New York, N.Y.--Philip H. Kowalczyk will join The Robert Allen Group as president and CEO, and as a member of the Board as of November 1.

Jeff Cordover, formerly CEO, will become the non-executive chairman of the board of the company. The previous non-executive chairman was his father, Ron Cordover who is no longer involved with Robert Allen on a day to day basis.

Kowalczyk’s appointment follows within 90 days of the departure of Greg Tarver, the previous president of Robert Allen Group who left and shortly thereafter became president and CEO of Covington Fabrics & Design LLC, the converter. His resignation followed the emergence of Altamont Group as the majority investor in Robert Allen Group just as its investment was increased July 14.

Altamount, like Kowalczyk is an outsider with little or no experience in the fabric jobbing business. In the past few years, sales of Robert Allen Group have declined to the point where it is either two or three in sales of fabrics behind Kravet in the USA. 

Kowalczyk has over 25 years of business experience with a background in retailing, brand management and management consulting but no experience in the home furnishings fabric business. His most recent position was president of The Body Shop, a bath and body retailer in the Americas (USA, Canada, Mexico).   

The Robert Allen Group is one of the three largest U.S. jobbers of decorative fabrics and furnishings to the interior design trade. The company sells its products under the Beacon Hill, Robert Allen, Robert Allen Contract and Robert Allen @ Home brands.  The company has showroom locations throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and a worldwide agent showroom network.