DWR Taps John VP Design, Merchandising

September 19, 2006  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Furniture Retailing on September 2006 Multi-channel contemporary retailer Design Within Reach has promoted Karen John to the newly created position of vice president of design and merchandising.

John’s expanded responsibilities include all design and merchandising activities for the retailer. She is responsible for the company’s overall product strtaegies, developing new products and managing partner relations with designers and manufacturers.

John, who has served as a consultant to the company since 2003 and as director of product development since 2005, will continue to report to Ray Brunner, the retailer’s president and chief executive officer.

“The energy and knowledge Karen brings to her new position will benefit our customers, our buying team and all of our stakeholders,” Brunner said. “With Masters degrees in industrial design, manufacturing engineering and business administration, Karen has proven to be a well-respected and outstanding innovator and leader.”

John is assuming merchandise responsibilities from Michelle Carrara, who served as the retailer’s vice president of merchandising from February 2006 until earlier this month.

“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to work closely with our product and sales teams to uncover new and relevant design solutions that will further advance DWR’s design leadership,” John said.

John began consulting with Design Within Reach in 2003 to help define the vision, strategy and process for the company’s product development efforts and was named director of product development in 2005.