La-Z-Boy Announces Realignment of Executive Team

April 5, 2023  by HFBusiness Staff in Business Strategy, Industry   

In connection with the company’s new fiscal year at end of April:

Rebecca Reeder will join the company as President, Retail La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries. In her role as President, Retail La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries, Reeder will have executive oversight and P&L responsibility for the company’s Retail segment. 

This includes 168 of the 346 La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries^® stores. In addition, she will assume responsibility for sales to the remaining independently owned La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries^® stores, driving alignment of the consumer experience throughout the entire network.

- Keith Wilson, President International and Joybird, has announced his intention to retire, and will move to special projects to support transitions through the summer. In concert with his retirement:

- Tj Linz will assume responsibility for Joybird, in addition to his previously announced move to assume the role of President, Portfolio Brands, succeeding Otis Sawyer upon his retirement.

- Robert Sundy, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, will expand his role to become President, La-Z-Boy Brand and Chief Commercial Officer, adding the company’s international La-Z-Boy branded operations to his leadership.

Melinda D. Whittington, president and chief executive officer of La-Z-Boy Incorporated, said, “We are thrilled to have an executive of Rebecca’s caliber join La-Z-Boy Incorporated. She brings with her years of executive experience leading strong retail brands that ignite customer advocacy and sustain loyalty.”

“Additionally, with expertise in building high-performing teams and driving operational execution, we look forward to her leadership as we champion the growth of the La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries^® network as a key part of our Century Vision growth strategy.”

Whittington also noted, “At the same time, it is with mixed emotion that we announce the retirement of Keith Wilson, President International and Joybird. Throughout Keith’s seven-year tenure, he played a key role in building the La-Z-Boy brand internationally and led the acquisition of Furnico, our U.K.-based manufacturing operation.”

“More recently, Keith has also been responsible for leading Joybird, our direct-to-consumer upholstery company acquired in 2018. We thank Keith for his many contributions to La-Z-Boy Incorporated and wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”

Whittington continued, “With the addition of Rebecca and related realignment of responsibilities across the team, the Executive Team is well positioned to lead the next chapter of our iconic, 96-year-old company as we execute our Century Vision strategy for long-term profitable growth. I’m proud of our team and the accomplishments to date, and even more excited for what’s ahead.”

Reeder said, “I am excited to join La-Z-Boy Incorporated at such a pivotal time in the company’s history. As it executes Century Vision with a focus on expanding the La-Z-Boy brand reach, retail stores will play a central role in the process.”

She continued, “I’m thrilled to lead the store expansion initiative while capitalizing on the brand’s amazing attributes of comfort, quality and durability as we further enhance the end-to-end consumer experience. I look forward to working with a talented team across the organization.”

Reeder joins La-Z-Boy from Chico’s FAS, where she serves as SVP, Retail for Soma, White House Black Market and Chico’s, in addition to having responsibility for Customer Care Center sales and visual merchandising.

Before joining Chico’s, she held various Retail, Marketing and Merchandising leadership roles at Pacific Sunwear, Bebe, Express and American Eagle Outfitters. Reeder holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Communication from Miami University. She will officially join the company on April 17, 2023