ST. LOUIS, June 7, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Furniture Brands International (NYSE:FBN) announced that Kathy Veltri has been appointed to the position of President, Thomasville Furniture. Veltri will be responsible for all facets of the Thomasville brand, including company owned Thomasville stores.
Veltri most recently was Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Arhaus Furniture. At Arhaus, she held positions with increasing levels of responsibility that included P&L accountability, marketing and brand management and store operations. She has over 20 years of retail experience and her background includes work for Cole National (which includes retailers: Pearle Vision, Sears Optical, Target Optical), Sight Resource, Inc. and J.B. Robinson Jewelers.
"We are thrilled to have Kathy, who is a very successful veteran retailer, leading Thomasville into the future. Her strong furniture retailing experience, keen knowledge of store operations as well as her brand marketing acumen will be an asset to the Thomasville team and help us achieve the growth plans we have for the brand," said Ralph Scozzafava, Chairman and CEO of Furniture Brands.
Veltri commented, "Joining the Thomasville brand team is very exciting. There are tremendous opportunities ahead for this brand to create a best-in-class retail environment, while offering amazing fashion for the home. I am committed to helping the team make shopping a Thomasville store a 'don't miss' experience."
Veltri replaces Ed Teplitz, former president of Thomasville, who will be leaving the company on June 14.
About Furniture Brands
Furniture Brands International, Inc. (NYSE:FBN) is a world leader in designing, manufacturing, sourcing and retailing home furnishings. Furniture Brands markets products through a wide range of channels, including company owned Thomasville retail stores and through interior designers, multi-line/independent retailers and mass merchant stores. Furniture Brands serves its customers through some of the best known and most respected brands in the furniture industry, including Thomasville, Broyhill, Lane, Drexel Heritage, Henredon, Pearson, Hickory Chair, Lane Venture, Maitland-Smith and LaBarge. To learn more about the company, visit: furniturebrands.com