Baker Furniture, the high-end case goods and upholstery manufacturer, has appointed Russell Towner as president. He arrived at Baker in mid-March, following his role at Theodore Alexander, where he was USA division president, with past experience from executive roles at Henredon and Taracea. He replaces Austin Rothbard, who was president of Baker Furniture from 2012 to 2015, and is now serving as North American president of household and new product development for World Kitchen.
Furniture Today reports that Towner will now oversee Baker’s overall profit and loss performance and growth; establish and oversee the company’s strategic goals; and manage sales, finance, showroom and store presentation, as well as new product development and operations. He reports to Thomas Penner, group president of Kohler Co. Interiors, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kohler Co., who had been serving as acting president prior to Towner’s appointment. (Baker is a division of Kohler Co. Interiors.)
“Russell’s candidacy for this role was enhanced by his strong marketing and sales background,” Penner said, according to Furniture Today. “He has a depth of understanding in luxury furniture development, portfolio optimization, customer programs and managing brand communications.”
