Whaling to join Art Van as CEO
By Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, September 29, 2008
WARREN, Mich. — Art Van Furniture has hired Circuit City executive Marshall Whaling as CEO, replacing founder Art Van Elslander, who will remain chairman of the Top 100 retailer.
Whaling, who joins the company Sept. 29, most recently was senior vice president-retail operations at consumer electronics giant Circuit City.
Whaling also spent 20 years with American of Madison, Wis., a 15-store retailer of furniture, appliances and electronics. He was responsible for sales, operations, training and customer service. In addition, he spent nine years at consumer electronics retailer Best Buy, running operations for 700 stores and supporting the opening of 200 stores.
Van Elslander cited Whaling’s “extensive experience in creating sound operational practices that promote and foster customer satisfaction.”
Chris Morrisroe, Art Van’s communications director, said Van Elslander has no plans of stepping back from the company, and said that he and Whaling will work together.
Art Van also recently promoted Dan Baran to vice president of information systems, logistics and operations, and Robert Cudd to vice president of marketing and e-commerce. They report to President Gary Van Elslander.
