J. KENT FLUMMERFELT

Flummerfelt is now a business consultant in Boston after serving as president and chief executive officer of Nordic Track, the exercise equipment manufacturing company since 1994.

He is the son of Mavorette McGinnis Flummerfelt of Vincennes and the late Ross Flummerfelt. His wife, Jane, is the daughter of Jean Rutledge and the late H. Wallace Rutledge. He has two sons, Mark and Tom.

Flummerfelt earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from DePauw University before spending four years in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of captain. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1969 from Indiana University, then joined Sears Roebuck and Co. as a management trainee. He spent 19 years with Sears, serving as president and chief executive officer of Sears General Trading Co., and national merchandise manager for kitchen appliances and consumer electronics. Flummerfelt then joined Lechmere Inc., of Woburn, Mass., electronics, housewares, and sporting goods retailer, as executive vice-president for marketing. He eventually purchased an interest in the company when its parent, Dayton-Hudson, divested itself of Lechmere in 1989. He was named president and chief executive officer in 1992. In 1994, the company was sold to Montgomery Ward and Co. and Flummerfelt joined Nordic Tract as chief operating officer. He was promoted to president and CEO a month later, and became instrumental in new product market strategies and introductions.

In August, 1996, after restructuring the company to improve productivity, efficiency and product quality, Flummerfelt left Nordic Track to return to Boston and begin his consulting services.

Flummerfelt served as chairman of the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, a director of the National Retail Federation, a director of the North Suburban Chamber of Commerce and the United Way.

He was president of his junior class at Lincoln, captain of the basketball team and played football under the direction of Coach Ray Mills.

Distinguished Alumni 1996

Class of 1959