Wallner named president of Powell's furniture division

Heath E. Combs -- Furniture Today, November 12, 2012

WallnerCULVER CITY, Calif. - Industry veteran Jeffrey Wallner has been named president of accent furniture, youth and casual dining importer Powell Co.'s furniture division.
     Wallner will be responsible for sales, marketing and merchandising in the newly created role at Powell. He reports to CEO Jim Ziozis.
     "Powell's furniture division is back on a growth track and regaining the luster it lost under previous management teams run by private equity firms," Ziozis said in a press release. "Jeff's talents will drive Powell Furniture to the next level of providing dealers with excellent home fashions at outstanding price points."
     Wallner has more than two decades of industry experience and most recently was executive vice president at furniture and accessories source World Imports for six years. His role there included oversight of the sales force, marketing department, merchandising and overseas teams.
     Wallner also expanded World Imports' product line to include imported upholstery and helped develop its Asian infrastructure, the release said.
     Powell officials currently handling multi-channel, specialty, big-box, and e-commerce retailers will continue to report to Dave Gingrich, executive vice president. Gingrich reports to Ziozis.