— Furniture Today,
Leibold to direct global sourcing; Gross is executive operations director

NORWALK, Ohio — Custom upholstery specialist Norwalk Furniture has promoted company veterans Bev Leibold to director of global sourcing and Jeff Gross to executive director of operations.


Leibold has held such Norwalk posts as purchasing agent, and fabric and leather inventory manager. She worked 21 years in purchasing and procurement with Fannie Farmer candy before joining Norwalk nine years ago. Leibold succeeds Joyce Dinehart, who left the company. 

Gross previously was on the company’s production development team.

Both report to Norwalk President Rick McKirahan.

Gross, who joined Norwalk 18 years ago, will oversee operations, including manufacturing, product development and engineering, as well as the warehouse and other facilities, focusing on improving and coordinating operations, product design and quality.

He has an extensive background in upholstery, sewing, cutting, process improvement, new product development and design, as well as branding. Prior to his promotion, Gross served as upholstery team leader, cutting team leader, J. Raymond team leader, process engineer and director of product development.