Storey Kenworthy | Workspace, Iowa’s largest family-owned office products and furnishings dealership, has announced a leadership transition as part of a future succession plan.
The Des Moines company, whose statewide locations include Davenport, said in a news release Thursday, Feb. 1, that Ryan Boyington has been promoted to company president and is overseeing all day-to-day operations. The change became effective Jan. 1.
The announcement was made to the company’s employees earlier this month by John Kenworthy, the current CEO of Storey Kenworthy. The leadership change is a first step in the succession plan for filling the role of Mr. Kenworthy. He approaches retirement in the coming years, the release said.
“This change is being made from a position of strength and stability, and we know it will continue under Ryan’s leadership,” said Mr. Kenworthy. He has more than 30 years with the company and is the third generation to lead the organization.
“Like many other companies, we have some key individuals approaching retirement age, so it has been a priority to develop a thoughtful, deliberate transition plan as part of the natural progression of our company,” he said in the release.
Mr. Boyington, who first joined Storey Kenworthy | Workspace in 2014, is excited about the opportunity and what it means for the future of the well-known, family-owned business.
Company well positioned
“My various roles over the last 10 years, with both Storey Kenworthy and Workspace, have provided me valuable insights and experience regarding our company and the clients we serve,” he said in the release. “We have a great team in place, we are well positioned for future growth, and we have a tremendous amount of brand equity in our marketplace, so I am excited about the path forward.”
Mr. Boyington thanked Mr. Kenworthy and the family “for their trust in me as I step into this important role. I am both grateful and humbled by the opportunity and look forward to shaping the future with our team.”
Founded in 1936 in Des Moines by Arthur Kenworthy and Charles Storey, Storey Kenworthy | Workspace has grown into a statewide company with more than 180 employees in eight locations. They are Des Moines, Urbandale, Ames, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, Hiawatha/Cedar Rapids, Coralville/Iowa City and Davenport.
4th generation leadership
The Kenworthy family has remained a part of the company since its founding. Mr. Boyington, who is the son-in-law of former CEO Dave Kenworthy, represents the fourth generation of the family to lead the company as either president or CEO.
John Kenworthy, who will remain CEO, added he “will focus my time and energy on overall strategy and growth, while also providing Ryan with whatever guidance and assistance he needs in his new role as president.” Mr. Kenworthy has led the company since 2011.
“I am excited to support Ryan in his new role, and I look forward to the opportunity to focus even more time on helping lay the foundation and groundwork for our company’s future success,” he said.
For more information, visit www.storeykenworthy.com or www.workspaceinc.net.
