Retires from Master Design
ONTARIO, Calif. — Gene Hodges says he intends to stay active in the industry, even though he has retired as president of case goods and occasional importer Master Design.

Hodges left the company last week. He had led Master Design since returning to the company in 2004, and earlier served as president and CEO from 1999 to 2002.

Chester Lee, president of Test Rite USA, part of Master Design’s Taiwan-based parent company Test Rite Products, will lead Master Design for now.

“We appreciate the tremendous efforts and the contribution Gene has made to the company over the years,” said Lee. “He is well respected in the industry and has always been highly regarded at Test Rite. We wish him good fortune and continued success in the future.”

Before returning to Master Design in 2004, Hodges had been president and CEO of importer Asia Link. Before first joining Master Design in 1999, he worked in various posts at Magnussen Presidential, now Magnussen Home Furnishings, leaving as executive vice president of sales.