Brooke Chase Associates Recruits COO for Wellborn Cabinet
January 2, 2023 – Chairman and CEO Joseph McElmeel, Richard Mohrman, and Gina Felicita of Sarasota, FL-based executive recruiter Brooke Chase Associates have placed Richard Farr as chief operating officer for Wellborn Cabinet in Ashland, AL. “We are excited to have a person with Richard Farr’s experience and cultural fit join our company,” said Paul Wellborn, the company’s president and CEO. “The family and I look forward to Richard’s experience and expertise in guiding and growing the Wellborn brand.”
With an extensive background in operations and manufacturing in the cabinetry and wood products industries, Mr. Farr was most recently senior vice president of operations with Pace Industries. Prior to that, he held executive positions with Masterbrand Cabinets, Norcraft Companies, National Office Furniture, and Industrial Woodkraft.
At Wellborn Cabinet, Mr. Farr will have total P&L responsibility for all aspects of the management and operational performance, leading growth and expansion of the company. He will be tasked with developing and executing strategies for sales, marketing, and operations plans, while building open communication and teamwork with the senior management team, and throughout the company.
A well-established, vertically integrated manufacturer of semi-custom cabinetry, Wellborn Cabinetcame from humble beginnings in the early 1960s to become the kitchen and bath cabinet manufacturer it is today. The company has 1,207 employees and an annual revenue of $308.6 million, according to Zippia.
Since it started in 1980, Brooke Chase Associates has grown into an international boutique retained executive search firm. It specializes in the identification, recruitment, evaluation, and placement of building materials, kitchen and bath, plumbing, and HVAC professionals. The firm has additional offices in Chicago and Knoxville, TN.
Extensive Client List
Mr. McElmeel has served as CEO since he founded Brooke Chase Associates and is responsible for developing and maintaining the vision and direction of the company. He seeks business opportunities and strategic alliances with other companies and organizations and oversees marketing, production, research, recruitment, finance, and client development.
Related: Brooke Chase Associates Recruits HR Leader for Wellborn Cabinet
Mr. McElmeel has recruited for such companies as: Jacuzzi Whirlpool Bath, Jacuzzi Spas, Jacuzzi Singapore, Black & Decker, Ryobi, Jacobs Chuck, Rinnai, HydroSystems, Danaher, Norcraft, Masco (MAS), Interlake Steel, H.D. Hudson, Valspar, Price Pfizer, Moen, Intellihot, Kohler, ACPI, Canyon Creek Cabinet Company, Forte Group, Fabuwood, John Wieland Homes, Kentucky Trailer, Hansgrohe, Wellborn Cabinets, Cal Door, Sussman Automatic, CNC Cabinets, Bath & Kitchen Buying Group, Cohen Communications, Timberland Cabinets, Reliance World Wide, McLain Fogg Corp. and Mr. Steam. Mr. McElmeel’s involvement in the recruiting industry and community is extensive, having served as four-term chairman of the National Association of Executive Recruiters Inc., managing director of the Executives Recruiters Roundtable, and chairman of the professional committee of the Executives Club of Chicago.
Mr. Mohrman has been with Brooke Chase since 2005 and is responsible for developing and managing client relations, conducting executive searches, and leading internal projects to improve Brooke Chase processes and infrastructure. He has recruited in a wide variety of product categories, with a primary focus on cabinetry and wood products. Mr. Mohrman has recruited for such companies as: ACPI, Cal Door, Canyon Creek Cabinets, Clarion Industries, ECMD, Franke, Jacuzzi Luxury Bath, Kentucky Trailer, Norcraft, MJB Wood Group, Wellborn Forest Products, and many others.
Brooke Chase Associates Recruits HR Leader for Wellborn Cabinet
Brooke Chase Associates has helped place Lisa Mahon as director of human resources for Wellborn Cabinet in Ashland, AL. Richard Mohrman led the assignment. With extensive experience in human resource management, Ms. Mahon most recently served as senior human resources manager – manufacturing with H-E-B. Prior to that, she held positions of increasing scope and responsibility with Snyder’s-Lance in plant and regional human resources leadership. Ms. Mahon is certified in human resources management from Villanova University.
Ms. Felicita is Brooke Chase’s newest recruiter associate, providing support to its executive recruiters with search assignments. Prior to joining Brooke Chase, she served as COO of American Medical Seminars, a firm specializing in continuing medical education. During her 26-year tenure she was closely involved in all aspects of the company including recruiting, onboarding, training, accreditation, marketing, business development, and ultimately provided support in the acquisition of the company while leading the three-year transition to new ownership.
“For over 39 years, Brooke Chase Associates’ retained executive search services have helped companies build powerful world class organizations. We focus on finding the best fit to create a long-term solution,” said Mr. McElmeel. “We know the players in kitchen cabinets, plumbing, HVAC, and related industries.”
Related: Brooke Chase Associates Recruits VP of HR for Zamma Corporation
Contributed by Scott A. Scanlon, Editor-in-Chief; Dale M. Zupsansky, Managing Editor; and Stephen Sawicki, Managing Editor – Hunt Scanlon Media
