Global upholstery manufacturer La-Z-Boy Incorporated has announced that its Board of Directors has approved two changes as part of the Board’s periodic evaluation of its leadership structure.

Melinda Whittington, La-Z-Boy Incorporated President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of its Board, has been elected to serve additionally as Chair of the Board. Meanwhile, Michael Lawton, who has served as Chair of the Board since May 2022, will return to his previous position of independent Lead Director.

“Melinda is an exceptional and highly respected leader, and the Board believes that her decisive leadership will continue to drive long-term, sustainable value for all stakeholders. I look forward to continuing to work closely with her in her elevated leadership role,” Michael Lawton commented.

“I have confidence that Melinda’s strategic vision and insistence on operational excellence, combined with Mike’s thoughtful and experienced leadership, position our Board to provide ongoing, effective support and oversight,” said Janet Kerr, Chair of the Nominating and Governance Committee.

Whittington has served as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of its Board of Directors since 2021. She joined La-Z-Boy Incorporated as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, a role she held for three years prior to her appointment as CEO. Previously, Whittington was the Chief Financial Officer of Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, as well as the Senior Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer for Kraft Foods Group, Inc. (now The Kraft Heinz Company). Earlier in her career she spent 20 years with The Procter and Gamble Company in finance roles of increasing responsibility. Whittington also currently serves on the Board of Directors of Best Buy Co., Inc.

Lawton, who has been a director since 2013, has served as the company’s non-executive Chair of the Board since 2022. Prior to becoming Chair, he was the independent Lead Director beginning in 2021. Mr. Lawton retired from Domino’s Pizza, Inc., where he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and previously held various management roles, including interim Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President of International. Before this, Lawton was Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Gerber Products Company, now a subsidiary of Nestle S.A. He also serves currently on the Board of Directors and as the Chair of the Audit Committee for Universal Corporation.