Mike Padjen to direct N.C. Furniture Export Office

Fills post formerly held by Tom Crump

Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, May 12, 2010

HIGH POINT — Mike Padjen, a former vice president of operations at La-Z-Boy Global, has been named director of the North Carolina Furniture Export Office.

He fills a position formerly held by Tom Crump, a 31-year Broyhill employee and executive who had been with the export office since early 2006. Crump left the position in December for a job in international business development at Bassett Furniture Inds.

Padjen most recently was senior vice president of operations at hospitality furniture producer American of Martinsville, where he had worked since August 2007. Earlier, he was with Wellborn Forest Products and La-Z-Boy Global, where he was vice president of operations. Previously, he held posts at American Drew, cabinet manufacturer Merillat Inds. and Coffman Stair Co.

Padjen said he was excited about his new role, particularly in helping the furniture industry establish and expand sales in other markets outside the United States.

"The real key is working with all the resources available to the furniture industry to help them export product," he said.

The Furniture Export Office was created in 1993 by former North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt as a part of the state Department of Commerce's International Trade Division. Its mission is to promote export activity among North Carolina area furniture producers and help educate companies on how to export.

It also coordinates the state's involvement in trade shows around the world and helps companies participate in those events.