Kimball Hospitality Announces New Officer; Kourtney Smith Appointed President

August 12, 2015 | By Business Wire News

JASPER, Ind.

Kimball International, Inc. (NASDAQ: KBAL) today announced the promotion and appointment of Kourtney Smith to the position of President for Kimball Hospitality. Smith will assume responsibility for the entire Kimball Hospitality organization, including strategic direction, goals, growth and driving shareowner value.

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Kourtney Smith, President, Kimball Hospitality (Photo: Business Wire)

Don Van Winkle, Kimball International President and Chief Operating Officer, announced the appointment, stating, “I’ve worked with Kourtney for many years and have always been impressed with her vision, leadership, decision making and ability to drive meaningful transformation. She brings energy, enthusiasm and passion to everything she leads.”

Commenting on the new position, Smith said, “I’m incredibly excited and honored to have the opportunity to lead the talented Kimball Hospitality team. The industry is strong and we are well poised for continued growth. I look forward to leveraging our core strengths and further building this dynamic brand.”

Smith brings 25 years of experience in the office and hospitality industries. Her customer centric leadership, proven ability to assess the needs and trends of markets, ability to develop talent and drive results are key attributes as we enhance our position as the most sought after furniture brand in the hospitality industry.

During her career, Smith has held roles of increasing responsibility in marketing, product development, sales and service. She has been the consistent force behind the evolution of National Office Furniture. Most recently she served as Vice President of Marketing for National leading product development, marketing, sustainability, vertical markets, increasing brand awareness in the architect and design community, and sales development in the EMEA.

Kimball International Chairman and CEO, Bob Schneider stated, “With Kourtney’s proven leadership skills and exceptional record of growing and developing talent within Kimball International, I am confident she will be very successful leading our Kimball Hospitality brand. I am always encouraged by the succession planning of Kimball, which provides so many opportunities for team members. It is one of many reasons Kimball International has been designated as a Great Place To Work®”.

Smith holds the distinction of being a Kellogg Executive Scholar of Professional Achievement in Marketing and Sales Management. She has continued her personal and professional development through a variety of programs and involvement in industry associations. She and her husband Phil and their family reside in Jasper, Indiana.

About Kimball Hospitality

Kimball Hospitality is the leader in providing hospitality furniture solutions. We pride ourselves on our award winning product development. Our project management experience is unparalleled. Our technical furniture design and construction expertise has been proven. We also possess multinational manufacturing capabilities, a state of the art quality system and global logistics reach.

Kimball Hospitality offers a product and service package second to none in the hospitality furniture industry. We have supplied several hundred thousand guest rooms since 1985 ranging from the local inn to some of the most famous hotels in the world. We work with top designers and developers to create furniture which extends the unique ambiance of their property into the guest room. We deal with the most recognized hotel brands to meet their specific requirements for properties throughout the world. We also provide our own designed product. Kimball Hospitality has the expertise and capabilities to respond to your individual requirements. After listening to the needs of our clients, Kimball Hospitality works with our worldwide manufacturing base and recommends the best resource or group of resources to fulfill your project.

About Kimball International, Inc.

Kimball International, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of design driven, technology savvy, high quality furnishings sold under the Company’s family of brands: National, Kimball Office and Kimball Hospitality. Our diverse portfolio provides solutions for the workplace, learning, healing and hospitality environments. Customers can access our products globally through a variety of distribution channels. Recognized with a reputation for excellence as a trustworthy company and recognized with the Great Place to Work® designation, Kimball International is committed to a high performance culture with a foundation of sound ethics, continuous improvement and social responsibility. To learn more about Kimball International, Inc. (KBAL) visit www.kimball.com.

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