Furniture First Boosts Merchandising Team

January 15, 2014  by in Executive Changes, Industry   

Brian Hass has been named director of merchandising and brings more than 20 years of experience in the home furnishings industry.

He began as store manager for Just Cabinets, a four-store furniture and kitchen cabinet retailer in Pennsylvania. As the business grew he was promoted to buyer, and ultimately became vice president. In this role, Brian helped the chain to grow to 21 storefronts, overseeing broad aspects of the business including merchandising, product sourcing, advertising, and logistics management. During his tenure he helped the retailer grow its merchandise mix by adding categories including mattresses, upholstery, electronics and appliances.

Jamie Broussard has been named director of accents and accessories. She has more than 20 years of experience in the home furnishings and decorative accessory industry. She has led sales, marketing, product development and sourcing efforts throughout the U.S., Asia, and Europe. Her career began on the retail sales floor and transitioned into buying, management and product development. 

Broussard previously served in key executive positions for Dezine Ltd., Fenton Art Glass, Bridges Limited, and Evergreen Enterprises.

Liz McGoldrick has been named director of upholstery and motion, a newly created position for the group. She has 27 years of upholstery and leather experience along with product knowledge training, merchandising expertise and a strong sales and marketing background.  McGoldrick's vendor associations include sales and marketing relationships with Brookwood Upholstery, Leather Trend/Leather Mart, Wambold Furniture, and A.R.T. Furniture.

These additions will allow the current merchandising staff, Ron Page, senior director of merchandising and membership, and Andrew Kauffman, director of mattresses, to focus on new membership and core merchandise categories—case goods and mattresses respectively.