Stair takes over sales and marketing

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 12/22/2003 12:00:00 AM

GRIFFIN, GA —

Fashion Industries recently appointed Debbie Stair as its new sales and marketing manager for its area, accent and bath rug division.

She replaces James Saleh, who left the company to start his own rug company.

Stair most recently worked in a similar capacity at the now-defunct Pillowtex.

She reports to Al Whiten, svp.

"I've known Debbie many years and we've talked in the past about having her come work for us. It's just that the timing was never right until now," Whiten told HTT. "I have tremendous respect for her and know she will turn around our rug business."

Stair's appointment is part of Fashion Industries' new strategy to revamp its three-year-old rug division, with emphasis on indoor/outdoor rugs, chromajet scatter sizes and bath rug offerings — all of which are imported from China, India and Egypt.

Stair is currently in the process of hiring a crew of independent sales representatives to serve the company's target rug customers — specialty and department stores.