To many Whirlpool Corporation trade partners, Sam Abdelnour has been the virtual face of the Benton Harbor-based appliance giant for years. He has been one of the most dedicated employees to hit the ranks of the executive suite at “the big house,” and now he’s retiring after 40 years of service to the company.
As Vice President of North American Sales for Whirlpool, Sam’s shoes will be extremely difficult to fill, but David Cichocki will give it his best shot having been name as Abdelnour’s successor. Cichocki is currently General Manager of Key Accounts, and he will shadow Sam from now through October in the transition process.
For Sam’s part, he’ll be the first to say, “I’ve been blessed with an amazing 40-year career at the best company in the world.” He adds, “I’ve come full-circle, having had the privilege to lead the U.S. sales team for the past 14 years, and I can’t say enough about the people I’ve been surrounded by during this time. We have a sales force that’s second to none.” It’s that fact that gives him the confidence “to pass the baton to the next generation.”
During Abdelnour’s tenure, Whirlpool grew from the fourth-largest appliance manufacturer in the world to the largest. He launched Whirlpool Corporation’s “Real Whirled” sales training program, which — to date — has transformed more than 600 employees into the best-trained appliance salespeople for the company. Many of those salespeople have been honored for their excellence at the annual Winner’s Circle Sales Competition event, another of Abdelnour’s signature development programs.
Joe Liotine is head of North America for Whirlpool. He says, “Sam’s commitment to Whirlpool goes well beyond years of service.” He adds, “He has shown a relentless drive to succeed by developing his people, forging deep relationships with our customers, managing through an ever-changing, complex retail environment, and championing our brands with the trade. If there ever was an icon of the appliance industry, it’s Sam Abdelnour. I wish him all the best in his well-deserved retirement.”
Abdelnour joined Whirlpool in 1978 at the age of 23 as a sales account manager based in California. He then had successful stints in category marketing and merchandising before returning home to the U.S. sales organization in 1996.
Sam says, “I’m excited about the next chapter in my life, especially to spend more time with my family, which now includes two grandsons.”
Sam has also played many a major role in the community of Michigan’s Great Southwest, most recently in his notable role as General Chairman of the 2018 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at the Golf Club at Harbor Shores.
Originally from Detroit, Sam has been dedicated to many charitable efforts both locally and across the nation including Habitat for Humanity, the Boys & Girls Clubs of both Benton Harbor and America, the OutCenter and with his wife, Anna, who helms the Blossomtime Festival as President of that organization.
Abdelnour received B.S. degree from Eastern Michigan University.
