La-Z-Boy Announces Chief Marketing Officer Departure

Furniture World Magazine

La-Z-Boy Incorporated announced the resignation of chief marketing officer, Doug Collier, to accept a position with Select Comfort. He had joined La-Z- Boy in 2002 as vice president, marketing for La-Z-Boy Residential. La-Z-Boy Incorporated President and CEO Kurt L. Darrow said, "We wish Doug well in his new opportunity as chief marketing officer and SVP, marketing at Select Comfort and respect his decision to shift companies and locations in order to fulfill his personal obligations to his family. He will certainly be successful in this new opportunity. Doug provided many valuable contributions and perspectives to La-Z-Boy since joining our company three years ago. He and the team he assembled have enabled us to successfully broaden and expand the power of the La-Z-Boy brand and drive improved performance of our Furniture Galleries system." Background Information With annual sales of $2 billion, La-Z-Boy Incorporated is one of the world's leading residential furniture producers, marketing furniture for every room of the home and office, as well as for the hospitality, health care and assisted-living industries. The La-Z-Boy Upholstery Group companies are Bauhaus, Centurion, Clayton Marcus, England, La-Z-Boy and Sam Moore. The La- Z-Boy Casegoods Group companies are American Drew, American of Martinsville, Hammary, Kincaid, Lea and Pennsylvania House. The corporation's vast proprietary distribution network is dedicated exclusively to selling La-Z-Boy Incorporated products and brands, and includes 337 stand-alone La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries(R) stores and 334 La-Z-Boy In- Store Gallerys, in addition to in-store gallery programs at the company's Kincaid, Pennsylvania House, Clayton Marcus, England and Lea operating units. According to industry trade publication Furniture/Today, the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries retail network by itself represents the industry's fourth largest U.S. furniture retailer and the second largest single source furniture retailer. Additional information is available at http://www.la-z-boy.com/ . In a separate announcement, Select Comfort Corporation a leading bed retailer and creator of the Sleep Number(R) bed, announced the appointment of J. Douglas Collier as senior vice president and chief marketing officer, effective July 1. Collier joins Select Comfort from La-Z-Boy, Inc., where he most recently was Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President, Marketing and Furniture Galleries Development. At La-Z-Boy, he was responsible for the broadening of the La-Z-Boy brand and stimulating new growth through marketing and product initiatives, including the launch of the Todd Oldham by La-Z-Boy Collection. Collier also has significant experience with retail management and marketing through his leadership of all La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries marketing and development activities. "Select Comfort is at an exciting stage in the marketing and development of the Sleep Number bed, growing our market share and solidifying our position as the nation's leading bed retailer," said Bill McLaughlin, chairman and CEO, Select Comfort. "Doug's leadership in the marketing and development of consumer durable products and experience in the retail field will ensure we continue building brand awareness and providing the best product for our customers. His success building high performance teams, and in boldly and strategically re-launching and expanding strong brands, in the U.S. and internationally, will support Select Comfort's plan for long-term growth." Collier began his career with GE Canada in product management and marketing and moved to Whirlpool where he had responsibility for Business Development and Process Improvement and gained international product management experience with Whirlpool Europe. He held marketing, international and general management roles with Iomega Corporation and Nibco Inc., prior to joining La-Z-Boy in 2002. Collier is originally from Canada and received his MBA at the University of Toronto. About Select Comfort Founded in 1987, Select Comfort Corporation is the nation's leading bed retailer(1), holding 32 U.S. issued or pending patents for its personalized sleep products. The company designs, manufactures and markets a line of adjustable-firmness mattresses featuring air-chamber technology, branded the Sleep Number(R) bed, as well as foundations and sleep accessories. Select Comfort's products are sold through its 367 retail stores located nationwide; through selected bedding retailers; through its national direct marketing operations; and on the Internet at www.selectcomfort.com.