San Francisco-based furnishings merchant Design Within Reach has named Ray Brunner CEO. Formerly the cataloger/retailer’s executive vice president of real estate, Brunner replaces Tara Poseley, who resigned as CEO/president.
“We asked Ray to lead Design Within Reach’s financial turnaround,” chairman John Hansen said in a statement. He is familiar with DWR’s business, and we believe he can make the tough decisions necessary to cut costs and return the Company to profitability and positive cash flow.” In fact, the company warned that its loss for the fiscal first quarter of 2006 will be steeper than anticipated.
Wanda Gierhart, executive vice president of marketing and merchandising, resigned as well. Her position will not be filled; vice president of merchandising Michelle Carrara will handle her merchandising duties.