Fort Lee, NJ – September 14, 2009 - - Adding another industry expert to its Hospitality Concepts sales staff, Couristan has appointed Sarita Stewart to the position of Contract Specialist where she will be responsible for developing business and managing custom contract projects within the New York City/Tri-State area.

“Couristan has a long-standing reputation within the hospitality and gaming sectors particularly as the ultimate source for exquisite quality products, innovative design and full-service client support,” commented Stewart. “I am greatly looking forward to becoming a productive member of this top-notch team and serving Couristan’s wide-ranging clients in the metropolitan New York region.”

As a Contract Specialist representing the Couristan brand, Stewart will spearhead efforts to secure additional business with key specifiers, owners and management companies across the hotel, gaming, convention center and large public space sectors. She will oversee all aspects of project management, assisting contract accounts with design and color trend expertise, developing specifications, preparing budgets, creating installation timelines, coordinating shipments and conducting post-installation inspections.

A graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, Stewart began her career in New York as a Junior Designer for BBG-BBGM where she contributed to design projects for several international hospitality clients. Later working as a designer for top-rated Dallas-based design firms, including Wilson & Associates, she developed a respected status within the industry creating and managing custom design installations for upscale resorts such as the Atlantis Dubai as well as boutique hotels like The Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas.  An NCIDQ-licensed Interior Designer, Stewart founded her own business in 2006 and was most recently a Sales and Design Consultant for Brinton’s Carpets based in the southwest region of England.

“We are glad to have Sarita on board and see many potential opportunities for her to help strengthen Couristan’s Hospitality Concepts Division with exclusive Manhattan-based contract clients,” stated George Couri, Chairman of Couristan, Inc. “I’m confident that with her diverse experience we will make strides within this elite market.”

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.