HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam — Industry veteran Randy Austin plans to retire in February as president of importer Paul


Maitland-Smith International/Theodore Alexander. He has led the company since early 2004.

Effective Feb. 19, the new president of PMI and general director of Theodore Alexander will be Antony Maitland-Smith, nephew of founder Paul Maitland-Smith, who remains chairman. Paul’s son, Graham Maitland-Smith, is vice chairman.

In a letter to employees, Paul Maitland-Smith praised Austin’s tenure at Theodore Alexander. “On behalf of everyone in the organization, I want to sincerely thank Randy for his valuable contribution to our company over the past three years and wish him all the best for the future,” he wrote.

Until the change occurs, Maitland-Smith said he and Austin “will be working closely together to ensure the transition takes place as smoothly as possible.”

Austin moved to the furniture and accessories importer from Hickory White, where he had been CEO for 12 years. Hickory White is owned by Sherrill, which acquired a minority stake in Paul Maitland International in 2003. Before joining Hickory White, Austin was president of Riverside and Hammary.