Finneran Leaves Joan; Joins Cone as Kaplan's Number 2
August 15, 2000
Tupelo, Miss. — Industry veteran Tom Finneran has been named senior vice president of Cone Decorative Fabrics, reporting to Burt Kaplan president in New York.
The pair has known each other for 30 years since Finneran was at Joan Fabrics Corp. under the Ansin family ownership, well before its purchase by current Joan chairman Elkin McCallum.
Kaplan stressed that Finneran is the No. 2 man in his company today. Kaplan himself joined the company as president in April, 2000.
He confirmed the details with Sipco.net during the opening day of the Tupelo Furniture Fair in Mississippi 15 August, Finneran's first day on the new job.
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 will be moving from Massachusetts to the New York City offices of Cone in his new position.
Prior to rejoining Joan two years ago, Finneran had spent 15 years with Quaker. Previous to that he had 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."
Kaplan confirmed that Cone Decorative Fabrics vice president of sales Gary Stein will continue in his post and will report to Finneran. Stein is responsible for sales to decorative jobbers and retailers. Kaplan also said that additional administrative responsibilities would be given to Stein as the business grows. "Gary has an important job with Cone," Kaplan added.
Finneran's two sons, Thomas A. ("Chip") Finneran and Brendan Finneran are also leaving Joan to join Cone. Brendan Finneran 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, will begin 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. We're carving out a niche in better goods. We have a clear focus of who we want to be. There's enough room for everyone in this business," he said.
The pair has known each other for 30 years since Finneran was at Joan Fabrics Corp. under the Ansin family ownership, well before its purchase by current Joan chairman Elkin McCallum.
Kaplan stressed that Finneran is the No. 2 man in his company today. Kaplan himself joined the company as president in April, 2000.
He confirmed the details with Sipco.net during the opening day of the Tupelo Furniture Fair in Mississippi 15 August, Finneran's first day on the new job.
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 will be moving from Massachusetts to the New York City offices of Cone in his new position.
Prior to rejoining Joan two years ago, Finneran had spent 15 years with Quaker. Previous to that he had 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."
Kaplan confirmed that Cone Decorative Fabrics vice president of sales Gary Stein will continue in his post and will report to Finneran. Stein is responsible for sales to decorative jobbers and retailers. Kaplan also said that additional administrative responsibilities would be given to Stein as the business grows. "Gary has an important job with Cone," Kaplan added.
Finneran's two sons, Thomas A. ("Chip") Finneran and Brendan Finneran are also leaving Joan to join Cone. Brendan Finneran 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, will begin 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. We're carving out a niche in better goods. We have a clear focus of who we want to be. There's enough room for everyone in this business," he said.
