World Market Center Names Gerald J. Sawyer Chief Operating Officer

Furniture World Magazine

Project officials announced the appointment of Gerald J. Sawyer to the newly established position of Chief Operating Officer for World Market Center Las Vegas. Sawyer will lead World Market Center’s team and oversee the planning, operations and infrastructure of the $1 billion project. World Market Center is a home furnishings showroom complex under development in Las Vegas; Phase One opens next July. Before joining World Market Center, Sawyer was a Colonel with the United States Air Force where he served as the Base Commander for Nellis Air Force Base. Since 2002, Sawyer led a 5,000-person organization and was responsible for all management, marketing, communications, financial, construction and engineering, contracting, logistics, IT, HR, security services and medical operations. One of the largest military bases in the United States, Nellis is acknowledged as the most important and complex installation in the entire United States Air Force. Nellis is the fourth largest employer in the state of Nevada. In his new position, Sawyer will oversee the senior management team at World Market Center including longtime industry leader Dave Palmer, who will continue to serve as General Manager, a position he has held since 2000. Other senior management directors include Director of Leasing Babs Blair; Director of Marketing & Public Relations Dana Pretner; Director of Market Operations Briana Mackey; and Director of Tenant Improvement Jim Reding. “World Market Center is, without question, one of the most unique business opportunities one could imagine. I am very excited to be a part of a project so revolutionary, both within the community of Las Vegas and for the entire home furnishings industry,” said Sawyer. “The scope of World Market Center can be viewed as building and managing a ‘city within a city,” and I believe my experience is well-suited for this comprehensive and dynamic venture.” Sawyer has spent the last 25 years serving in many high-ranking leadership roles with the United States Air Force, and has received a number of distinctive honors and accolades throughout his impressive career. His successes include two Legion of Merit citations for outstanding organizational leadership and a Bronze Star Medal for creating and directing the nation’s inter-theater/intra-theater airlift hub in Southwest Asia following the tragic events of 9/11 in our nation’s war on terror. In each position held, Sawyer was credited with achieving the highest success rate and award record in that respective organization’s history. Sawyer is an undergraduate of the University of Southern California with a bachelor of science degree in business management. He also has a master of arts in organizational communications from the University of Northern Colorado and a master of science degree in national resource management/strategy from the National Defense University in Washington DC. Co-Managing Partners Jack Kashani and Shawn Samson comment on the addition of Sawyer to World Market Center: “We are truly fortunate that Gerry has joined our team as he possesses extensive experience in leading large, multi-faceted organizations. Gerry’s approach is analytical, creative and results oriented. We believe his vision and leadership style will prove invaluable as we build this project from the ground up and reach new heights as an organization. We have assembled among the most talented individuals to be a part of this Market, and look forward to a successful launch of WMC next July.” World Market Center is an integrated home and hospitality contract furnishings showroom complex being developed on 57 acres in Las Vegas. Eventually spanning 7.5 million square feet when fully developed, the campus is designed to host semi-annual international furniture and accessory markets for members of the trade. Phase One will encompass 1.3 million square feet of permanent showroom space and will showcase furniture, decorative accessories, lighting, area rugs, and related segments, as well as a Design Center open year-round to members of the trade. The first Las Vegas Market will be held July 25-29, 2005.