Khoury Furniture announced the addition of Jack L. Gagan as the company’s Vice President of International Sales and Marketing. For over thirty years, Gagan has been at the forefront of home furnishings and home improvement merchandising. “Jack is one of the most innovative members of our industry today. We look forward to the insight, knowledge, and creativity Jack brings to Khoury,” said Khoury Furniture’s President, Dan Khoury.
Gagan comes to Khoury Furniture after three decades with United Consumers Club®/DirectBuy®, where he served as Senior Vice President for Merchandising. UCC/DirectBuy® is the nation’s largest home furnishing and improvement club and design center in the US and Canada. In his role as Senior Vice President, Gagan’s responsibilities were far reaching and touched every aspect of the company’s extensive merchandising programs.
From his earliest days with UCC/DirectBuy®, Gagan was a major force in developing and implementing the innovative go-to-market business model that has led the company to such success. As the chief merchandising executive he has worked with his experienced team of buyers, graphic artists, and administrative support staff to create critical merchandising initiatives: catalog presentations, point-of-purchase displays, packaging, logistics systems, and damage/repair controls, all with great success. One of his signature accomplishments was the development and management of UCC/DirectBuy’s® hugely successful direct mail catalogue Direction that weighed heavily on growth in merchandise sales at the company.
Gagan is also a well-known trade show participant, with deep relationships and extensive product knowledge across twelve consumer product-related industries. He is sought after as a speaker and addresses groups of all sizes at tradeshows and industry events. Khoury Furniture stands to benefit significantly from Gagan’s broad professional network and industry expertise as he ventures on the company’s behalf to events throughout the US.
“With Jack Gagan, Khoury Furniture gains a great communicator, an excellent manager, and a terrific strategist with a proven track record of success,” added Khoury. “Using effective trend analysis, detailed knowledge of consumer buying patterns, and industry research, Gagan has successfully anticipated market dynamics throughout the course of his career. At Khoury Furniture he’ll bring this talent to bear on sales analyses, market forecasts, and financial planning. With his commitment to constant strategic review and reinvention, he has the capacity to ensure that Khoury Furniture continues to grow intelligently as it moves forward.”
Says Gagan, “I am excited to join Khoury Furniture at this moment in its history. Not only is the company committed to excellence across its wide range of product lines, it is also dedicated to environmental responsibility and playing its role in the new green economy.” A leader in environmental consciousness, Khoury Furniture operates its own mill, where it produces SmartWood certified lumber. With this commitment to sustainable lumber, Khoury’s furniture meets or exceeds the guidelines put forward by the Forest Stewardship Council.
Gagan also boasts expansive branding experience, which he can use to enhance Khoury Furniture’s growing identity as a leader in eco-friendly products. At UCC/DirectBuy® he contributed to a new-store development program that re-branded the company’s corporate image. Working with a top-rated consulting firm of his selection, Gagan defined and implemented a host of in-store brand enhancements: fixture development, signage color schemes, and floor-allocation policies. He also identified a company spokesperson, and managed several other key components of the company’s branding efforts.
Gagan also serves as a Board Member at the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association (IHFRA), Midwest Home Furnishings Association Division, where he has received their Presidential Citation. He is also a long-standing member of the Chicago Floorcovering Association. Charitably, he sits on the board of the Chicago Baseball Cancer Charities, Ron Kittle Indiana Sports Charity Division, where he has been honored with their Marv Samuel Award.
“It is an honor to join the Khoury family, and a company that has spent the past sixty plus years making exceptional furniture,” said Gagan. “I think we have a tremendous opportunity at Khoury Furniture to strengthen a proud tradition as we grow our business over the years to come. I thank Dan for the opportunity to join him in the process.”
Khoury Furniture is a family-owned business, based in Iron Mountain, Michigan. Khoury believes in doing common things uncommonly well. The company’s goal is to be a resource and partner for its clientele in making our environment a safe and healthy place to live. The company holds memberships with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Rainforest Alliance, U.S. Green Building Council, Unfinished Furniture Association, Lakes States Lumber Association, National Hardwood Lumber Association, Indiana Hardwood Lumberman’s Association, and Timber Producers Association of MI & WI.
Khoury Furniture offers a complete line of solid wood products which include shaker, traditional, country, and contemporary designs. Not only are its furniture pieces clean and non-allergen promoting, they are an environmentally conscious choice, made from the finest, fully sustainable northern hardwoods. Additionally, all product finishes are natural and water-based, making them safe for children, plant workers, and the environment. All Khoury products are made in America.