McNeely, Simmons Named VPs at Hickory Springs

July 13, 2011  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on July 14, 2011

As part of a company-wide realignment, furniture components vendor Hickory Springs has named Brad McNeely and Mike Simmons vice president.

McNeely has been promoted to the new position of vice president of new product development. The position was created to support the company's development of its new Corporate Innovation and Testing Center. Over the next few weeks, McNeely will announce additional personnel changes to support the development of the center. He is responsible for building and leading an enhanced product development team, which is responsible for expanding the company's product portfolio and taking the company into new markets in the near future.

McNeely joined Hickory Springs in 1989 as a sales trainee. He previously held the position of regional sales manager and has led the company's regional sales team as foam marketing manager since 2003.

"It's an honor to be chosen to lead Hickory Springs into a new era of growth and change," McNeely said. "Our new Corporate Innovation and Testing Center is an important step in the ongoing diversification of the company, and I am excited to be part of the team that will help define the future of Hickory Springs."
In this new role, Mr. McNeely will be

Simmons will McNeely at the Corporate Innovation and Testing Center in the newly created position of vice president of new business development. He will work with McNeely to develop new products for new markets. He has been with the company for 20 years in a variety of positions, most recently as national marketing manager.

"I look forward to working with Brad to carve out new growth markets and revenue streams for Hickory Springs and our customers," Simmons said. "It's an exciting time to be part of the company as we seek new ways to build on our core competencies and continue to expand the Hickory Springs brand."

"Brad and Mike have earned these promotions and we are excited to have them leading the company's new product and new business development," said Executive Vice President and Chief Sales & Marketing Officer Dwayne Welch. "Their experience and expertise will be instrumental in the ongoing diversification of the company and in shaping the development of our our new Corporate Innovation and Testing Center."

Both McNeely and Simmons will be located in the newly renovated Corporate Innovation and Testing Center in Conover, N.C.