Gabriella White Announces Appointments to Top Leadership Positions

Furniture World News Desk on 8/11/2021

Gabriella White, LLC, parent company to Summer Classics and Gabby recently announces the formation of an Advisory Board of Directors. Bew White, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, will lead as Executive Chairman of the Board. William White will transition to the role of Chief Executive Officer and Greg Goetcheus will assume the role of President. This announcement comes as the company begins to implement its succession initiatives outlined in its three-year strategic plan.  

“These changes will allow Bew to focus on working with the outside expertise of the newly formed advisory board and will ensure sustainability of the business as we work toward continued growth and making our long-term vision a reality,” said William White. In his new position of Chief Executive Officer, William will have responsibility for the vision of the company and providing strategic thinking and creative ideas to achieve the long-term goals. He will report directly to Bew, and will work closely with the President, who is responsible for executing the business plan and implementing the business solutions. William founded Gabby, the indoor division, in 2009 and has served as President of Gabriella White, where he has added structure while creating a culture of innovation. Under William’s leadership, both Gabby and Summer Classics, have enhanced their leadership team and have strategically broadened their brand presence and improved operations with the implementation of a holistic operating system in 2016.

As Executive Chairman of the Board, Bew White will continue to play an active role in shaping Gabriella White’s current and future business. “The Advisory Board of Directors and I have created a strong succession plan,” stated Bew, “and I am thrilled to see William succeed me as CEO. He is perfectly placed to build on the strong trajectory of growth across the Gabriella White brands, and he has the skills required to lead the company into the next phases of expansion.” Bew White is this year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the International Casual Furnishings Association. This annual award recognizes outstanding accomplishments and achievements over many years in the outdoor furniture industry, and is a demonstration of Bew’s leadership in reinventing outdoor furniture.

Greg Goetcheus moves to the role of President following his successful leadership as Executive Vice President, Business Development. Goetcheus joined Gabriella White in 2017 following a career with fast-growing entrepreneurial companies and retail giant, The Home Depot. 

The seven members of the newly formed board will meet twice a year and oversee Gabriella White’s short- and long-term vision as it continues to invest in the growth of the Summer Classics and Gabby brands. The members of the board include James B. Hardy, Jr. (President at Maker & Son furniture), HR Harvey (past President at Frontgate and Grandin Road), Alex Morton (Executive Vice President & Birmingham Market President at First Horizon Bank), John Byrd Norris, V (Managing Director, Wealth & Investments at Oakworth Capital Bank), Jim Rotch (Of Counsel, Corporate Securities and Tax, Maynard Cooper) and Joni Vanderslice (Founder, President & Designer at J. Banks Design Group).

Recently, Gabriella White has strengthened its brands with a multi-channel investment strategy, including to-the-trade showroom expansions in High Point, Dallas, and Atlanta, as well as new retail showrooms in Dallas, Austin, and Houston. In addition to brick and mortar the company has also spent time strengthening its e-commerce portfolio with the launch of SummerClassicsHome.com and continues to build on a robust offering of outdoor and indoor products and services for the contract market focusing on four key segments including; Hospitality, Senior Living, Multi-Family, and Country Clubs. 

About Gabriella White, LLC

Gabriella White is a family-owned company and premier innovator, manufacturer and retailer of fine indoor and outdoor furniture since 1978. The family of companies includes Summer Classics, Gabby and Wendy Jane. By year end 2021 Gabriella White will have 20 retail showrooms in its portfolio, across 11 states. Building on its years of expertise designing product for the outdoors, the company aims to create timeliness designs that also withstand the rigors of life, that customers will embrace for years. Life's Best Moments. Furnished.™