Kids Today

LaJobi Promotes Robert Rusnack, Brian Hultz
December 15, 2009
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Increased growth led to Hultz's new position

CRANBURY, N.J. – Juvenile furniture designer, manufacturer and distributor, LaJobi, Inc. has promoted Robert J. Rusnack to chief financial officer and Brian Hultz to director of sales and customer service, a new role for Hultz and for the company. They both report to Larry Bovina, president.

Rusnack came to LaJobi in 2005 with more than 18 years of diversified financial experience. He previously served as controller for LaJobi, where he was responsible for all accounting, budgeting and finance operations. In his new role, Rusnack will continue to work with the companies’ parent organization in implementing financial strategies for LaJobi’s five brands of juvenile furniture and related accessories, which include Bonavita, Babi Italia, Europa Baby, Graco and Nursery 101, as well as Serta crib mattresses.

“It is with great pleasure to announce the promotion of Robert J. Rusnack to chief financial officer for LaJobi,” said Bovina. “Robert has been instrumental in helping our company to grow and to make our transition into the Kid Brands, Inc. family very smooth. We are confident that in his new role he will ensure continued growth and profitability for the company.”

From 2000 to 2005, Rusnack served as controller and vice president of finance for Langeveld Bulb Company, one of the world’s leading flower bulb marketers based in Holland. During his tenure, Rusnack was responsible for $80 million in revenue and managing all accounting, budgeting and finance operations, as well as re-structuring company wide corporate insurance programs.

From 1986 to 2000, Rusnack held a range of high-level finance roles with companies such as IKON Office Solutions, a provider of innovative document management systems and services; American Signature commercial printing company; and Airshield International Composites & Subsidiaries.

Hultz started with LaJobi in 2008 with an 18-year proven track record of driving sales in the juvenile furniture industry.

He previously served as national sales manager for LaJobi, where he was responsible for territory sales growth of 18% during his tenure. He also managed 10 independent sales representatives throughout the United States, the customer service department, and was responsible for distributors in Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean.

In his new role, Hultz is responsible for driving all aspects of sales and customer service programs for their five brands of juvenile furniture and related accessories.

“We are very pleased to announce this well-deserved promotion. During his time with LaJobi, Hultz has shown a keen awareness of the industry and its environment,” said Bivona. “With the tremendous growth we’ve experienced over the past three years, now is the time to have a focused leader in sales. We are confident that Brian Hultz will continue to deliver while leading our sales and customer service initiatives moving forward.”

From 2003 to 2008, Hultz served as the director of sales and as the national sales manager of Simplicity, Inc, where he was responsible for sales growth from $12 million to $87 million. Hultz also served various roles at Graco Children’s Products, Inc., from 1990 to 2003, where as national sales manager he was responsible for $17 million in sales.