Valborg Linn leaves Park B. Smith

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 4/2/2002 12:00:00 AM

New York — After 10 "wonderful" years, Valborg Linn has left Park B. Smith Ltd. to pursue other opportunities, she told Home Textiles Today.

"I haven't found anything specific as of yet, but I'm actively looking," said Linn, who was most recently the company's director of design and merchandising. "I'm exploring several different opportunities in textiles. I want to stay in the industry. I believe it's my expertise, after working the past 10 years at Park B. Smith for all of its design."

Park B. Smith Jr., president and ceo, described Linn as "very instrumental" in the company's growth over the years.

"She brought our design department to a new level, and we will miss her," Smith told HTT.

Linn joined Park B. Smith Ltd. in 1992 as manager of the design department. In 1997, she was promoted to director of design and merchandising, a position she held until March 25. In her last post, she was involved in the product development, packaging and merchandising for goods in all of the company's categories - bedding, window coverings, kitchen textiles, table linens, rugs and bath products, most of which are imported from India, China and Mexico. Working closely with her design staff of seven people as well as Park B. Smith Sr., Linn is in part responsible for the execution of many of the company's most recognized offerings, including its Eco-Ordinates line and the Park B. Smith signature line.

For six years prior to her stint at Park B. Smith Ltd., Linn was a design professor at Parsons School of Design in New York.

Smith said Linn's old post is open "and we're looking to replace her."