The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. announces the nominees for election into the American Furniture Hall of Fame for 2009.
“Distinctive leadership, vision and dedicated service characterize this year’s six nominees,” says Donald Belgrad, president of the Foundation. “Each of these individuals, nominated by their peers, has made a positive, lasting impact on the home furnishings industry.”
The slate of nominees was selected from nominations by the Foundation members. To make a nomination, members submitted a biography of the nominee including detailed information about professional achievements, personal standards and civic involvement.
Each nomination was then seconded in writing by another Foundation member. The voting period begins July 1 and ends August 15. Only members of the organization are eligible to nominate, second and vote.
The six nominees are:
Nominated
2009 |
Manuel Cappo
Manuel Capó (b 1925), has grown his family business, El Dorado Furniture, into one of the top 50 of more than 35,000 furniture stores in the United States. As chief executive officer, he has led the charge in exceptional customer service, targeting ethnic markets, offering same-day delivery, promoting the store as a brand and giving back to the community and industry. All seven of Mr. Capó’s sons work side-by-side with him, along with 10 of his 20 grandchildren.
|
Nominated
2009 |
Joseph F. Carroll
Joseph F. Carroll (b 1939), publisher of Furniture/Today, has guided the publication into becoming the furniture and mattress industry’s news leader and definitive source of industry statistics. He was instrumental in developing several sister publications, as well as a daily e-mail news service. He helped organize and chaired the International Alliance of Furnishings Publications, which exchanges valuable industry information. He also is the author of four successful books on home furnishings design.
|
Nominated
2009 |
M. Farooq Kathwari
M. Farooq Kathwari (b 1944), president, chairman and CEO, has been the driving force behind Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. His continual reengineering of the company has enabled Ethan Allen to maintain its leadership position as one of the most successful vertically integrated furniture company in the world with design centers globally and nine manufacturing facilities. In 2009, Mr. Kathwari directed the launching of the Ethan Allen Contract division.
|
Nominated
2009 |
Steven M. Kincaid
Steven M. Kincaid (b 1948), president of Kincaid Furniture Co., has been the driving force behind their success. After selling Kincaid to La-Z-Boy Inc., he assumed the position of senior vice president of La-Z-Boy, and has successfully developed the case goods division of La-Z-Boy into an industry leader. The division includes Lea Youth Furniture, Hammary and American Drew, in addition to Kincaid.
|
Nominated
2009 |
J. Ralph Stump
J. Ralph Stump (b 1929), chairman emeritus of the Stump Corporation and Stump & Company, has shaped the course of the industry for nearly half a century. He began his career with the William Iselin Company, where he provided initial capital to many future industry leaders and built a book of business that grew to more than $8 billion in factored sales. In 1974, he founded Stump Financial Corporation, which facilitated successful transactions of more than 500 furniture companies.
|
Nominated
2009 |
Richard J. Udouj, Sr.
Richard J. Udouj, Sr. (b 1936), former president and CEO of Riverside Furniture, has made a positive impact on the industry. During his 30-year career at Riverside, he helped transform the business from a regional manufacturer to a nationally recognized company, growing annual sales from $2 million in 1959 to nearly $90 million at the time of his retirement in1989. Mr. Udouj also has led numerous industry associations and was instrumental in the merger of the National Furniture Manufacturers Association and the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Association. |
New members will be announced and officially inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame at the annual banquet celebration on October 18, 2009 at the High Point Market. To make reservations for the banquet, please call 336.882.5900.
The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is an international, industry-wide organization founded to honor those individuals whose outstanding achievements have contributed to the continued growth and development of the U.S. furniture industry, as well as to research, collect and preserve our cultural, economic and artistic history. Membership includes eligibility to vote for inductees into the American Furniture Hall of Fame, and the opportunity to help preserve the history and heritage of the industry. The organization is based in High Point at 202 Neal Place, and can be reached at 336.882.5900. For more information visit www.furniturehalloffame.com.