Kim Shaver Will Shift To Independent Consultant Role At Hooker

Furniture World News Desk on 4/3/2014

Kim D. Shaver, a marketing communications executive at Hooker Furniture since 2000, reported that she is leaving the company as an employee but will continue in an independent consultant/ contractor role there.

As an independent consultant, she will manage public and media relations, corporate communications and social media marketing at Hooker, Sam Moore and Bradington-Young.
She plans to have other clients in the industry as well.

She will be working by appointment in the Hooker showroom at the Spring Furniture Market opening later this week.

“Hooker Furniture is extremely fortunate to have had Kim Shaver as part of our team the past fourteen years. She has contributed on many levels to our success, from branding to investor relations, social media to advertising, with both internal and external communications. Kim has always represented this company in the same way she presents herself…with the utmost professionalism and integrity. We will miss her day-to-day involvement but look forward to her continued contributions as we transition to this new working arrangement,” said Paul Toms, chief executive officer of Hooker.

“It’s been a blessing and privilege to be part of the Hooker Furniture family,” Shaver said. “I have the deepest respect and affection for the culture, values and people of Hooker. Just as I’m appreciative of the dynamic and rewarding time that I’ve served as an employee, I’m also appreciative of the opportunity to transition to a new type of working relationship. This new season in my career will allow greater flexibility for me to focus on ministry and family activities, and to make other contributions in the industry. My passion and commitment remain fervent for the success of Hooker Furniture and the industry as a whole.”

Shaver is a 30-year veteran of the furniture industry. She began with leading international trade publication Furniture/Today in January 1984, serving in roles there including Upholstery Editor and Consumer Editor, creating the “The Consumer Chase” and “Consumer Speaks” columns reporting on how to reach, understand and connect with the ultimate consumer. She joined Hooker in 2000 in a new position in brand development, brand communications and public relations, and was named Vice President of Marketing Communications in 2005.

About Hooker: Ranked among the nation's top 10 largest publicly traded furniture sources based on 2013 shipments to U.S. retailers, Hooker Furniture Corporation is an 90-year old residential wood, metal and upholstered furniture resource. Major casegoods product categories include home entertainment, home office, accent, dining, and bedroom furniture in the upper-medium price points sold under the Hooker Furniture brand. Hooker's residential upholstered seating product lines include Bradington-Young, a specialist in upscale motion and stationary leather furniture, and Sam Moore Furniture, a specialist in upscale occasional chairs, settees, sofas and sectional seating with an emphasis on cover-to-frame customization.