La-Z-Boy Residential Promotes Kimberly Roussey To VP of Sales Services

Furniture World News

La-Z-Boy Residential has promoted Kimberly (Kim) Roussey to the newly created position of vice president of sales services as the company integrates its support for consumers, sales representatives and dealers under one charge. Roussey’s appointment follows more than 25 years with the company in various roles, most recently as the director of sales administration. In her new role, Roussey will develop and lead a best-in-class support organization that provides effective support, communication and accountability to consumers, dealers, sales representatives and the internal sales and marketing organization. She maintains responsibility for sales administration, research and analysis, national account services and production planning. Roussey will gain responsibility for product warranties, part fulfillment, repair, consumer services, sales systems, sales education and product liability. Roussey will report to Steve Matlock, senior vice president of sales and marketing. “Kim’s accomplishments and contributions to La-Z-Boy over the past 25 years speak to her invaluable knowledge of the company, attention to detail and focus on exceptional service,” said Matlock. “Kim will undoubtedly provide the strategic direction and vision necessary to help our sales support team provide exceptional services to our valued retail partners and end consumers.” Roussey will supervise a team of 70 in Monroe, Mich., which includes Michele Barron, manager of production planning; Steve Latondress, manager of sales administration; Bobbi Nadeau, manager of national accounts; Janet Booth, manager of service operations and Beth Mayes, manager of service systems. She will also supervise Tony James, manager of west service center in Tremonton, Utah; Randy Newell, manager of east service center in Dayton, Tenn.; and an additional 70 employees at both service centers. “La-Z-Boy is known for its quality products and exceptional service,” said Roussey. “Throughout my career I have strived to improve the systems, services and communication at La-Z-Boy to strengthen this reputation. As I take the lead of the sales services department, it is my goal to further integrate our processes and bring an even higher level of service to our customers, dealers and sales representatives.” Roussey joined the company in 1980 as a special products clerk. Over the years, Roussey gained experience and knowledge of La-Z-Boy and the industry through various roles in the I.T., sales and customer service departments. She was named manager of corporate network services in 1999 and then director of customer services in 2001. She pioneered many of the company’s I.T. advancements, including leading the charge to bring personal computers to the desks of La-Z-Boy, deploying Local Area Networks to all La-Z-Boy Incorporated companies and implementing Electronic Data Interchange transmission throughout the company. As director of customer service, she helped to strengthen the company’s reputation of quality by co-leading the development and implementation of a communication process for sales representatives and dealers to provide product quality feedback to La-Z-Boy. Roussey was promoted to her current position of director of sales administration in 2004. She has been recognized with the Al Droege Memorial Rep Appreciation Award, an honor given by the La-Z-Boy field sales force to a team member exhibiting a commitment to excellence and passion for the company. Roussey graduated from Siena Heights University in Adrian, Mich., with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is a member of Women in the Home Furnishings Industry Today (WithIt), an active member of St. Michael’s Church and School, and has represented La-Z-Boy as a board member of the Monroe County Opportunities Program since 2003. Roussey acknowledges the support of her two children, Philip, 17, and Chelsea, 14, as integral to her success at La-Z-Boy. The three live in Monroe, Mich. About La-Z-Boy Headquartered in Monroe, Mich., La-Z-Boy is North America’s largest manufacturer of upholstered furniture and the world’s leading producer of reclining chairs. The company manufactures a full line of products for the living room and family room, including the company’s world-famous recliners, reclining sofas and loveseats, sleep sofas, modular furniture and leather upholstery, as well as stationary sofas, love seats and chairs. It is a division of La-Z-Boy Incorporated, one of the nation’s largest furniture manufacturers and marketers.