The board of directors at US furniture retailer La-Z-Boy Incorporated has elected James Johnston as chairman of the board for a one-year term.

Mr Johnston has been a director of the board since 1991 and served as both chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee and as a member of the Audit Committee. He succeeds Patrick Norton, who retired after serving as chairman since 1997 and as a board member since 1981. Mr Norton will become chairman emeritus.