MARTINSVILLE, VA - Hooker Furniture announced that Art Raymond will leave his post as senior vice president-Casegoods Operations effective Jan. 31, 2013. That is the end date of his employment agreement with the residential furniture manufacturer, which he joined in 2010.

“Hooker has been very fortunate to have someone of Art’s caliber in this key role over the last three years,” Chairman and CEO Paul B. Toms Jr. said in a statement. “As we had hoped when we brought Art on board, he has successfully groomed the next generation of operations leaders, led our transition to a new sourcing footprint in Asia, and greatly improved our forecasting, logistics and supply chain operations. We are forever grateful for his selfless contributions,” he said.

A longtime consultant to the furniture industry, Hooker said that Raymond is expected to continue in a consulting role with the company as it expands its product line and distribution channels.

Hooker Furniture is reportedly ranked among the nation's top 10 largest publicly traded furniture companies based on 2011 shipments to U.S. retailers. Headquartered in Martinsville, VA, the 88-year-old Hooker Furniture offers wood, metal and upholstered residential and home office furniture. The corporation's brands also include Bradington-Young LLC and Sam Moore Furniture LLC.