Springs shuffles deck with Gaffney, Shealy

By Marvin Lazaro -- Home Textiles Today, 6/18/2001 12:00:00 AM

FORT MILL, SC —

The roles of Tom Gaffney and Torrence Shealy within Springs Industries have shifted as the company consolidates its marketing and merchandising divisions.

Gaffney has been named senior vp/president, marketing and merchandising, while Shealy has assumed the mantle of senior vp, quality assurance. Gaffney originally fulfilled the role of senior vp, merchandising, while Shealy was senior vp of marketing. Both men will assume their new duties immediately and both will continue to be based here. Shealy will now report directly to Crandall Bowles, ceo/chairwoman. He had reported to Tom O'Connor, executive vp.

"Other than safety, quality assurance is the single most important thing in our organization," O'Connor told Home Textiles Today about Shealy. "It's a very important function which demands credibility and an understanding of the market. Torrence is, by far, the best candidate for the job."

O'Connor said that all of Springs' quality organization will now be managed from one place, instead of the former practice where each plant was responsible for its own quality.

In his new role, Gaffney will now direct the combined resources of the marketing and merchandising departments, further strengthening Springs' account-based focus. Nancy Webster and Leslie Gillock will continue to work with Gaffney in their roles as vp, creative development, bed and bath division, and vp, brand management, respectively.

Also announced by Springs was the retirement of Bob McCabe, vp, bedding merchandising, and the subsequent promotion of Harvey Simon.

McCabe was employed by Springs for almost three decades. Simon joined the company in 1993 and had worked for many divisions, including retail stores as well as sales and marketing.