— Furniture Today,
Leard named merchandising/network manager

MONTREAL — Buying group and retail veteran Earle Leard has been named merchandising and network manager in furniture and bedding for Ontario, Western Canada and the Atlantic provinces at Cantrex Group.

Also, Paul Allems has been named manager for Cantrex banner Furniture Plus, and Claudette Stivens appointed business development manager for British Columbia. In addition, John Kennedy will assume a new role as merchandising manager for Western Canada.

Leard most recently was director of business development for Allied Home Furnishing Network, and previously worked for 20 years at retailer Colonial Furniture. At Cantrex, he is responsible for merchandising and procurement of furniture and mattresses, as well as for network development, working with managers of Mattress World, Furniture Plus, Club Advantage and Club 3000.

Leard reports to Pierre Vezina, national general manager of the furniture, appliance and bedding division, and is based in Cantrex’s Toronto office.

Allems was director of operations for Interhome Furniture, a Toronto-area retailer, and has worked at Ashley Furniture and Cannonball BedShop. He reports to Leard.

Stivens was a business adviser working in Cantrex’s Expert Retail Service division. She will be responsible for supporting existing members and recruiting new members, and reports to Jim Mahoney, merchandising manager/appliances.

A Cantrex veteran, Kennedy previously served as business development manager for British Columbia. In his new post, he will be responsible for furniture merchandising and the development of import programs for members in the Western provinces, and will implement custom flier marketing programs for large-volume stores. He reports to Leard.