Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> November 10, 1997
GERALD M. BIRNBACH graduated in 1952 from Boston University with a
Bachelor of Science degree. After graduation, he joined Filene's
Department Store, Boston, Massachusetts in their executive training
program. From there, he went to Northeastern Distributors as a sales
representative in the New England area. Northeastern Distributors sold
and distributed Zenith television products. His next position was with
International Latex Company, manufacturers of playtex products, as a
salesman in the New England area. In 1956 he joined Rowe Furniture
Corporation as a sales representative in New England. In 1964, he became
the general assistant to the Vice President of Merchandising and Sales,
moving to the Arlington, Virginia sales and merchandising offices. In
December 1969, he became the Vice President of Merchandising and Sales,
and a member of the Board of Directors. On February 3, 1972, Mr.
Birnbach was named Vice Chairman of the Board and Executive Vice
President, and in October of the same year, he was named President and
Chief Operating Officer and a member of the Executive Committee. In
September, 1976 he became Chairman of the Board and President, and still
holds that position. Mr. Birnbach resides with his wife of 40 years in
Bethesda, Maryland. He has four grown children and nine grandchildren.
He is a member of Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland, and the
Falls Country Club in Lake Worth, Florida. He is a member of the Board
of Directors of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association. He is
a Mason and is active in the Hebrew Home of greater Washington and the
Jewish Foundation Group Homes. Profile
Mr. Birnbach: They are doing quite well, and it's very interesting
because we're appealing to what we feel a great many stores are not
offering to the consumer
