Hass, Kauffman Named Furniture First VPs

September 26, 2014  by in Executive Changes, Industry   

Brain Hass has been named vice president of merchandising. In his position, Hass oversees the merchandising staffs in case goods, upholstery and accessories. He also focuses on developing case goods, area rugs and outdoor furniture programs.

Hass has been with Furniture First since 2013. He started his furniture career with Just Cabinets in Pennsylvania where he was named vice president. In this role, he 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, Hass helped this case goods retailer grow its merchandise mix by adding categories including mattresses, upholstery, electronics and appliances.

Andrew Kauffman has been named vice president of sleep products and markets. In addition to managing the mattress programs, top of bed programs, and the Mattress 1st Store Concept, he will also be in charge of market planning and showroom events.

Kauffman joined Furniture First in 2011, with more than 20 years of experience in the furniture industry.  He began his furniture career delivering mattresses for a Pennsylvania sleep shop with five locations. He worked his way up to sales manager. In 1999, Kauffman joined a two-store furniture retailer as a sales manager and helped institute new sales training guides for mattresses and upholstery. In 2009, he took over as operations manager and assistant buyer. 

The experience in multi-store retail environments that  Hass and Kauffman possess translates into an advantage for buying group members. 

This organization of responsibilities will allow existing team members, including Ron Page, senior director of merchandising and membership, and Liz McGoldrick, director of upholstery and home décor, to focus on new membership and core merchandise categories.