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Sydney Retires from AmericasMart
July 21,
2011 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on July 22, 2011
Chas Sydney, who has lead the AmericasMart Atlanta area rug business for more than 30 years, has retired as senior vice president.
Sydneys retirement coincides with the conclusion of the July 2011 Atlanta International Area Rug Market and Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market and marks the completion of a successful 31-year tenure in which he led the area rug business through a succession of advances.
We were a very different company in 1980 when Chas first signed on," said Jeffrey Portman Sr., president and COO. "And we are a much better company today because of his incredible sales skills, his customer service commitment and his long, hard work over these last three decades. We would not be in the rug business today, let alone be the nations number-one area rug marketplace, if it were not for Chas Sydney."
Sydney leaves the area rug product center well-positioned for continuing growth with more than 350,000 square feet of space on floors three through six in AmericasMart Building One.
When you truly love what you do, how hard you work or how long you work doesnt matter, Sydney said. What matters is what youve accomplished, the differences youve made and what you leave. I want to thank AMC and the Portman family for giving me the opportunity to do my best for many years. Its been a great run.
Kevin Malkiewicz, AMCs newest vice president, assumes all area rug center leasing and management responsibilities at Sydneys departure. Mike Turnbull, AMC senior vice president for strategic relations, will continue in his role as area rug industry liaison with chief responsibility for sustaining the Oriental Rug Importers Association (ORIA)AmericasMart Atlanta alliance.
Kevin has helped lead our area rug and home furnishings business for more than 12 years," Sydney said. "He is well prepared for this role and will undoubtedly reinforce AmericasMarts commitment to the Oriental Rug Importers Association (ORIA), the rug business at AMC and the continued unparalleled customer service to the area rug industry.
Going forward, Sydney will work with AMC as consultant on a variety of initiatives.