In his new role, Carroll will over marketing and communications to include planning, advertising, public relations, social media and a full suite of creative services.

Joe Carroll.

"I have known Karen for more than 20 years and am impressed by her industry knowledge, business structure and communications skills," he continued.

"Joe brings unmatched relationships in our industry and a passion for putting together a creative marketing mix," company chief executive officer Karen McNeill-Harris added.

McNeill Communications has specialized in home furnishings for more than 20 years.

Carroll recently retired after 33 years with Furniture/Today, where he developed several sister publications, its daily e-mail news service and helped organize a global home furnishings publications group, the International Alliance of Furnishings Publications.

He has shared his knowledge of the industry through speeches, television appearances and a newspaper column. He is also an occasional contributor to Home Goods Online.

The author of four tabletop books on furniture design, Carroll has received the IHFRA Pillar of the Industry and City of Hope Spirit of Life awards, and was inducted into the American Furniture Foundation Hall of Fame last year. He was recently awarded an honorary doctorate degree from Kendall College of Art & Design in Grand Rapids.

Carroll first entered the home furnishings field with advertising agency J. P. Hogan in 1969.

In addition, he has served as president of the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation and its Legacy Board, and as chairman of the High Point University Home Furnishings Advisory Board. He serves on the boards of the High Point Chamber of Commerce, and the String & Splinter Club, and is a member of Greensboro's "100 Club" of progressive leaders. He also is active in the Furnitureland Rotary Club and as a fundraiser for the Newcomer's School, a magnet school for immigrant children in Guilford County.