by Kerry Lebensburger, the longtime Ashley executive responsible for a multitude of initiatives that helped propel the company into the largest home furnishings resource in the world, is retiring after three decades of service to the manufacturer and retail giant.
Lebensburger first joined Ashley in 1993 as vice president of the company’s case goods division. Two years later, he led the charge to help the company expand into stationary and motion furniture. This led the executive to develop the $1 billion-plus bestselling Darcy upholstery collection, a move that propelled the company in what has developed as a major growth area for the business.
Two years later, he was named president of the upholstery division and held this role until 2005. That year, the company promoted him to president, North American sales, marketing and merchandising.
Over the past several years before being named president of sales for the U.S. and Canada last July, he was the company’s chief revenue officer and vice president of business development.
“Kerry has worked at Ashley for almost 30 years, and we’ve had an unbelievably great relationship,” Chairman Ron Wanek told Home News Now. “We’ve grown the company together, and he has been a great contributor and a dear friend of mine. So not only does it relate to business, but you also have a great friendship. I think the world of Kerry and (his wife) Judi.”
Wanek said that Lebensburger has been involved in about every aspect of the business over the years, including sales and marketing, as well as “participating in design, education and training. Obviously he has been in a leadership role for all of about 30 years. … He has really been in there for the long haul and we appreciate everything he has done.”
Ashley President and CEO Todd Wanek also shared the following comment on Lebensburger’s retirement: “Kerry retired after 30 years with our company. We as a company are proud of all the contributions both Kerry and Judi made in their time with us.”
Lebensburger was not immediately available for comment. However, Home News Now will update this story as more details about his retirement become available.
Kerry Retiring…No way! it seems like only yesterday (actually more then 35 years)you and Art Brodsky came to see me “threatening me to buy Stratford Recliners at FEDCO while I was remerchanising the ailing discount retailer. Lots of friendly pressure and arm twisting. Little did Arthur and you know I had already put an exclusive Straolounger program together that would soon become an 5-8000 chairs a year success. I followed your move to Ashley and praised your ability to keep things moving ahead and accomplishing so many big things for Ron all those years. Be well my friend and best wishes for a great retirement. You are too talented to actually stop and I’m sure you will resurrect somewhere again soon. Mazal Tov. Larry Crink
Kerry is one of the great guys in the industry. We met at Stratford and I have followed his career ever since. Enjoy your retirement