Flexsteel Executive Lee Fautsch to Retire; Kennedy Named VP of Home Furnishings

October 10, 2016  by Jane Chero in Executive Changes, Industry   

Fautsch, who has been with Flexsteel for 27 years, has been in his current post since 2005. He joined the company as a sales manager, and was promoted to national sales manager in 2004.

“Flexsteel has been fortunate to have an executive like Lee Fautsch,” said Karel Czanderna, President and CEO. “During his career, he developed the quality of our home furnishings sales force to secure nearly three million square feet of dedicated retail space, resulting in significant profitable top-line growth. He has also been a major contributor in building our broad product portfolio, including the expansion into sourced leather motion and stationary products.

“We will build upon the extensive breadth and depth of Lee's relationships with our home furnishings retail customers across the United States to ensure continued success.”

The company also said Dan Kennedy has been promoted to vice president of the home furnishings business, which includes seating and casegoods for the home.

Kennedy has been with Flexsteel since 2013, when the company integrated its Wynwood casegoods and Flexsteel upholstery lines. He was promoted to vice president of marketing for home furnishings in 2015.

In his new role, he will oversee sales, merchandising and product development, and will work with the company’s operations team to continue to growth of the business.

“With over 30 years of furniture industry experience, Dan has a wealth of home furnishings industry knowledge and a keen understanding of the needs of today’s furniture retailer and the furniture consumer, and we are thrilled to have him leading this important business,” said Czanderna.

Before joining Flexsteel, Kennedy was president of retailer Belfort Furniture, and also president of Kloss Furniture Companies.

“I am excited to lead the home furnishings business and to continue working with the excellent team we have in place,” said Kennedy. “I look forward to partnering with our customers to deliver profitable growth for them and for Flexsteel.”