Paula Hoyas Named VP Upholstery Merchandising For La-Z-Boy

Furniture World Magazine

La-Z-Boy Residential has promoted Paula Hoyas to the newly created position of vice president of upholstery merchandising. This new appointment follows Hoyas' two successful years as director of upholstery merchandising, during which she was the driver behind all La-Z-Boy upholstery furniture introductions, including the popular Todd Oldham by La-Z-Boy collection and the high-end Inspired Living collection. Hoyas also has been integral to the company's continued success in the growing leather category. In her new position, Hoyas maintains responsibility for the overall strategic direction of upholstery merchandising, specifically managing the design, development, introduction and profitability of all upholstery products. In addition, she is responsible for overseeing and ensuring the continuity of product selection for stores in the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® network. "Our merchandising team has expanded over the last two years, and Paula has provided the strategic direction responsible for the development of many innovative, high-quality products," said Greg White, vice president of merchandising and sales for La-Z-Boy. "Paula's accomplishments at La-Z-Boy, combined with her home furnishings expertise and focus on quality, make her the ideal leader for our growing merchandising department." Hoyas continues to report to White and now supervises a team of 10, which includes three specific product managers: Leslie Salenbien, outsource product manager, Penny Eudy, product manager of upholstery, and Bud Caywood, designer and leather product manager. "Successful product development and merchandising initiatives are important as we strive to maintain the quality and style that customers expect from La-Z-Boy," said Hoyas. "I'm looking forward to leading this merchandising team as we continue to design and develop innovative products for the comfort of our customers." Hoyas joined La-Z-Boy in 2001 as the product manager for motion upholstery, and was promoted to director of upholstery merchandising in 2003. Prior to that, Hoyas worked for Homelife Furniture as a buyer of reclining, home office and ready-to-assemble furniture and bedding, and was responsible for all merchandising activities in these categories. While at Homelife Furniture, she fulfilled various roles with the company, including associate buyer of upholstery furniture, local market promotion manager and buyer of occasional furniture. Hoyas graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in business administration from Wilkes University in Wilkes Barre, Penn. She and her husband, Edward, currently live in Monroe, Mich. About La-Z-Boy Headquartered in Monroe, Mich., La-Z-Boy is North America's largest manufacturer of upholstered furniture and the world's leading producer of reclining chairs. The company manufactures a full line of products for the living room and family room, including the company's world-famous recliners, reclining sofas and loveseats, sleep sofas, modular furniture and leather upholstery, as well as stationary sofas, love seats and chairs. It is a division of La-Z-Boy Incorporated (NYSE, PCX: LZB), one of the nation's largest furniture manufacturers and marketers.