O.W. Lee names its top sales reps of 2010

Casual Living Staff -- Casual Living, 10/12/2010 3:53:14 PM

CHICAGO — O.W. Lee announces that both Ron Ball and Dennis Thurmer were honored as its Salesmen of the Year for 2010.
This special presentation was made during a Sales Meeting Dinner at the International Casual Furniture & Accessories Market in Chicago.

From left, Dennis Thurmer, Ron Ball and Thurmer's sub-rep Ed Joseph with Terri Lee Rogers.Thurmer has been selling O.W. Lee since 1977 and has successfully developed O.W. Lee in eastern and western Canada, Washington, Idaho and Oregon. Thurmer's experience and reputation has been a contributing factor to O.W. Lee's growth in the Northwest.

Ball has been selling O.W. Lee since 2005 and has successfully developed O.W. Lee in Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Georgia, Texas and Oklahoma. Ball was also the recipient of the casual industry's Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2010 Apollo Awards.

A video montage was shown with a variety of friends and colleges commenting on Ball's honesty and integrity, something he later mentioned as the one thing he hopes people appreciate about him most. His parting words on the video were "It doesn't matter to me how I'm remembered as long as, on Judgment Day, the Lord says, 'Good job.' That's all that matters."

"Ron is a great asset to our industry," said Terri Lee Rogers, co-owner and vice president of sales and marketing for O.W. Lee Co., "Ron's experience in the field and on the manufacturing side has helped our company become stronger and more efficient. He is an asset to O.W. Lee, the retailers he services and to the casual furniture industry overall."

 The Salesman of the Year award is presented each year in recognition of outstanding performance in achievement of sales goals, excellence in customer service and comprehensive support of the management team in sales and marketing strategies. Both Ball and Thurmer are dedicated and service orientated professionals, with a can-do attitude

Additionally, Outdoor Elegance of La Verne, Calif., and Yard Art Patio & Fireplace of Irving, Texas, both won Apollo Awards for sales & merchandising in their respective categories. Outdoor Elegance won its first award for the Single Store category while Yard Art Patio &Fireplace won its second award for the Multiple Store category.

"We are grateful to work with retailers who have strong merchandising abilities and great customer service," Rogers said. "We are very proud of both of them and look forward to continued success with each one."

After O.W. Lee was honored with the Manufacturer of the Year Award for 2010 at the International Casual Furnishings Association's Awards Reception on Sept. 20, Rogers shared credit with her company's sales staff.
"We were very surprised to be awarded Manufacturer of the Year," Rogers said. "Although we had a trying year with demand exceeding supply, we worked very hard to keep our customers updated and informed on their order status."
Founded in 1947 in Pasadena, Calif., O.W. Lee is a leading manufacturer of fine wrought iron and wrought aluminum casual furniture. O.W. Lee manufactures heirloom quality products in Ontario, Calif., and is one of the few remaining companies in the casual furniture industry still manufacturing in the USA.