Sales Representative James "Jimmy" Borstein Honored for Professionalism, Leadership and Integrity

Furniture World Magazine

For only the fifth time in 18 years, La-Z-Boy announced that it has presented the prestigious E. M. Knabusch Memorial Award. The nation’s leading manufacturer of upholstered furniture recognized sales representative James “Jimmy” Borstein with the award, which was named for Knabusch, a La-Z-Boy founder. The E.M. Knabusch Memorial Award is considered the pinnacle of career achievement for La-Z-Boy sales representatives, and is awarded based on exemplary professional service as well as personal characteristics, including dedication, enthusiasm and leadership. Since the award’s inception in 1989, it has been given only five times. “The E.M. Knabusch Memorial Award is the highest sales honor in our organization,” said Steve Matlock, senior vice president of sales and marketing for La-Z-Boy. “I’m proud to honor Jimmy with this award not only for his success in sales, but also for his professionalism and history as a trustworthy leader with tremendous integrity. Jimmy is constantly challenging the status quo, and he also is the first to embrace our collective decisions and execute them at retail.” “I am so grateful for this recognition and want to thank everyone I have worked with at La-Z-Boy over the past 18 years for their help, support and guidance,” said Borstein. When accepting the award, Borstein expressed his thanks to La-Z-Boy chairman emeritus Patrick H. Norton, current partner Steve Futer, office manager Evelyn Capaldi and the La-Z-Boy management team. He also offered special thanks to his wife Christie and sons Aaron and Drew. Borstein joined La-Z-Boy in 1990 from a position at Burris Industries, a La-Z-Boy subsidiary. As a sales rep for the Philadelphia and New Jersey region, Borstein has successfully opened eight New Generation La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® stores and is the lead representative for the Boscov’s department store chain and a number of major independent furniture dealers. He has served on the company’s Representative and Leadership Council for 15 years and is a four-time inductee in the La-Z-Boy Summit Club for his outstanding achievement in sales. Borstein won the overall Summit Club Award in 1997. About La-Z-Boy: Headquartered in Monroe, Mich., La-Z-Boy is North America’s largest manufacturer of upholstered furniture and a leading producer of reclining chairs. The company manufactures a full line of comfortable products for the living room and family room, including the company’s world-famous recliners, reclining sofas and love seats, 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.