Mike Billiet promoted to franchisee director at Art Van

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, November 26, 2012

WARREN, Mich. — Art Van Furniture here is beefing up its franchising business with the move of Mike Billiet, a regional sales director, to director of franchisee operations.

Mike Billiet

In the newly created position for Top 100 company's franchise development team, Billiet will work with David Braun, director of franchise sales and operations. He will be responsible for assisting new Art Van and PureSleep franchisees in getting "their stores up and running as member of the Art Van family of stores," the retailer said in an announcement.

"Mike's role will be to ensure that every step of the new store opening process is easy and delightful" for both franchisees and their customers, the company said.

Barry Davidson, Art Van's vice president and general manager-Chicago, temporarily will assume Billiet's previous responsibilities until a replacement is named.

Billiet has more than 30 years of experience with Art Van. He started in sales in 1980 and has held various other posts along the way, including all store leadership roles and most recently sales director for Art Van's western and northern stores.

He also has been responsible for store openings, including stores on the west side of the state and most recently the conversion of the former Brewbaker stores in Petoskey and Onaway, Mich., to Art Van.

"Mike's assignment to this position underscores the importance of the franchise expansion effort to the future of Art Van Furniture," Art Van CEO Kim Yost said. He called Billiet "the perfect individual to help these newest members of the Art Van family operate successful businesses."