Hooker Furniture names Bruce Cohenour case goods president

Position is new one for company

Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, June 10, 2010

Bruce Cohenour

MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Manufacturer and importer Hooker Furniture has promoted Bruce Cohenour to president of the company's case goods division, a new position.

Oversight of the case goods division was previously handled by Paul Toms Jr., the company's chairman and CEO.

Cohenour began as a sales rep for Hooker in 1995, covering northern Texas and Oklahoma. Before that, he was a regional sales manager for La-Z-Boy.

He joined Hooker's management team in 2007 as senior vice president of national accounts and business development. For the past year he has been executive vice president of marketing, heading the company's case goods merchandising and marketing efforts.

In his new role, he reports to Toms and is responsible for sales, merchandising, and operations for case goods.

"We believe Bruce is uniquely qualified to lead the wood furniture division," Toms said in a statement. "He completely understands the product, pricing and services we need to offer to be a preferred supplier to our customers. Bruce personifies the values of our company. Our employees, reps, customers and suppliers all have great respect for him and are motivated by his enthusiasm, optimism and the lofty goals he sets."

Cohenour said he was humbled by the promotion and looks forward to the opportunities for the company.

"In addition to having what I consider to be the best team of people in the furniture business, our financial strength and marketing strategy put us in an enviable position to take this company to the next level," he said.

Alan Cole remains president of the company's upholstery division, which includes the Bradington-Young and Sam Moore brands.