FMG elects new officers at High Point Market

Ohio's Larry Klaben named president of buying group

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, April 19, 2010

Larry Klaben

HIGH POINT — The Furniture Marketing Group elected new officers and board members and board of directors here at the buying group's biannual membership meeting here.

They take their posts May 1.

The officers are Larry Klaben, Morris Furniture, Fairborn, Ohio, president; Oscar Miskelly, Miskelly Furniture, Jackson, Miss., vice president; David Gunn, Knight Furniture, Sherman, Texas, treasurer: and Tom Olinde, Olinde's Furniture, Baton Rouge, La., chairman.

New directors are Billy Rippner, Compass Furniture, Elmwood, La.; Vinnie Fonti; Furniture & Appliance Mart, Stevens Point, Wis.; and David Koehler, Johnny Janosik, Laurel, Del. Also on the board is Gary Steinhafel, Steinhafel's, Waukesha, Wis.

During the meeting Saturday, FMG reported that it had "smashed all previous records in returning volume rebate money to the membership for purchases made in 2009," according to a release, but decline to disclose the amount of the rebates.

Also during the meeting, attended by more than 130 FMG members, outgoing President Tom Olinde was given thanks and recognition for his service.

FMG's consumer finance provider, Wells Fargo Finance, presented annual awards for participation and sales finance volume to Crest Furniture, Dayton, N.J.; Bob Mills Furniture, Oklahoma City; Conlin's Furniture, Billings, Mont.; Marlo Furniture, Forestville, Md., and Olinde's Furniture, Baton Rouge, La.

The FMG networking and buying group has 88 members in North America.