Summer Classics And Gabby Brands Fill Various Positions

Furniture World News Desk on 2/6/2017

Summer Classics and Gabby Brands recently announced the new appoints of several positions within the company.

Nicki Hayes Appointed Chief Marketing Officer
Nicki Hayes joins Gabriella White as chief marketing officer (CMO). Hayes is a veteran marketing executive with experience leading marketing efforts and product development for premier lifestyle brands. As CMO, she will oversee national marketing strategy, product development and drive revenue growth across the Gabby and Summer Classics lines, while creating new opportunities for the brands.

“Nicki has led marketing efforts at some of the most innovative companies in the industry,” said William White. “Her deep understanding of what customers want combined with her ability to grow revenue make her a great fit to lead marketing efforts at our company. Nicki’s experience and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to drive Summer Classics and Gabby’s expansion and growth.”

“I’m thrilled to be joining Gabriella White, LLC,” said Hayes. “The Summer Classics and Gabby brands are well poised for its next decade of growth in the furniture industry. The company has an outstanding culture of innovative excellence, and I’m excited to apply my expertise and leverage industry trends to drive growth.”

William White Appointed President
William White has been named president, effective immediately. As president, William White will have responsibility for all of the company’s operations. William White will report directly to CEO and founder Bew White.

William White founded Gabby in 2008, the indoor division of the company, and has served as Gabby president. In 2015, he added the responsibilities of corporate marketing to his role. Under William White’s leadership, both Gabby and Summer Classics have strategically broadened their brand presence and improved operations. These actions have helped drive solid year-over-year growth and expanded the company’s position in both the indoor and outdoor furniture industries.

“William is incredibly intelligent and reflective,” said Bew White. “That coupled with his leadership experience and proven ability to deliver results makes him the right person to execute Summer Classics’ and Gabby’s priorities and drive continued growth.”

His father’s entrepreneurial, intense work ethic has made an impact on William White. “I am excited and honored to take on this role, and look forward to partnering with my father and our talented team to deliver on our vision for the future,” said William White. “And I am eager to accelerate the strategic actions we’ve outlined to advance our company’s growth agenda.

Elaine Yancey Appointed Director of Customer Experience
Elaine Yancey has been named Director of Customer Experience. Yancey has more than 25 years of experience in customer service, operations and leadership roles in both retail and nonprofit organizations. Yancey will assure the successful execution of the company’s business mission through the leadership, day to day management and development of the service team.  

“As we continue to grow, we’re excited to have Elaine lead the front lines of our customer relations,” says William White. “Her track record of creating a positive impact will resonate with our customers.” 

James Oh Appointed Associate Vice President of Sales:
James Oh has been hired as associate vice president of sales. Oh will be responsible for coordinated sales efforts, developing new business opportunities and creating customized solutions to meet customer needs. Oh has more than 20 years of sales and multi-store experience, consistently driving business to increase profitability.

“James brings a wealth of sales management experience and valuable know-how, and will be an asset to our fast-growing team,” says Schon Duke, vice president of sales.

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More about Nicki Hayes: Before joining Gabriella White, LLC, Hayes served as Division President Omni-channel Lifestyle Marketing of NBG, luxury, lifestyle fashion and home brand companies. She led multi- department teams in defining and executing brand, marketing, digital and e-commerce tactics to drive transformational user experience. Hayes served as CEO of Luxe Home, a regional based luxury design firm, where she led design and marketing teams to double digit sales growth. Her work on the soft side of home includes work with brands like Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang and Martha Stewart. Hayes completed a Bachelor’s degree in Business from Pace University and graduate work in Digital Marketing from Rutgers University.

More about William White: In 2008 White developed the indoor furniture line, Gabby, with a mission to change the way that consumers think about furniture. He assembled a team to create unique transitional furniture in eclectic, vintage modern and antique style for the design and retail trade. Among White’s many accomplishments during this time was Gabby’s ranking as one of the Top 1,000 fastest-growing companies in America according to Inc. magazine, a list made by very few furniture companies. During his tenure as Gabby president, he also served as CMO of both brands, where segments of the company saw double digit growth.

Prior to joining Gabriella White, LLC, White served as a product manager for Compass Bank and sales specialist for BASF. White received a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from The University of Colorado and a Masters of Business Administration from The University of Alabama.

More about James Oh: Oh spent six years as the store manager of Arhaus in Leawood, Kansas, where he increased sales, recruited and developed talent and maintained a high guest experience. Prior to that, he served as a store leader to direct sales and business operations of other national retail chains. 

More about Summer Classics: Summer Classics is a member of the Gabriella White, LLC family of companies and is a premier innovator, manufacturer, and retailer of fine outdoor furniture in the U.S. since 1978. The family owned company has aimed to delight its customers by passionately designing patio furniture with the belief that timeless designs can and will be embraced for years. Life's Best Moments. For more informatio, visit summerclassics.com.

More about Gabby: Gabby is a member of the Gabriella White, LLC family of companies. It is a family-owned furniture company that creates unique, eclectic furniture and lighting in transitional, modern and antique styles for the design and retail trade. It has distribution centers in Los Angeles, CA and Pelham, AL. The company defines its purpose as, Compelling Design for Inspired Living.™ For more information, visit gabbyhome.com.