Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Doug Collier Retires from La-Z-Boy
April 25,
2019 by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry 
La-Z-Boy Inc. (NYSE: LZB) has announced the retirement of J. Douglas Collier, SVP, chief commercial officer and president International, effective June 22. Collier plans to pursue personal business interests and passions.
Collier joined La-Z-Boy in 2002 as vice president of marketing for the La-Z-Boy branded business. He left the company in 2005 and returned two years later to serve as chief marketing officer and has since held positions of increasing responsibility.
Collier’s accomplishments include the development of the La-Z-Boy brand platform, featuring brand ambassador Brooke Shields, which contributed to 13 consecutive quarters of same-store sales increases averaging 10%, beginning in November 2010. He was also instrumental in selecting Kristen Bell as the new face of La-Z-Boy. In addition, Collier led a significant transformation of the company’s digital capabilities, implementing a world-class web and e-commerce technology platform and digital marketing system.
As President International, Collier more than doubled the size of the company’s non-North American business and significantly increased its overall profitability. He was also responsible for the company’s fast-growing presence in China, and led the strategy to create a wholly owned La-Z-Boy U.K. business.
“Doug has made numerous strategic contributions to La-Z-Boy over his tenure with the company,” said Kurt L. Darrow, chairman, president and CEO of La-Z-Boy. Under his leadership, the company has enjoyed success with the Live Life Comfortably brand platform, increased its digital presence, and significantly expanded its international reach. Doug has been an integral part of our senior leadership team and it has been an honor and pleasure to work with him over the years. We wish Doug all the best in his new endeavors.”
“It is with mixed emotions that I retire from La-Z-Boy. I have been very fortunate to have worked at such a great company for the last 12 years with so many inspiring and creative colleagues and partners around the world,” said Collier. “They will continue to make La-Z-Boy an ever-more iconic and powerful brand. With a strong leadership team in place, I have every confidence the company will continue to prosper as it adapts to the rapidly changing environment while carving out new markets and opportunities.”