GREENVILLE, SC -- Cesar Pagan has joined 828 International Trading as director of styling and design, according to Jim Clardy, president.

Pagan will be responsible for developing new  rug designs in hand-knotted, hand-tufted and machine-made qualities.

Pagan was formerly vice president of styling and design for Karastan.  His career spans more than 40 years, embracing both residential and commercial sectors of the soft flooring category.

He was with Karastan for over 10 years, where he  initiated all aspects of rug design from concept to completion.

Pagan retired from Karastan in 2002.  An accomplish fine artist, Pagan has been teaching  at the Spartanburg Art Museum.

"I've enjoyed my retirement and really had no intention of returning to the floor covering industry,€VbCrLf he said.  "However, it is hard to ignore 828 International. I have watched them grow into a leading-edge company with the resources to create an incredible range of products. When the opportunity to join them presented itself, I couldn't resist.€VbCrLf

"I have always been impressed with Pagan's designs,€VbCrLf said Clardy. "His work has an aesthetic sense of style and beauty that few in this industry can match. More importantly, Pagan shares our vision and understands our business.€VbCrLf