ATLANTA—AmericasMart veteran Chas Sydney, who has led the AmericasMart Atlanta area rug franchise and its predecessors for more than three decades, retires from his position as senior vice president today, according to Jeffrey Portman, Sr., president and chief operating officer of AmericasMart Atlanta and its AMC, Inc. parent entity.
Sydney’s retirement coincides with the conclusion of the July 2011 Atlanta International Area Rug Market and Atlanta International Gift & Home Furnishings Market and marks the completion of a successful 31-year tenure in which he led the area rug business through a succession of advances.
“We were a very different company in 1980 when Chas first signed on. And we are a much better company today because of his incredible sales skills, his customer service commitment and his long, hard work over these last three decades,” Portman said. “We would not be in the rug business today, let alone be the nation’s number-one area rug marketplace, if it were not for Chas Sydney,” he added.
“When you truly love what you do, how hard you work or how long you work doesn’t matter,” Sydney said. “What matters is what you’ve accomplished, the differences you’ve made and what you leave. I want to thank AMC and the Portman family for giving me the opportunity to do my best for many years. It’s been a great run.”
Sydney leaves an area rug product center well positioned for continuing growth with more than more than 350,000 square feet of space on floors three through six in AmericasMart Building One. Kevin Malkiewicz, AmericasMart’s newest vice president, assumes all Area Rug Center leasing and management responsibilities at Sydney’s departure. Mike Turnbull, senior vice president for strategic relations, will continue in his role as area rug industry liaison with chief responsibility for sustaining the Oriental Rug Importers Association (ORIA)—AmericasMart Atlanta alliance.
“Kevin has helped lead our area rug and home furnishings business for more than 12 years. He is well prepared for this role and will undoubtedly reinforce AmericasMart’s commitment to the Oriental Rug Importers Association (ORIA), the rug business at AMC and the continued unparalleled customer service to the area rug industry,” noted Sydney.
Going forward, Sydney will work as consultant on a variety of initiatives. In his retirement, he will spend time with his family and pursue the projects and hobbies he now enjoys.