Cwirko out as Mohawk shuffles sales

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 3/10/2003 12:00:00 AM

SUGAR VALLEY, GA —

Mohawk Home is restructuring its national sales force following the departure of national accounts vp Kathleen Cwirko after barely a year in that post.

The company said last week that Theresa Riley, has been named to replace Cwirko. Riley has been named Southwest business manager, a move that also reflects a realignment of titles. Most recently, Riley was regional vp, sales for Pillowtex.

Mohawk Home in a statement said that Cwirko left the company to pursue other interests.

Before joining Mohawk Home in May 2002, Cwirko was senior vp of marketing services for WestPoint Stevens. She has more than 20 years experience in the home textiles industry.

Mohawk Home's other new hires include Chris Papa, former divisional merchandise manager of bath for Bed Bath and Beyond, who has been appointed Midwest business manager. Based in Minneapolis, he will focus on working with key accounts based in this region, including Target, Meijer and ShopKo.

Papa replaces David Moyer, who has been promoted to the new position of national sales manager for rugs. Moyer will concentrate on expanding the company's placement and presence at furniture and independent floor covering retail stores — a channel that has proven highly successful for Mohawk Home's upstairs Karastan division. Moyer will continue to be based out of the Atlanta office.

Also promoted was Wayne Norman, who has been appointed business manager for the Home Depot account. He replaces Kelley Moore, who left the company to join Burlington Rug Corp. as its vp of sales and national accounts.

All of these new hires report to Jim Quist, vp of sales, based at Mohawk headquarters.