by Wolf, Miles and Bautista promoted to SVPs
ATLANTA — Havertys promoted Steve Burdette to president of the
Top 100 company effective March 1 and elevated three other leaders to senior vice president posts, further strengthening and developing its leadership team.
Burdette, 59, will succeed Clarence Smith who continues as chairman and CEO. Currently executive vice president, operations, Burdette has more than 37 years with the Atlanta-based trailer and has held responsibilities for all aspects of the stores, distribution operations, merchandising, supply chain, and marketing.
He started as a manager trainee in Tampa, Fla., and held progressively more challenging roles in four other Havertys markets. Burdette joined the corporate management team in 1993 and was appointed vice president, merchandising in 1994 and vice president, operations in 2002. He was elected senior vice president, operations in 2003, executive vice president, stores in 2008, and to his current position in 2017.
“Steve has deep knowledge of the industry and embodies Havertys’ culture and values, and I am pleased to welcome him to this new role,” Smith said in a statement. He noted how Burdette has touched “virtually every aspect of our business over his career and is a passionate and driven leader.
“His knowledge and skills were never more evident than during this past year of incredible challenges,” he said, crediting Burdette for successfully managing the restarting of our operations and helping “lead Havertys to its strongest quarter in history.”
Burdette will continue to report to Smith, as will the company’s chief financial officer, chief information officer, general counsel, executive vice president of merchandising, and chief human relations officer.
In additon, the board promoted Rhonda Wolf senior vice president, merchandising. Wolf, a 35-year Havertys veteran, is responsible for upholstery and other categories which drive over half of the company’s sales. She manages the product offerings, vendor selection, and profitability of the categories, and, “The higher quality custom upholstery products developed by Wolf are an important part of Havertys’ increased average ticket and in-home designer business,” the company said. Wolf will continue to report to John Gill, executive vice president, merchandising.
Scott Miles was named senior vice president, stores. he joined the retailer in 2002 and has served in several roles and differing responsibilities including market area manager, vice president, stores and development, and oversight of the supply chain team.
Miles currently leads several key initiatives and functions including online chat, in-home design teams, and training for store team members. he will continue to report to Burdette and retain his responsibilities as western region manager.
Helen Bautista wss named senior vice president, marketing. She joined Havertys in 2019 with more than 20 years of experience leading and implementing marketing and advertising strategies and plans. Her focus is on marketing integration, brand management, digital marketing, and analytics. She will report to Burdette.
“We are fortunate to have such knowledgeable individuals in these diverse and critical functions of our business,” Smith said. “The experience, stability, and depth of our team are competitive advantages. The appointment of these key leaders is an important step in Havertys’ future growth.”
The board also declared a cash dividend to be paid on the outstanding shares of the two classes of $1 par value common stock at a rate of 22 cents per share on the common stock and 20 cents per share on the Class A stock. The dividend is payable March 25 to stockholders of record March 12.
Havertys operates 120 midpriced stores in 16 Southern and Midwestern states.
