $15 million increase this year, he said.
He said the five-year-old company's rapid growth led it to create the new president of sales post. Bedroom has been strong from the beginning, and the introduction of pub table sets in April 2006 helped push last year's growth.
At the recent High Point Market, Lee showed at 142 S. Main St. During this summer's Las Vegas Market, the company will again show in an offsite space near Walker's Furniture. During the January show, Lee had limos transporting buyers to the WMC or their hotels.
Rhodes said owner Jim Lee has over 30 years in the industry and owns a half-interest in the Chinese plants that make Lee's goods, giving the company more control of the product.
Among Lee's clients are Finger Furniture, Houston; R.C. Willey, Salt Lake City; and Badcock Home Furniture & More, Mulberry, Fla.
