Hickory Springs Mfg. promotes Ellis, Lunsford and Welch

Larry Thomas -- Furniture Today, June 2, 2011

Steve Ellis

Lee Lunsford

Dwayne Welch

HICKORY, N.C. — Furniture and bedding components supplier Hickory Springs Mfg. has promoted three of its top executives - Stephen Ellis, Lee Lunsford and Dwayne Welch - and given them added responsibilities within the company.

Welch, an 18-year Hickory Springs veteran who has been executive vice president of sales and marketing since 2009, is now executive vice president and chief sales and marketing officer. He will oversee sales and marketing worldwide and all national product managers will report to him.

Ellis, who has been with the company since 2006, is taking on new responsibilities as executive vice president and chief financial officer. He now oversees the finance, accounting, treasury and information technology functions, and also manages acquisitions and joint ventures.

Lunsford will have additional duties as executive vice president and chief operations officer, including operations, customer service and maintaining communication with the executive management team. He joined the company in 2003 after a stint as president of the Guilford Mills apparel division. He also worked for Dyersburg Corp. and Dan River Mills.

All three will report to Hickory Springs President Don Coleman.

"Each of these executives has demonstrated tremendous experience and leadership skills valuable to the ongoing success of Hickory Springs," Coleman said. "This team will focus on further alignment with key management personnel to develop a strong internal organization to plan for new growth and diversification opportunities."