Badcock Dealer Coleman Davis Selected Florida Retailer of the Year

Furniture World Magazine

Coleman Davis, associate dealer and manager for four Central Florida Badcock Home Furnishing Centers, was awarded the Retailer of the Year Award for Leadership by the Florida Retail Federation at its annual meeting held recently 'in Naples. Davis was selected for the award in the small business category from more than 5,000 member companies of the statewide trade association that represents Florida retailing, which is the state's second largest industry. "This award recognizes retailers who have distinguished themselves through commitment to their employees, their customers and their communities," said Jose Calvo, chairman of the selection committee and a Florida Retail Federation board member. "Florida's economy depends on the retail industry, and FRF wants to recognize those who are contributing to the wellbeing of our state." Davis lives in Plant City and owns Badcock stores 'in Seffner and Zephyrhills in addition to managing stores in Plant City and Brandon. He has been with the W.S. Badcock Corp. for 40 years. "Coleman Davis has done an outstanding job and is be ing recognized for his exceptional contributions," said Calvo. "Coleman is a great example of a talented, hard-working retailer who has made a difference with superior performance." Don Marks, president of W. S. Badcock Corp., said, "We are proud of Coleman and his many contributions to the Badcock organization. He is an outstanding dealer *in every respect and sets a high standard for our company. Coleman's community service also exemplifies the role of Badcock local storeowners throughout the Southeast and their commitment to their communities. His loyalty to the Badcock Corp. and his employees means a great deal to all of us." Davis joined Badcock as an auditor immediately after his college graduation in 1960, and he has built an exceptional career with the same company. His commitment to his employees began early as he had the foresight to send his staff to sales and management seminars before it was standard procedure to do so, and he was the first Badcock dealer to install a computer. Badcock has relied on Davis' experience and insight in training new dealers and providing valuable input into new corporate programs. "Coleman is an important resource for developing innovative sales and operations support for our dealer network," said William K. Pou, Jr., Badcock executive vice president of retail operations, "We are very proud of Coleman's accomplishments and congratulate him on winning this outstanding award." Davis has been an active member of his church for 31 years, and he has served as a leader in the Plant City Lions Club, not only locally, but also as leadership chairman at the region, zone and district levels. The Lions Club has honored him with several local awards as well as the International President's Medal of Honor. He also has been active in local educational endeavors, both during his children's school years, and since. "I am honored by this award," Davis said, "and I share it with Badcock and our store employees. I have had a great career with a company that truly cares about its associate dealers and its customers. I wouldn't have done anything different the past 40 years. And I'm still having a great time in the retail business." The Florida Retail Federation represents Florida's retailers in legislative and regulatory processes and provides cost-saving member services. FRF is the advocate for Florida's retailers, who provide more than $20 billion in wages annually, including one out of every five jobs, and collect and remit more than $13.4 billion 'in sales and retail-related taxes for Florida's government. In fact, more than three out of four of Florida's budget dollars come from retail-related activity. Badcock is one of the largest home furnishings organizations in the country and has been in operation since 1904. The company has a broad line of name brand furniture, appliances, electronics, bedding and floor covering and had record sales this past year. W.S. Badcock Corp. was recently listed in Florida Trend magazine as the 25th largest privately owned company in Florida.