Fort Lee, NJ – May 13, 2009 - - Adding another key player to its executive sales staff, Couristan has appointed Andrew Kuehnel to the position of Western Regional Manager for its Residential Division.  Reporting directly to Steve Codella, Couristan’s Senior Vice President of Sales, Kuehnel will be responsible for the strategic development of all residential broadloom and area rug accounts located west of the Mississippi.

“The Couristan brand has an amazing reputation that I am proud to now represent,” commented Kuehnel. “In becoming more familiar with the organization and its entire range of high-quality products, I am most impressed with the commitment to excellence illustrated in every aspect of this dynamic business.”

Leading a seasoned team of Residential Territory Managers located across more than 25 states, Kuehnel’s primary direction will be to expand the company’s dealer network, enhance brand awareness for its products, promote dealer participation in various advertising and promotional opportunities and increase in-store placement for Couristan’s exclusive broadloom, roll runner and area rug fixtures. Working with his staff to serve a variety of customers, from national accounts to specialty home goods stores and professional designers, Kuehnel will also assist in devising customized product assortments that feature Couristan’s versatile array of handmade and power-loomed area rugs as well as its extensive residential broadloom collections.

“Andy’s creative leadership skills and unique experiences as a floorcovering sales executive will bring tremendous value to his new role with Couristan,” stated Steve Codella, Senior Vice President of Sales, Eastern United States. “I’m confident that with Andy as our Western Regional Manager Couristan will be able to fully maximize our growth opportunities while providing added support to our existing customer base.”

A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Kuehnel began his career in the telecommunications field before transitioning into the floorcovering industry. He joined Fabrica Fine Carpet & Rugs in 1995 as Residential Territory Manager and spent 14 years with the company holding various other senior sales positions. Most recently, Kuehnel spearheaded sales efforts for Fabrica’s national and western regional accounts where he was responsible for increasing market share and profitability for the company.

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.