ST. LOUIS, Aug. 29, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Ralph P. Scozzafava, Vice-Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Designate of Furniture Brands International, Inc. (NYSE:FBN), today announced the appointment of William G. (Skipper) Holliman as President of Lane Furniture Industries, Inc.
Mr. Holliman has served Lane in various positions of increasing responsibility, including roles in production planning and quality control, as a plant manager, as Vice-President of Sales and Marketing, and most recently as Executive Vice-President, Supply Chain. In his new role as President, Mr. Holliman will report directly to Mr. Scozzafava.
Mr. Scozzafava commented, "I am pleased that Skipper has agreed to take on these additional responsibilities. He has vast experience in our industry, he is well-respected throughout the Company, and he enjoys outstanding relationships with our key suppliers and customers. We look forward to the many contributions we know he will continue to bring to Furniture Brands."
Mr. Scozzafava also announced today that he has accepted the resignation of Jeff Young as President and Chief Executive Officer of HDM Furniture Industries. Mr. Scozzafava commented that the separation was by mutual agreement. "We appreciate Jeff's efforts on behalf of the HDM companies since he joined us in April 2002, and we all wish him well."
John T. (Tom) Foy, President and Chief Operating Officer of Furniture Brands will oversee the day-to-day operations at the HDM companies on an interim basis. Mr. Scozzafava continued: "Tom has served in a number of management capacities at Lane, Broyhill, and Furniture Brands in recent years. I know HDM will benefit from his experience and oversight." The company will begin a search for a permanent replacement at HDM, and will evaluate internal and external candidates.
About Furniture Brands
Furniture Brands International is one of America's largest residential furniture companies. The company produces, sources and markets its products under six of the best-known brand names in the industry -- Broyhill, Lane, Thomasville, Henredon, Drexel Heritage and Maitland-Smith.
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