Brown Jordan Inc. a U.S. designer, manufacturer and marketer of luxury home, outdoor and upscale contract furnishings, has named Bernie Guerin as Chief Financial Officer of Brown Jordan Inc. and Kris Yates as Chief Commercial Officer, a newly created position.
In assuming this role, Guerin is charged with overseeing the company’s finances and directing a path toward increased revenue and long-term profitability. Additionally, he manages a top-notch team that aligns two segments – Outdoor Living and Contract Furnishings – as well as the six individual brands comprised in the Brown Jordan Inc. portfolio--Brown Jordan, Tropitone, Castelle, Charter, Texacraft and Winston.
“Bernie is a solid addition to our team of executive leadership,” said Gene J. Moriarty, President and Chief Executive Officer. “His varied and extensive c-level background at start up, bio-tech, packaged goods and consumer-facing brands bodes confidence in his knowledge and capabilities for helping us to achieve our goals.”
Prior to Brown Jordan, Guerin was COO and CFO at Clean Earth, a privately-owned environmental services and waste management solutions provider. Previously, he held senior-level finance positions at Constar International, Aventis Behring, LLC, and Scott Paper, boasting a 30+ year track record of continuous and improved financial and business performance in multiple fast-paced settings.
Guerin has a Master’s in Finance from The University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business and an undergraduate degree in Accounting from Drexel University.
Yates will report directly to Gene J. Moriarty, the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
Based on the West Coast, Yates will oversee direction for all Brown Jordan Inc. Outdoor Living brands, including Brown Jordan, Tropitone, Castelle, Texacraft and Winston. Working in tandem with senior leadership and relying on her proven ability, Yates will implement solutions and go-to-market strategy for the Outdoor Brands and assume responsibility for growing revenue and increasing market share. Further, she will direct sales and customer service leadership and corporate marketing for all brands.
“It is with great pleasure that I welcome Kris Yates into the company,” said Gene J. Moriarty, President and Chief Executive Officer. “With her 20+ year industry expertise in leading initiatives and managing sales, marketing and product development and a team of 300+ as well as forging relationships with stakeholders, distributors, and end-users, we are happy to have her join Brown Jordan.”
Yates assumes this role after an 18-year tenure with HNI Corporation where she held executive management positions in various divisions. Most recently, as President of Allsteel Inc. and also of the Gunlocke Company, she successfully aligned two brands and doubled profitability, while also expanding accounts and implementing a new sales structure.
Yates has a B.A in Interior Design from the Illinois Institute of Art and professional certification in Finance from the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.
