Fraley out at Ex-Cell

By Cecile B. Corral -- Home Textiles Today, 7/8/2002 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK —

After spending the last four years as the "No. 2 man," John Fraley last week announced he was resigning from his post as executive vp of Ex-Cell Home Fashions.

Fraley, whose tenure ends July 12, told Home Textiles Today that he made his decision to leave based on his intention to re-evaluate his career.

"My wife and I had long planned that once we got to this point in our careers we would sit back and decide if we wanted to continue doing what we're doing or take a sabbatical and make a change," said Fraley, whose wife is self-employed as an advertising consultant. "And since there are ownership changes coming at Ex-Cell at some point in the future, I thought this was the right time for me to do that."

"It's a thrill to be able to do this," he continued. "And after Labor Day or maybe the first of the year I'll begin looking to get myself gainfully employed again in the home textiles industry or in other related areas, like housewares or consulting or licensing. I don't know yet."

Barry Leonard, president, Ex-Cell, told Home Textiles Today that for the time being the company will not look to replace Fraley.

He said Fraley has expressed his plans to leave the company in April upon Leonard's arrival to Ex-Cell as the company's new president, replacing Sam Samelson.

"This was part of John's long-term plan to assess his personal and professional priorities at this point in his career. He felt the timing of a management change and the imminent ownership change at Ex-Cell was the logical time to do this," Leonard added.

Prior to joining Ex-Cell in 1998, Fraley held senior management positions at WestPoint Stevens and numerous posts at Fieldcrest Cannon.

Fraley said for the immediate future he will spend some time in North Carolina and then focus on his long-term career plans in both home textiles and other related areas.