Furniture Today,
TUPELO, Miss. — Lyle Harris has been named president of promotional upholstery manufacturer American Furniture Co., a position formerly held by Mike Thomas.


Thomas, the company’s CEO, said the promotion was in recognition of Harris’ contributions to the company’s “phenomenal growth over the past two years,” according to a company release. Harris was previously vice president of sales and marketing and will retain those duties.

Under the duo’s leadership, the company has experienced growth in production and sales, the release said. Revenue through August 2013 is up 16% over revenue from the same period in 2012, the company said.

Thomas and Harris are part of the investment group led by Hunt Private Equity Group and Hampshire Equity Partners that purchased the company two years ago from Gerald Washington and Connecticut-based Clearview Capital.

“As the vice president of sales and marketing, Lyle has increased our business with existing clients as well as obtaining a number of new accounts,” said Thomas. “He also has been instrumental in the development of new styles and products that enable our retailers to provide their customers with high quality furniture at reasonable prices. As a result, we have increased our production capacity at the plant and are planning for even more growth through the end of the year,” Thomas said.

Matt Harrison, chairman of American, said the promotion is a way to recognize the enormous efforts Harris has made on behalf of the company.

Harris has nearly 20 years of sales and marketing experience, primarily in the furniture industry. Before joining American, he was national sales manager for Franklin Corp.