Lucas Named President of Rowe; Birnbach Becomes Advisor

March 20, 2007  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Upholstery on March 2007 Stefanie Lucas has been named president and chief executive officer of Rowe Furniture, succeeding Jerry Birnbach in the position.

Birnbach will remain as an advisor to the company, according to a release by Sun Capital Partners, the company that acquired Rowe earlier this year.

Prior to the management change, Lucas was senior vice president of marketing and merchandising for the company.

“We are pleased to appoint Stefanie as Rowe’s new president and CEO,” said Christopher T. Metz, managing director of Sun Capital. “Stefanie has an extensive marketing, sales and management career in home furnishings and brings the right blend of experience and leadership to Rowe to further grow and accentuate our focus on strategic objectives and core competencies. She is uniquely qualified to lead the management team to maximize Rowe’s position in the custom upholstered furniture industry.”

Birnbach had been with Rowe since 1956. He has served as the company’s chairman of the board since 1976 and was president of the company off and on through the years. Prior to being named president in 1972, he was vice president of merchandising and sales. Sun Capital acquired the company out of bankruptcy in January through its affiliate Lexington-Rowe Furniture Holding Co.