Flax Art promotes Howard Flax to CEO and Martin McClanan to president

Online and catalog retailers Flax Art & Design has named Howard Flax as CEO and Martin McClanan as president. McClanan is the former CEO of Red Envelope Inc.

Philip Flax, former president and CEO, will become chairman. Among his duties will be product development and sourcing for the catalog and web site and the company’s San Francisco store.

Howard Flax, who with siblings Craig and Leslie represents the third generation of his family in the business, has worked with the company for 17 years, starting in the warehouse and working up to the most recent position of executive vice president.

McClanan joined Flax in February 2002 to work on business strategy and planning.

Two years ago, Flax bought T. Shipley, sellers of leather accessories, and Reliable Home Office catalogs.