Fort Lee, NJ – October 5, 2009 - - As part of a long-term growth plan for its custom contract business, Couristan has appointed Paul Clynch to the newly created position of Director, Commercial Sales and Marketing for the company’s Hospitality Concepts Division. In this new role, Clynch will report directly to Couristan’s Chairman, George Couri, and will oversee the division’s national sales team and creative design staff. A 25-year industry veteran, Clynch has top-level international experience having held senior positions with several leading companies in the premium hospitality, gaming, cruise and large public space floorcovering sectors.

“I am excited to be joining a company which has such strong fundamentals across its brand; including a cutting-edge manufacturing base and an industry-leading reputation for product quality, customer service and design excellence,” commented Clynch. “Over the past several years, Couristan has revolutionized operations within its custom contract division, establishing a seamless distribution network and building a dynamic product portfolio that offers significant growth potential. As part of this highly-motivated team, I look forward to aggressively pursuing opportunities within existing markets and driving expansion into new markets and sectors.”

Focusing business development efforts on a domestic and global scale, Clynch will oversee a seasoned team of Contract Specialists and Contract Designers and work with other members of senior management to set a strategic direction for Couristan’s contract division. Collaborating with the in-house Advertising and Marketing staff, one of Clynch’s first initiatives will be to update and revitalize brand communications efforts targeted to a wide range of current and potential new clients.

“Paul has a strong understanding of our corporate vision and possesses the creativity and skill required to propel Couristan’s elite contract business toward the next level of growth and success,” stated Couri. “He has a proven ability to assess markets, implement winning sales and marketing plans and secure relationships with a prestigious array of customers.  I know he will become a valued asset to Couristan, assisting me and the rest of my senior executive team in achieving the high-level goals we’ve set for the future of the company.”

Originally from Ireland, Clynch grew up in the carpet business and started his career at Navan Carpets LTD as a Technical Sales Manager liaising between sales and operations for their custom commercial projects. In 1986, he relocated to the United States and assumed a sales and management position with a Manhattan-based commercial carpet dealership. Over the past 20 years, Clynch has held several senior sales and marketing titles and was most recently a member of the global commercial executive team for Brintons LTD.

Established by the Couri family in 1926, Couristan is the trusted name in the floorcovering industry, offering a vast assortment of exclusively designed power-loomed and handmade area rugs, as well as quality residential broadloom. Couristan is also known throughout the industry as the pioneer in new construction and color techniques, which are used to create exquisitely designed area rugs and residential broadloom products that are crafted from all over the world. Couristan products are available through department stores, home furnishings catalogs, specialty floorcovering and furniture retail stores. Couristan’s global headquarters with full showroom is located in Fort Lee, New Jersey, at Two Executive Drive, 800.223.6186, or visit our website at www.couristan.com.