Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
Fred Poggemeyer Joins Thos. Baker as Director of Merchandising
September 19,
2019 by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Executive Changes, Industry 
Catalog and outdoor furnishings retailer Thos. Baker, a division of Balsam Brands, has announced Fred Poggemeyer as its director of merchandising.
Poggemeyer’s mission is to make Thos. Baker into a must-have brand by merchandising existing iconic designs, developing exciting new designs and outdoor opportunities for the brand and identifying licensing and partnership opportunities.
The brand was founded in 2004 in Bainbridge Island, Washington. Products include the seven-piece Veranda Collection teak dining table set for $3,995 to $4,495; the folding outdoor Ping Pong table $5,520; and the handcrafted Mandarin Wood Burning Fire Pit in four sizes for $1,095 to $2,895.
Poggemeyer started his 34-year home furnishings career at Woodward & Lothrop and John Wanamaker and has worked for JC Penney Portfolio, Federated Department Stores, The Bombay Company, Pier 1 Imports, Mackenzie-Childs and Ethan Allan. At Mackenzie-Childs he developed the company’s first outdoor furniture line. At Ethan Allen he was integral to the partnership with Disney to create EA Disney, a children’s furniture line. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
“Fred’s expertise is exactly what we need to move Thos. Baker forward,” said Thomas Harman, CEO and founder of Balsam Brands, “We are excited to have him join our team.”
In May 2018, Balsam Brands, the parent company that includes premium artificial Christmas tree company, Balsam Hill, announced the purchase of Thos. Baker.