Standard Furniture names Evans, Hodgson to top posts

Thomas Russell -- Furniture Today, December 19, 2011

BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Case goods manufacturer and importer Standard Furniture has named Todd Evans as president and William Hodgson as CEO.

Todd Evans

Mike Peters, who held the role of president and CEO since 2008, will continue to serve in an advisory capacity to the CEO and will continue to be a member of Standard's executive management team.

With 35 years of economic and financial management experience, Peters was previously Standard's chief financial officer and was appointed by the board in 2008 to lead the company through difficult times.

Hodgson was CEO until 2008, and has since served as chairman.

Both Peters and Hodgson have been with the company for more than 30 years.

"Over the past four years, Peters and the management team successfully navigated Standard through the latest recession, and the company has emerged much leaner, with a great focus on product, style and value," the company said in a statement.

Evans has been with the company since 1998 and most recently served as executive vice president. Over the years he has led sales, customer service and product development initiatives.

"Evans' extensive background in sales management, customer service and product development made him the clear choice for leading Standard Furniture into the future of an industry that has changed dramatically over the years," the company added.

In his new role, Evans also will oversee International Furniture Co., Standard's design and product development arm for product imported primarily from China and Vietnam. It has operations based in China, Vietnam and California.

In recent years, Hodgson has been involved in the sales side of the business, visiting customers throughout the country to learn how their business needs have changed. He will continue in that capacity, the company said.

"This grass roots understanding of customer needs has helped Standard reshape its identity to run successfully in today's economy climate and moving forward," said Sean Ros, director of marketing.