La-Z-Boy Taps Tj Linz as President of Retail Division

March 27, 2019  by Laurie Northington in Executive Changes, Industry   

Linz will report to Kurt Darrow, chairman, president and CEO, and will be responsible for driving the strategy, growth and profitability of the company’s retail segment, which today includes 155 La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores with approximately 1,400 employees.

Linz joined La-Z-Boy in 2015 as director of strategy and analytics and became director of retail operations and strategy, reporting to King, in 2017. In that role, he developed strategic initiatives across a multitude of disciplines, including pricing and promotions, advertising, visual merchandising, and compensation, leading to improved performance across the Retail operation.

“Tj has been instrumental in the development of numerous strategies that have delivered enhanced results across the retail segment,” said Darrow. “Working side by side with Dan, he has demonstrated his acumen to use data-driven analysis to create high-performing structures and operational excellence. As part of the senior leadership team of La-Z-Boy Incorporated, I look forward to working with Tj to develop strategies across the entire enterprise, including those pertaining to the Retail segment, as we execute the company’s growth plan.”

Darrow added, “It is with mixed emotion that we say goodbye to Dan, who joined La-Z-Boy in 2008 when the company owned 70 La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries stores. During his tenure, Dan played an integral role in the turnaround and growth of the retail business through changes to its operational structure and the integration of numerous acquisitions. A dedicated executive and leader, he built a results-driven team with passion for the business. Through their success, the benefit of the company’s integrated retail model to the company’s overall profitability became clearly evident. Dan will be sorely missed and we wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

Linz said, “I am excited to lead a growing part of the La-Z-Boy business, particularly during such a dynamic period within the retail arena. With an iconic and trusted brand, great people on the store teams, and a vibrant La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries store system across North America, I look forward to all that we can accomplish to continue to deliver excellent results.”

Prior to joining La-Z-Boy, Linz was with Deloitte Consulting LLP for nine years, most recently as senior manager in the Deloitte Digital Division.  He earned his B.S. in Computer Engineering from Northwestern University and his MBA from the University’s Kellogg School of Management.