Steve Lush Gets New EVP Post at Hooker Furniture

October 31, 2016  by Larry Thomas in Executive Changes, Industry   

In the new position, Lush will direct the activities and long-term sales and merchandising strategic direction for Hooker Casegoods. Lush “will be invaluable to us and our customers as we develop products and strategies to respond to the changes currently underway in the home furnishings sector,” said Paul B. Toms, chairman and CEO of Hooker.

“With both a retail and manufacturing perspective in the upper-price-points case goods arena where we operate, we believe Steve can help set our overall direction, identify opportunities in trending styles and products, in retail channels and the overall retail landscape,” Toms added.

“I’m pleased and honored to join Hooker Furniture Corporation,” Lush said. “With its solid financial stability, experienced management team and considerable expertise in merchandising and marketing, Hooker is uniquely positioned for significant growth. I am excited about being part of the team and helping to take the company to the next level.”

Prior to leading Robb & Stucky, Lush served in executive sales management positions at Universal Furniture and Hickory Chair Co. Prior to that, he was a senior executive at retailer Hendricks Furniture Group, which operated Thomasville Home Furnishings and Boyles Furniture stores.

He began his career as a fourth-generation manager in his family’s retail furniture business founded by his great-grandfather in 1893.

The addition of Lush in the new executive vice president position at Hooker is “part of our succession plan to make sure that high caliber leadership is in place for the next 10 to 15 years,” Toms said.

In December, Hank Long, senior vice president of merchandising and design at Hooker, is retiring, and Ray Harm, senior vice president of sales, plans to retire next May, Toms said.

Lush, who reports to Mike Delgatti, president of Hooker Furniture, expects to begin his new job in December.