LAS VEGAS -- Harvey Dondero has been named chief executive of the World Market Center, effective immediately.

Dondero, a 32-year veteran of the home furnishings industry,  has held leadership roles in many facets of the business, including furniture, decorative accessories, lighting, flooring tabletop and gifts.

Before joining World Market Center, Dondero resided in Greensboro, N.C., where he served as chief executive officer of Broyhill Furniture Industries, a subsidiary of Furniture Brands International, one of America's  largest home furnishings manufacturers.

Beginning in 1999, Dondero was also president and chief executive officer of Universal Furniture International, Inc. which was purchased by Lacquer Craft.

From 1994 to 1999, Dondero served as president and chief executive officer of Maitland-Smith Ltd., a high-end importer of fine furniture and accessories, with manufacturing facilities located in Asia.

Before coming to the furniture industry, Dondero was involved in tabletop and giftware as senior vice president of international marketing for Brown Forman Corporation, responsible for the brands Lenox, Dansk, Kirk Steiff, Gorham and Hartmann. Prior to this, he was president of Waterford Wedgwood Australia and held various executive positions in Wedgwood USA. Dondero began his career in home furnishings 32 years ago with Wedgwood Corp.

World Market Center Managing Partners Jack Kashani and Shawn Samson in conjunction with The Related Companies' principals, Ron Wackrow and Marty Burger, commented on the importance of Dondero's joining World Market Center.

"We are extremely pleased to appoint Dondero  as  CEO. This is a significant milestone not only for the benefit of World Market Center but also for the benefit of the industry we serve," noted Jack Kashani and Shawn Samson, managing partners of World Market Center.

" Having spent the last few years putting together the best team and talents for all aspects of World Market Center and Las Vegas Market, including leasing, marketing, operations, trade show management, construction and financing, the time is right to enlist a new team leader who will execute our vision as the founders and partners,€VbCrLf added  Kashani and Samson.

 "Dondero's many years as an exhibitor and buyer give him a unique insight as to how we can further enhance our Market for the benefit of the industry," they said.

 "This is a total paradigm shift,€VbCrLf said Dondero, commenting on the vision of the World Market Center.
Dondero added that,  with the World Market Center team, he is committed to making the vision of an international market for the home furnishings industry in the United States a reality. "I saw this opportunity as a way for me to make the greatest impact on the industry and be a facilitator of change,€VbCrLf he said.

"World Market Center will become more than a market place.  It will become the key to linking and empowering the creative, manufacturing, marketing, buying and selling processes. The opportunity is to put all of these pieces together and make this industry, which represent more than $100 billion in annual consumer spending, more robust and efficient.€VbCrLf

Dondero will report to the board of directors of World Market Center, comprised of Jack Kashani and Shawn Samson as the original founders, along with Ron Wackrow and Marty Burger from The Related Companies,  partner in charge of construction and financing since 2004.

 The next Las Vegas Market will be held January 29 to February 2, 2007 at World Market Center and Pavilions, and January 30 to  February 2 at Cashman Center.
 

9.29.06