FurnishNet Names Home Furnishings Veteran
Barb Downey Chief Industry Analyst
Nov. 30, 2000

SAN DIEGO - In an effort to help the home furnishings industry recognize the benefits of electronic commerce, FurnishNet, an open trading exchange for the home furnishings industry, today announced that Barb Downey has been named to the new position of Chief Industry Analyst.

A 24-year industry veteran, Downey joins the multi-disciplined FurnishNet team dedicated to designing, building, and maintaining an Internet-based business-to-business (B2B) exchange.

As Chief Industry Analyst, Downey will leverage her industry experience to lead business development efforts with retailers and manufacturers. She will also participate in business process definition, manage the FurnishNet Industry Advisory Board efforts with retailers, and author return-on-investment (ROI) models and white papers to further educate the home furnishings industry about the features and benefits of an open trade exchange.

During her 24 years in the retail home furnishings industry, Downey held leadership roles in merchandising, marketing, buying, merchandise planning and systems administration for Top 100 Companies. She comes to FurnishNet from The Bedroom Superstore in Phoenix, where she served as Vice President of Merchandising. Downey has also held various management positions with HomeLife and Sears, Roebuck & Company where she worked for more than 20 years.

About FurnishNet
The FurnishNet Exchange, a technology solutions provider, is dedicated to delivering an open exchange platform serving the Home Furnishings industry. Acquired by GERS earlier this year, FurnishNet is pioneering an industrial-strength trade exchange, with services designed to support and streamline the Home Furnishings industry. .