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Smith System Expands Sales Force to Meet Changing Classroom Furniture Requirements

Addition of regional sales managers provides dealers added resources for accommodating diverse classroom needs

PLANO, TEXAS. (December 6, 2007) – In order to meet the changing furniture needs of students and teachers, Smith System, a 101-year-old classroom furniture manufacturer, has expanded its sales force with the addition of two new regional sales managers. David Stewart will be regional sales manager of the West, and Paul Sternberger will be regional sales manager of the Southeast.

Stewart and Sternberger will work with dealers and the architecture and design community to specify Smith System furniture, and with manufacturer representatives to define new distribution and gain market share within existing distribution.

“The way that students learn has changed dramatically over the last 10 years, which means there is a greater requirement for classroom environments that help meet these needs” said Bill Risdall, vice president of marketing for Smith System. “The furniture sales experience that Stewart and Sternberger bring to the team will be instrumental in helping Smith System meet dealer and customer demand for new classroom environments.”

As regional sales manager of the West, Stewart brings more than 25 years of sales and management experience to Smith System. From his previous positions, Stewart provides Smith System with expertise in providing education products, programs and services coupled with years of sales experience in the office furniture industry.

Prior to working for Smith System, Stewart was territory manager for School Specialty, Inc., where he was responsible for growing all phases of the company’s product offerings. Stewart worked to develop proactive plans and maintain relationships with key contacts while working as director of sales and marketing for Fidlar Software, and held various positions of increasing importance at McLeod USA and Office Machines & Furniture, Inc. Stewart holds a bachelor of science degree from Washington Statue University in Pullman, Wash. Stewart resides in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Skilled at orchestrating proactive account strategies and cultivating new markets in the furniture industry, Sternberger brings more than two decades of experience to Smith System as regional sales manager of the Southeast. Most recently, Sternberger spent three years as national sales manager at OakWood Library Furniture, focusing on product development and marketing of the LL Sams library line and developing of the “Academy” product line.

Sternberger’s additional experience in academic and library furniture sales and distribution includes his time spent as district sales manager of Highsmith Contract Sales Group, regional manager at Teachers Square, Inc., and regional sales manager at Beckley Cardy Group. Sternberger holds a bachelor of science degree and a master’s degree in education, both from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, Okla. Sternberger resides in Trophy Club, Texas.

About Smith System
Founded in 1905, Smith System (www.smithsystem.com) has helped American education evolve by being ready with the right furniture at the right time. An industry leader in school furniture innovation, Smith System is committed to developing products that support the optimum learning environments -- addressing the needs of the student, the demands of the curriculum and the realities of space, maintenance and budget.

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Media Contact:
Bill Risdall
Smith System
972.398.4050
billr@smithsystem.com

Media Contact:
Eva Keiser
Risdall McKinney Public Relations
651.286.6765
eva@risdall.com