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Mehlman retiring as chairman at Odyssey

By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, April 20, 2008

Denver — Michael Mehlman is retiring as chairman of importer Odyssey International after more than three decades in the industry and a 10-year detour into the steel business.

Mehlman began his furniture career in 1965 with Berkline, then went on to found upholstery producer The Bean Station Furniture Factory with partners Ben Jarnagin and George Haggard.

In 1994, he left to become general manager of a steelmaker in Grand Rapids, Mich. He retired in 2004, but returned to the furniture business the next year to form Denver-based Odyssey International with his sons, Cole and Andrew. Cole is president of Odyssey, and Andrew is senior vice president.

The company is a direct partner of a manufacturer with a 2 million-square-foot factory near Shanghai, China, that produces casual dining, entertainment, accent chairs, home office, occasional tables and components. To help ensure the success of Odyssey, Michael Mehlman moved to Shanghai for the first year of operation.

"Odyssey certainly would not be in the position we are in today if it weren't for the dedication and guidance of our father," said Cole Mehlman. "While we wish him the best in retirement, he will be greatly missed."

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