Cone Hires 'Babe Ruth' of Industry: Tom Finneran
December 12, 2000
Tupelo, MS (USA) — Industry veteran Tom Finneran has been named senior vice president of Cone Decorative Fabrics, reporting to Burt Kaplan, president in New York.
They have known each other for 30 years since Finneran was at Joan Fabrics Corp. under the Ansin family (well before its purchase by current Joan chairman Elkin McCallum).
Kaplan said that Finneran is the No. 2 man in his company today. Kaplan himself joined the company as president in April, 2000.
For the past two years, Finneran was vice president, sales and marketing at Joan Fabrics and Main Street Textiles in Tyngsboro, MA, where he reported to Elkin McCallum. Finneran began working out of Cone's New York City offices late in the summer. He had been in Massachusetts.
Prior to rejoining Joan two years ago, Finneran spent 15 years with Quaker. Previous to that he worked for 15 years at Joan. He will bring to his post at Cone a vast knowledge of the furniture industry, including many contacts.
"In 1918 the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees who went on to win six world championships. In Tom Finneran, I feel I've got the Babe Ruth of this industry to work for Cone," said Kaplan.
"This is about personality and brain power and Tom has both. It's nice when you can work with your friends. Finneran is sharing our vision of what Cone can do. This company is being reenergized."
Elsewhere at Cone, Gary Stein, vice president of sales, stayed at his post and reports to Finneran. Stein is responsible for sales to decorative jobbers and retailers. Kaplan said that additional administrative responsibilities would be given to Stein as the business grows.
Finneran's two sons, Thomas ("Chip") A. Finneran and Brendan Finneran have left Joan and joined Cone. Brendan is joining Cone in a sales capacity but his complete role is yet to be determined. He graduated Brown University two years ago where he was named All-East Ivy League in American football.
Chip, who had worked in the Joan sales offices in High Point, NC, began working in the new Cone sales office there, which services the furniture industry.
Cone had previously used John Leagon & Associates as its representative to the furniture industry. This arrangement will be discontinued now that Finneran is on board.
"This is Cone's first major sales move putting in a full-time, 100 percent sales effort with the furniture industry in the Southeast," said Kaplan. "In today's competitive market, we must have 100% of our salesmen's attention. "The furniture industry is alive and well. You have to pick your spot. Not everyone has to make promotional goods.
They have known each other for 30 years since Finneran was at Joan Fabrics Corp. under the Ansin family (well before its purchase by current Joan chairman Elkin McCallum).
Kaplan said that Finneran is the No. 2 man in his company today. Kaplan himself joined the company as president in April, 2000.
For the past two years, Finneran was vice president, sales and marketing at Joan Fabrics and Main Street Textiles in Tyngsboro, MA, where he reported to Elkin McCallum. Finneran began working out of Cone's New York City offices late in the summer. He had been in Massachusetts.
Prior to rejoining Joan two years ago, Finneran spent 15 years with Quaker. Previous to that he worked for 15 years at Joan. He will bring to his post at Cone a vast knowledge of the furniture industry, including many contacts.
"In 1918 the Red Sox traded Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees who went on to win six world championships. In Tom Finneran, I feel I've got the Babe Ruth of this industry to work for Cone," said Kaplan.
"This is about personality and brain power and Tom has both. It's nice when you can work with your friends. Finneran is sharing our vision of what Cone can do. This company is being reenergized."
Elsewhere at Cone, Gary Stein, vice president of sales, stayed at his post and reports to Finneran. Stein is responsible for sales to decorative jobbers and retailers. Kaplan said that additional administrative responsibilities would be given to Stein as the business grows.
Finneran's two sons, Thomas ("Chip") A. Finneran and Brendan Finneran have left Joan and joined Cone. Brendan is joining Cone in a sales capacity but his complete role is yet to be determined. He graduated Brown University two years ago where he was named All-East Ivy League in American football.
Chip, who had worked in the Joan sales offices in High Point, NC, began working in the new Cone sales office there, which services the furniture industry.
Cone had previously used John Leagon & Associates as its representative to the furniture industry. This arrangement will be discontinued now that Finneran is on board.
"This is Cone's first major sales move putting in a full-time, 100 percent sales effort with the furniture industry in the Southeast," said Kaplan. "In today's competitive market, we must have 100% of our salesmen's attention. "The furniture industry is alive and well. You have to pick your spot. Not everyone has to make promotional goods.
