La-Z-Boy honors top Galleries dealers of 2010

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, June 10, 2011

MONROE, Mich. — The owners of the top-performing La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores for 2010 were recognized during an awards ceremony at the April High Point Market.

La-Z-Boy honored its Retail Partner of the Year and Top New Dealer. The manufacturer and retailer also named the top store for Customer Service Excellence, the Ronald McDonald House Charities Partner of the Year and the top 10 performing stores in North America.

"These top-performing stores are crucial to our distribution and overall success, and we are proud to celebrate their achievements," said Jim Reilly, vice president of residential sales for La-Z-Boy. "Each of these stores helps make La-Z-Boy the leading brand it is today."

Paul and Heather Hogeboom, who own eight Furniture Galleries in Ontario, were named Retail Partner of the Year, recognizing owners who demonstrate commitment to the La-Z-Boy brands, retail network and customers, the company said. The Hogebooms opened their first store in 1999 and their locations are among the top performers for La-Z-Boy.

The Customer Service Excellence award went to Steve Hueftle and his staff at his Las Vegas store, who achieved the highest level of customer satisfaction in all North American stores.

Michael De Nisco II, who owns Furniture Galleries in Latham, Clay and Auburn, N.Y., was named the Top New Dealer. De Nisco, who grew up working in his family's La-Z-Boy store, was honored for his "integrity, team-building spirit and ongoing support" of the La-Z-Boy retail program, the company said.

La-Z-Boy also recognized R. Byron Brown as the Ronald McDonald House Charities Partner of the Year, which goes to a Furniture Galleries owner who has demonstrated consistent commitment to the organization. Brown owns seven stores in South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia.

During the ceremony, La-Z-Boy honored the 10 top performing North American stores based on sales. They are Furniture Galleries stores in:

• Calgary, Alberta, on 11th Street and Northland Avenue, owned by Cam Davidson.

• Glendale, Chandler, Mesa and Scottsdale, Ariz., owned by Ed Breunig III.

• Edmonton, Alberta, on 101st Street and 109th Avenue, owned by Mohammed Moussa.

• Fort Collins, Colo., owned by Jason Johnston.

• Winnipeg, Manitoba, owned by Dave and Gale Sykora and Cam Davidson.