Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Art Van Announces Leadership Changes
August 2,
2019 by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry 
Art Van Furniture has announced changes to its executive leadership team. Ron Boire is departing as president and CEO. Chris Pelcher has been appointed EVP, chief merchandising officer and Gary Van Elslander has assumed the role of chairman of the board.
The board of directors has engaged a leading executive search firm to assist in finding a replacement for Boire, who will be transitioning out of the role in the coming weeks.
Pelcher replaces Gail Galea, who has left the company. Pelcher most recently served as general manager of Levin Furniture and Wolf Furniture, which are owned by Art Van LLC. He has more than 25 years of furniture and mattress experience and will oversee the merchandising strategy for the company’s brands in addition to his responsibilities leading the day-to-day operations of Levin Furniture and Wolf Furniture.
“It’s such an honor to have the opportunity to lead merchandising for the Art Van family of brands,” said Pelcher. “I have known and admired the Art Van brand for many years and am privileged to continue our tradition of bringing great product and great value to our customers.”
Pelcher, along with Jim Ferguson, chief operating officer; Mark Censoprano, chief marketing officer; David Ladd, chief financial officer; and Michelle Dolski, senior vice president of human resources, will collectively assume the responsibilities required to lead the day-to-day operations of the company.
As chairman of the board, Van Elslander, son of founder Art Van Elslander, will provide guidance to the executive team and the board utilizing his decades of expertise that helped Art Van Furniture become the Midwest No. 1 furniture and mattress retailer.
“Today marks another important step in Art Van’s transformational journey,” said Van Elslander. “I look forward to continuing to work closely with the board of directors, the executive leadership team, and our dedicated Art Van associates who proudly embody my father’s vision when he founded his iconic company 60 years ago.”