— Furniture Today,
LAS VEGAS — Former Broyhill, Maitland-Smith and Universal executive Harvey Dondero has joined the


World Market Center here as CEO, a new position for the showroom building developer and operator.

Other WMC executives, including Gerry Smith, chief operating officer, and Dave Palmer, managing director, will retain their current duties and will report to Dondero.

Jack Kashani and Shawn Samson, founders and co-managing partners of the growing showroom building complex, said in a statement that “the time is right to pass the baton to a new leader who will execute our vision as the founders and partners. Harvey’s many years as an exhibitor and buyer give him a unique insight as to how we can make our markets more friendly and meaningful.”

The partners announced the hiring of Dondero today, at the same time they broke ground on the third of the complex’s planned eight buildings.

Dondero, a 32-year industry veteran, is returning to the city where he was born and raised. He also is joining his daughter, Carolyn Dondero, on the WMC staff. She is marketing and advertising director.

Harvey Dondero resigned in June as CEO of Broyhill, a post he held for 14 months. Earlier, he had been president and CEO at Universal for six years and at Maitland-Smith for five years. He started his career with Wedgwood.

In a statement, Dondero said he hoped to make the WMC a truly international market for the home furnishings industry.

“World Market Center presents an entirely new platform to address the new dynamics of the industry in the 21st century. The industry’s landscape has changed dramatically in the last couple of decades and buyers and manufacturers need an entirely new, more productive and efficient platform,” he said.

At a press conference today, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman called Dondero “a perfect choice” for the job.

“The role and commitment of the Dondero family in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada is an outstanding one,” Goodman said. “Harvey was the first person I called five years ago when World Market Center was first being discussed and I know his knowledge and experience will take the project to even greater heights.”