Joan Gunin
Has worked for company since 1992

HIGH POINT — Joe Mussallem has been promoted to vice president of sales for Natuzzi Americas.

Mussallem, who joined Natuzzi in 1992, was most recently strategic product manager. He replaces John Phillips, who resigned as executive vice president of sales in mid-March.

Regional sales managers Bob DeSantis (East) and Hugh Landes (West) now report to Mussallem.

In an interview at premarket here this week, Mussallem said he recognizes that the industry is changing and he hopes to be a “bridge” between “who we are and who we want to be” in the coming years.

He reports to Fred Starr, president of Natuzzi Americas. “Joe’s ability to work with and support both our sales organization and major retailers in product development and product management has been exceptional,” said Starr. “We are pleased to have Joe assume this new role.”

Mussallem joined Natuzzi Americas in 1992 as a sales representative in northern Illinois and Wisconsin, and later had sales responsibility for Minnesota, Nebraska and Iowa. He was named strategic product manager in January 2002.