People Today
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, July 2, 2007
Executives
Willem Smith
Washington — High-end case goods and seating resource Willem Smith has named John "J.B." Behrens director of operations.
He previously headed JBMN Engineered Products, and before that was a regulatory and corporate paralegal for Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam and Roberts.
Behrens will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of the company, including its warehouses around the world.
"We hired J.B. to help us strike a balance between fueling our growth and maintaining our rigorous standard of quality," said Willem Smith founder John Smith. "With his combination of business and product development experience, we will rely on him as we roll out new products, such as our Buenos Aires plasma TV cabinet, while we continually improve upon our best sellers, such as our Eclipse credenza."
Marketing/Sales
Berne Furniture
Berne, Ill. — Tony Davidson has been promoted to sales manager for upholstery manufacturer Berne Furniture, replacing Andrea Hoffman, who left the company.
Davidson, who was previously inventory manager, has been with the third-generation family-owned company since 1996, starting as a warehouse worker. He reports to President Lucy Yager.
Claridge Textiles
Chula Vista, Calif. — Bob Faust has joined decorative fabrics and trimmings supplier Claridge Textiles as sales manager, a new position.
He most recently was with American Trim Mfg., and earlier was with Conso.
Faust is based at Claridge's Salisbury, N.C., distribution center and reports to Jack Nunnally, vice president, sales and operations.
Edinburgh Weavers
Lancashire, England — Gemma Birch has joined print fabric specialist Edinburgh Weavers as export sales manager, a new post.
Birch reports to owner Ursula Greenwood, managing director.
McNeill Communications
High Point — Public relations and marketing agency McNeill Communications Group has promoted Cheryl D. Nocera from manager to director of creative services.
She will provide creative direction for branding, graphic design and marketing collaterals, including brochures, advertising and Web sites, and will schedule and buy media. She also will oversee event planning.
Before she joined McNeill, Nocera was the owner of Creative Creations, a marketing and graphic design agency.
Safavieh
Port Washington, N.Y. — Charles Johnson has been named Southeast territory manager for rug resource Safavieh, responsible for sales in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and Tennessee.
He previously was Southeast manager for Feizy Rugs for five years, and also has been a rep for Dynamic Rugs and CCC, and was general manager of Chatsworth Steel, a rug display company.
At Safavieh, Johnson reports to John Thompson, national sales manager.
