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La-Z-Boy Names 2 to Board of Directors
January 20,
2010 by in UnCategorized 
By Home Furnishings Business in on January 21, 2010
La-Z-Boy Inc. (NYSE: LZB) has named Janet Gurwitch and Edwin J. Holman to its board of directors.
The appointments expand the company's board temporarily to 13 members until August when two long-term directors Rocque Lipford and Jack Thompson will no longer be eligible for re-election under the company's governance guidelines. Both Lipford and Thompson will retire upon completion of their current three-year terms.
Gurwitch is chairman of Gurwitch Consulting Group. She was the co-founder of Laura Mercier Cosmetics, a global brand of high-end niche cosmetics, which was later sold to Amway. Prior to founding Laura Mercier Cosmetics, Gurwitch was an executive vice president of Neiman Marcus responsible for $2 billion in sales.
She began her career in retailing at Foleys Department store, where she rose to the position of senior vice president of merchandising.
Holman has spent his entire career in the retail arena, working for many well-known companies. He is currently chairman of The Pantry, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed company and the
leading independently operated convenience store chain in the Southeastern U.S.
Previously, Holman was chairman and CEO of Macys Central, a division of Macys Inc. He was also the chairman and CEO of Galyans Trading Co., which operated a chain of sporting goods and outdoor stores, and, prior to that, Holman was the president and COO of Bloomingdales, a division of Federated Department Stores.
We are delighted Janet and Edwin have joined our board of directors" said James W. Johnston, La-Z-Boy chairman. "They are both high-caliber, seasoned retail executives and will bring significant expertise and perspective to our company as we continue to pursue our integrated retail strategy. Additionally, succession planning remains of paramount importance to La-Z-Boy Incorporated and, with two members of our board retiring in August, bringing in Janet and Edwin at this time will ensure a smooth transition.
Both Janet and Edwin are welcome additions to our board, and they will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to our company during a time of industry transition," said Kurt Darrow, president and CEO of La-Z-Boy. "In addition to Janets long history in retailing, her expertise in consumer products, marketing and growing brands uniquely positions her to provide insight into our consumer base and the fashion component of furniture purchases. At the same time, Edwin brings a wealth of experience from a career spanning more than 30 years in retailing. He has a proven track record of growing retail businesses and understands the dynamics of the marketplace.