AFHF Hall of Fame Inductees

His company's leadership in design excellence and maintenance of the highest quality standards came directly from his insistence. Through his own products, he raised the performance levels of the entire industry.

From his own research, he learned more about the history of furniture design and construction than anyone else of his era. His knowledge, experience and acquisitiveness resulted in a major collection of exemplary pieces now housed in his Baker Museum in Holland, Michigan and the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

Virtually his whole life was devoted to furniture. He was dedicated to design, serving as president and trustee of the Grand Rapids Art Museum and trustee of the Parsons School of Furniture Design in New York. He was instrumental in the founding of American Institute of Decorators (now the American Society of Interior Designers).

Mr. Braun represented Hickory Cabinet, Granite Furniture, Hickory Furniture Shops, and Berkline. He remained with Berkline most of his career until his retirement. His strong influence on fellow sales representatives extended beyond his company affiliations.

As a leader in his professional association, IHFRA, he originated the "Buy Better Furniture Values Now" program that was tied to the National Open House Week. He presented the idea at IHFRA's Conference in Chicago in 1958, and throughout the' year traveled extensively speaking to retailers, manufacturers and suppliers about the program. At a meeting in Greensboro, NC, attended by some 600 industry leaders, the program was adopted. He traveled and spoke extensively in support of the program, sometimes to the neglect of his own business. The program drew commendation from throughout the industry. In 1977 he was presented with lHFRA's Distinguished Service Award (known then as the "Man of the Mark" award), and today the award bears Harold Braun's name.

Harold Braun's gift of leadership extended outside the industry as well. He was an important influence on the passage of the Keogh Self Employment pension law, often traveling to Washington at his own expense to advocate the bill's passage.

Born In a rural Wilkes County farmhouse in 1892, he moved to Lenoir after serving in WWI and began a furniture business in 1926 which has grown to 7.000 employees (since acquired by INTERCO).

During and after WWII, he served on the Advisory Committee of the War Production Board and as chairman of the Furniture Advisory Committee of the Office of Price Administration. For four successive terms in the 1 940s, he piloted the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Association, and in the early 1960s, served on the board of directors of the National Association of Manufacturers. His Broyhill Foundation significantly contributes to civic, education and religious causes.

With a degree in Business Administration from Davidson College, Bernhardt was well qualified to lead the company through the acquisition of a series of other companies and participation In several joint ventures. He added upholstery manufacturing to their successful case goods line. This resulted in considerable growth in sales, production, and the number of employees.

His concern for employees was a top priority. He saw that the company accorded a number of benefits long; before other companies adopted the practice and he included the employees of each newly acquired company. Under his guidance, Communications Teams were formed and later Quality Circles were added...all to give employees a voice in the company and a share of the earnings.

John Christian Bernhardt has been a distinguished leader within the furniture Industry and In every area of his life. He served as president of the Furniture Manufacturers Marketing Association, Director of SFMA (now AFMA), received the James T. Ryan Distinguished Service Award and was the first recipient of the Johnson Wax Centennial Award. He served as an officer and director of many companies, foundations, civic, and community organizations.

He became an authority on furniture styles, production methods and marketing. Articles in "Furniture World" and educational brochures have provided "how-to's" and much needed training to all areas of the industry,

He traveled world wide for more than half a century collecting over 8000 books on furniture, architecture, fabrics, and manufacturing, The Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library, founded in 1970 by FURNITURE WORLD Magazine is the largest and most complete library and public gift of books on home furnishings in the world. "Sandy" wrote four books on home furnishings, Including "History of American Furniture," which is in use as a college text.

Bienenstock received the Southern Furniture Manufacturers' Association "Distinguished Service Award" and the IHFRA "Pillars of Industry Award." He co-founded the Furniture Educational Institute and helped to found the school for furniture engineering at North Carolina State. He began his life of giving in the early 1920 s as a counselor for young troubled New York boys from broken homes.

"Mrs. B" fled Russia in 1917 and joined her husband Isadore. She started a used clothing and furniture business in a basement with a borrowed $500 investment.

The first Nebraska Furniture Mart opened in downtown Omaha in 1937, but business did not come easy. Manufacturers, at first, would not sell to Mrs. B and banks would not lend her money. By 1948, Mrs. B had raised and saved enough money to move to a better building. Today son, Louie, and grandsons, Ron and Irv, carry on the tradition of "over-deliver and under-promise." Success is attributed to part work ethic, part unwavering commitment to a low-price policy and service, part history and reputation, part vision, and part execution.

In the late 1 930's, Mrs. B worked with a friend on the dream of establishing a Jewish homeland in Palestine by opening her home and inviting prospective supporters. A decade later, Israel was founded and this friend, Golda Meir, served as the first prime minister.

Rose Blumkin is lauded by a U.S. president, members of congress, and business dignitaries as one of America's greatest entrepreneurs ... one whose undaunted spirit built a multi-million dollar business literally from the basement up.

He guided Drexel Furniture Company as a high end manufacturer, style leader and trend setter as he rose to Board Member and President (1952-1964).

Following his retirement at age 60, he contributed 20 years of additional voluntary service. For ten years, he was Chairman of FICAP and served as a board member for the first all-industry promotions, "Debut 71 & 73". He was faculty member and advisor for an Appalachian State University furniture course which earned him Honorary Doctorate of Commercial Science. He was a member of the Presidential Commission to explore U.S. furniture European potential (1972) and was an advisor in establishing the American Furniture Hall of Fame (1976 and 1988). He has been recognized with distinguished service awards by Southern and American Furniture Manufacturers Associations.

In 1972, at age 55, he risked his entire life savings to start Culp, Inc. with his son, Rob. During 20 years as the head of Culp, he guided the firm from fabric converter to one of the leading vertical manufacturers of upholstered fabrics in our industry. In addition, he became a manufacturer of Jacquards, dobbies, prints and velvets. Sales at his death approached $200 million.

Recognized as a leader in all areas of fabrics, he introduced many new concepts regarding the application of various upholstered fabric instructions to upholstered furniture including developing 54" as a standard width and railroading of fabrics for better cutting yield. He is credited with developing and pioneering the heat-transfer method of printing cloth for upholstery; introducing tufting machinery for the manufacture of velvets; and developing a regional warehouse concept to support manufacturing centers.

His company has become one of the most important suppliers of fabrics for the furniture and bedding industries. He was a builder... not only of a respected company ... but of many educational and civic organizations.

With limited resources, Mr. Culp developed a business from scratch to become a leader in both innovation and growth in a major industry against well-entrenched, powerful competition. He also gave generously of his time, talents, and resources to education and the community.

Part of his secret was that Tom A. believed in instituting communications with consumers in advance of designing and market planning - a practice new to the industry, that he advocated in a Merchandise Mart address In Chicago In 1967. He helped to set Industry patterns with his ability to bring out new designs to anticipate market trends In the presentation of products; his insistence on extensive showrooms; and his use of professional interior designers. He created excitement and drama In presentation that carried through to retail sales floors. These pioneering efforts resulted in dramatic sales iIncreases and sophisticated, luxurious gallery displays - such as retail dealers now employ.

He was elected chairman, Board of Governors, American Furniture Mart; president Furniture Factories' Marketing Association. and the Southern Furniture Manufacturers' Association (now AFMA). The American Furniture Mart named him "Furniture Man of the Year." SFMA presented him the "J.T. Ryan Award." He served In every area In his community and state... gubernatorial appointments, and a trustee of Woodberry Forest School, High Point College and Duke University... although he was a Princeton graduate.

He became a director of the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Association in 1935, became president in 1949; then chairman. He received the highest honor of that group, the James T. Ryan Award, in 1968. He was designated "Man of the Year" by the Chicago American Furniture Mart in 1948.

In 1958, he was the leader of a group of manufacturers who established the Furniture Manufacturing and Management curriculum at North Carolina State University. Realizing that the educational activity required funding, in 1959 he became founding president of The Furniture Foundation, and served until his death. An endowed professorship and a student loan fund in his name commemorate these efforts. He was director of the Home Economics Foundation at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro, and instrumental in founding their program in interior design. For these educational activities, he received a doctorate from NCSU in 1964, from UNC-G in 1966, and from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1981. He was the only non-governor of North Carolina to receive these three doctorates.

He joined the board of the Southern Furniture Exposition Building (now IHFC) in 1931. He was president from 1958 until his death, leading in seven of the ten major expansions of the market building.

To ship In record time and keep warehousing and inventory costs low, he shipped only In carload lots. By 1952, he was able to sell Stratford reclining chairs at under $99.00. By 1954, he was supporting three production and two supply factories In Mississippi and two North Carolina factories producing higher-priced BarcaLoungers. In 1964, his companies were acquired by Mohasco Industries with Futorian remaining as president until his retirement in 1981.

In the 1960's, Jack, with his brother Ned, pioneered the furniture franchising concept. He was the driving force behind developing the International Woodworking Machinery Show and Furniture Supply Fair (IWF). He helped to unite NAFM and SFMA into the American Furniture Manufacturers Association and was prominent in the development of an econometric forecasting model for the home furnishings industry. He served as a director of AFMA, president of NAFM, and charter board member of IWF and UFAC.

His major contributions to the industry include: the development in the 1950's of a componentized manufacturing process and factory scheduling system, and his own delivery fleet of trucks that allowed Norwalk to offer consumers more than 100,000 selections in chair and sofa styles and fabrics ... all available in just 30 days. This is a widely adopted industry practice today.

In the early 1960's Gerken pioneered a comprehensive testing program which enabled Norwalk to offer the protection of a fabric warranty as part of its product warranty. Many of the testing methods he developed have been adapted for industry use by the "Joint Industry Fabric Standards Committee."

Gerken pioneered the standardization of rails in upholstered frames so that they could be cut to maximize the yield of frame parts and reduce manufacturing costs.

As president of National Association of Furniture Manufacturers in 1963-64, he pushed for an industry-wide "Seal of Integrity" program. An endless quest for better manufacturing led to Gerken's development of a conveyorized sewing room where he developed manufacturing technology that is widely used in the industry today.

Bob has been a member of the National Home Furnishings Association board of directors since 1950, and was elected president in 1966. He was the first President of the Home Furnishings Council of America for 1968 and chairman of the All Furniture Industry Conference in 1967 in Washington, DC. Mr. Glick also serves on the Board of the Ohio Council of Retail Merchants.

Glick Furniture Company and Robert A. Glick, individually, have been the recipients of the All American Merchants Furniture Industry Award, Furniture World Award of Merit, Brand Name Furniture Retailer of the Year, Furniture Industry Certificate of Merit, Apollo Award as Outstanding Summer Furniture Merchant, and the Home Furnishings Group of National Retail Merchants Association Creative Merchandising Award.. The Ohio Wholesale Furniture Salesmen's Association recognized Mr. Glick's public awareness and interest in home furnishing. Glick Furniture Company has been listed the past two years among the -100 Largest Private Companies in Central Ohio.

His many civic and charitable activities include: the Salvation Army Board, Better Business Bureau and Urban Renewal Commission. He received the Volunteer of the Decade. Award for his association with Ronald McDonald House.

The son of Irish immigrants, Haverty learned retailing in Atlanta dry goods stores. Of his early pioneer-ing partnership with Amos Rhodes he said. ''I am proudest of the system which provided every homemaker with an opportunity to obtain beautiful furniture to provide his family with more pleasant surroundings than he could otherwise afford." This was by selling furniture on the installment plan. Attracted by the growing West. he would buy a furniture store, retain the former owner as manager and partial owner and thus assure his heart was in the business. This group became known as "Graduates of Haverty's Management." Privately, he headed the Atlanta Arts Association, as well as President Franklin Roosevelt's Federal Arts Project of the Works Progress Administration for the

Tragically, Carroll died in 1969, leaving Mary to pilot the growing and successful company on her own. By her industry, intelligence and "grit," and by meticulously following his principles, she carried it onward to even greater prominence. Their son Bill was able to assume the presidency in 1982 and Mary became chairman of the board.

Mary Henkel was elected to the Board of Directors of the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Association (now AFMA), the first woman to receive such an honor. She has established scholarships for students interested in careers in the furniture industry including the Carroll H. Henkel Memorial Scholarship Fund at North Carolina State University. She is a director of The Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library in High Point.

Mary's sincere desire is that everyone remember that it was her own and Carroll's drive, business ability and will to succeed together that created their company and led to its leading position in the furniture industry today. Any honor bestowed is shared as teammates, best friends and loving partners.

Hooker Furniture became a leader in developing successful niches such as wall units, bookcases, home office and home entertainment centers. Clyde Hooker served as chairman of the Dallas Market Center Advisory Board, the Advisory Board of the Atlanta Merchandise Mart, Director Emeritus of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association, and provided substantial contributions of time and money to the Home Furnishings Council and the High Point University Furniture Program. He received the James T. Ryan award from AFMA in 1985 and The Pillar of Industry award from IHFRA in 1977.

He served as president of Drexel Knitting Mills and Huffman Hosiery Company, and as officer and director of several banks, companies and associations.

Sam J. Ervin, Jr., U.S. Senator from North Carolina, said in his introduction of Mr. Huffman to the Newcomen Society in 1963 ... "Rob Huffman is a man in whom a strong and honest mind, a compassionate and courageous heart, and a simple faith in God and man are blended in harmonious proportions. These attributes are exemplified in everything he thinks, says, or does. As a consequence, he is a genial companion, a true friend, a lover of his fellow man, an exemplary citizen, a devoted churchman, a dedicated free enterpriser, an enlightened industrialist, a hard fighter for causes he believes just, and withal a man of many graces, much humility, and a gentle spirit."

As Juilfs developed new fastening technology, larger and more powerful tools were introduced for nearly every work station. During a lifetime that saw him acquire almost 100 patents, he changed and made an immense impact on the furniture industry. Through his ingenuity, Juilfs led the industry to realize the significant increases in productivity needed to keep United States furniture competitive in the world market. Research fellowships in wood construction were established by Juilfs at Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

He began in the factory early in life at Caldwell Furniture Company working with his father. He left school after tenth grade and worked through a series of jobs of increasing responsibility with several companies.

In 1946, he and his father built a small factory, making solid wood cedar chests and wardrobes. They continually put the profits back into the business so that it grew steadily. Even as the company expanded into bedroom and occasional furniture, Kincaid remained faithful to its specialty of solid wood construction.

Beginning in 1958, his company became one of the first in our industry to operate its own fleet of trucks to assure prompt, safe delivery of undamaged products. Most furniture manufacturers today follow this pattern.

The company, still under the guidance of Wade Kincaid, went public with an offering of stock in 1983. In 1988, it became a subsidiary of La-Z-Boy Chair Company and is today the nation's largest manufacturer of solid wood furniture. Everyone who knew Wade Kincaid cherishes his memory, and the industry still feels his presence.

It was the launch of an entirely new industry, as well as of the now $5OO million La-Z-Boy Chair Co. He was an Innovator who conveyorized early and invented tools and mechanisms for motion furniture. An outstanding marketing man, in a relatively short time he changed La-Z-Boy from an unknown phrase to a nationally recognized household name. He initiated one of the Industry's first employee benefit programs, and was also a man d his community, dedicating considerable time as well as funds to the YMCA, Mercy Hospital, housing for seniors and the handicapped, as well as his church.

became manager of the Wilson, NC store. After receiving the Bronze Star Medal as an Air Force Captain during World War II, he returned to Heilig-Meyers in 1946 as the company's general manager. In 1951, Heilig-Meyers moved its headquarters to Richmond, VA, and in 1965, Mr. Meyers became president of the company.

Under Hyman's guidance, Heilig-Meyers became a public company in 1972, and in 1983, Heilig-Meyers' stock was listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange. He served as chairman of the Board and chief executive officer until he retired from active employment with the company in 1984. He continues to serve as a member of the board of directors. When Mr. Meyers became president in 1965, sales were approximately $5.3 million with 14 stores. In 1993, sales were approximately $549.7 million with 425 stores.

Pat returned to furniture retailing and later became vice president of sales and a member of the board of Baumritter/Ethan Allen. In 1981 he became senior vice president and a member of the La-Z-Boy Board of Directors.

During his tenure, the company has grown by a factor of ten. Sales in 1981 were $155 million; sales this year are expected to exceed one billion. Mr. Norton built "La-Z-Boy" into the most recognized name brand within our industry.

Pat has served on the board of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association and on the liaison committee with the National Home Furnishings Association. As the first Home Furnishings Council chairman, he worked tirelessly to unite retailers, manufacturers and suppliers behind the effort.

Mr. Norton served as vice chairman of the American Legion Department of Missouri and has been a member of the National Jr. American Legion Baseball Commission, for ten years as state chairman producing three state champions and sending two teams to the national finals.

Under his leadership, the company became a diversified manufacturer, expanding into broad product lines and acquiring upholstered furniture manufacturers whose company names and product quality complemented Lane's casegood lines,

He made himself a leader within the furniture manufacturing family, serving on the board of the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Association for many years and shouldering numerous responsibilities on behalf of the industry.

It was "Hamp" who was most often chosen to represent furniture manufacturers In Washington. DC where he pleaded our cause with patience, persistence and persuasiveness. His indefatigable efforts as chairman of the association's Government Relations Committee addressed industry concerns such as upholstered furniture flammability regulations and wood dust regulation.

He received the James T. Ryan award for outstanding service to the Industry in 1974. In 1987 he was honored by UFAC with the "Dali" Award as "Industry Champion" for his efforts to avoid costly federal flammability regulations.

Noted for his seven-day work weeks at his company, Powell still found time to serve his community, his church, and the furniture Industry. His constant quest for excellence at all levels of endeavor set a standard for quality that will endure both in the company and In the Industry.

He began to manufacture and sell picture frames. Although people wanted to buy them, they had little money. So he adapted his selling technique to fit the

prevailing economic conditions and created a market among the poor. Rather than grant straight credit, he agreed to a small weekly payment and combined collection routes with his selling routes. The plan was an instant success and buying on the installment plan was born.

He then moved into home furnishings with the first Rhodes furniture store opening in the fall of 1875. From this simple but ingenious beginning, Rhodes Furniture has grown to a 75 unit chain of stores in ten Southeastern states. The stores' continuing acceptance and growth is due in no small part to practicing the principles established by Mr. Rhodes: give the public reliability, service and quality.

Rhodes established the A.G. Rhodes Home for older people, which still exists. He strongly supported numerous civic and charitable organizations and was a strong supporter of the Christian Church in Atlanta.

Joe Richardson became famous for his national ads which showed him proudly standing on an inverted dining room chair...a testimony to the quality of Richardson furniture.

He became an effective leader of the industry beginning in 1984 with his election to the Board of Directors of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association. During the next decade, he served as president and chairman of AFMA.

Joe Richardson II is a past trustee of the Jiranek School of Furniture Design and past executive committee member of the Home Furnishings Council during its formative years. His contributions and strengths as a founding director of the American Furniture Hall of Fame, president, and secretary treasurer were developed during his award-winning civic work in historic preservation of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

In the 1940's and during World War II as head of the Consumer Durables Division of the War Production Board. In the post war years, with Sears as a partner, he acquired half interest In International Furniture Company and Karpen, eventually buying out the retail giant and establishing the Schnadig Corporation of today. At age 80. he could be found overseeing production on the floor of one of Schnadig's upholstered furniture plants. He served on the Board of Governors of Chicago's American Furniture Mart and as head of its Marketing Committee. responsible for establishing furniture market dates.

Edwin Shoemaker is an inventor, acquiring his first patent for a band saw guide in 1925. His engineering genius brought the mass production methods of Detroit's automotive industry into the upholstery plant, He planned and designed the manufacturing facility that opened in November, 1941. Production was 85 chairs per day from a factory with 24,000 square feet of floor space.

Today, total floor space has expanded to well over 5,000,000 square feet, with 8,000 employees in nine states. Shoemaker had a hand in the design and construction of every La-Z-Boy plant.

Shoemaker was among the first to project the physical properties of recliners as a science. If there were such a thing as the "'Father of Motion Furniture," he would be a candidate for that title.

As a trustee for the La-Z-Boy Chair Foundation since 1953, his philanthropy has touched hospitals, schools, libraries, museums, and a host of religious programs.

Charles Sligh was the founder, president, and general manager of Sligh Furniture Company of Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1880. At the time of his death in 1927, it was the largest manufacturer of bedroom furniture in the world employing nearly 1 ,500 workers.

He pioneered the idea of producing matching moderately priced bedroom furniture in suites as opposed to the then current practice of one company specializing in beds, another bureaus, and so on.

Mr. Sligh was the leader of his time in global thinking. He traveled to Honduras in 1883 and established the Honduras Mahogany Company as a source for mahogany. He broke a cartel of U.S. importers of German mirror and glass in 1890, when they restricted his supply, by traveling to Europe and finding other manufacturers ... to the benefit of the entire industry.

Mr. Sligh had a profound sense of civic and industry responsibility. He ran for governor of the State of Michigan in 1896; was a member of the commission which drafted the first Workman's Compensation Act for Michigan in 1912; and was elected to the

Michigan State Senate in 1922. He was president of the National Furniture Manufacturers Association, president of the Grand Rapids Furniture Manufacturers Association, and a director of the National Association of Manufacturers.

Mr. Stickley was the leader of the American arts and crafts movement at the turn of the century, he pioneered the honesty and simplicity of the mission style of furniture at his Craftsman Workshops.

The workshops also produced cabinet work, rush seats, leather products, metal hardware, lamps and needlework from 1900 to 1916. Gustav's brothers, Leopold and John George, continued the Stickley factories until 1974 when the Audi family bought the L.&J.G. Stickley Company. Today, Gustav Stickley's original designs have been re-issued by that company.

He founded the Craftsman Farms, where his philosophy and lifestyle were practiced and shared. As publisher and editor of the monthly Craftsman Magazine, Stickley showed entire house plans with all the furnishings needed to complete them. Architectural drawings were sent to the readers free of charge. Craftsman homes sprang up around the country. More homes meant the sale of more furniture.

As Americans in the 1 990's have rediscovered the value of home and family, furniture manufacturers have drawn upon the designs of Gustav Stickley and his contemporaries. The prolific reproduction of his designs by today's manufacturers is a testament to his craftsman style and contribution to the industry. His furniture may be seen at major museums through the country.

Armed with a degree in philosophy from the University of North Carolina and a law degree, Mr. Tomlinson, early in his business career, began to see the advantages of organizing the industry as a whole. In 1913, he helped organize the Southern Furniture Exposition Building and was elected its first president. He held this office until 1923 and was chairman of the Executive Committee until his death.

As president of the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Association during 1916-1923, an economically trying period, he called a meeting of 400 furniture industry representatives that formed the National Council of Furniture Manufacturers ... he was elected its first president.

Charles Tomlinson, and his brother, Sidney Halstead, saw their business grow from 25 workmen to over 700 employees occupying over 13 acres of floor space.

In 1916, they began designing matching dining and living room suites. In this innovation, they were among the first to sense the broadening of American tastes. They began working with period furniture in 18th century French, English, and American tradition. Their Williamsburg Gallery was a first to display furniture in room settings ... a method that affected the whole industry. The Tomlinson furniture factory complex is entered in the National Register of Historical Places, now called Market Square.

The company Underdown founded, Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company, was launched in 1944 as a small producer of coiled springs for area furniture companies. That company has grown and expanded and today operates across the United States with over sixty locations in 17 states. It provides hundreds of companies from coast to coast with a broad spectrum of products and services ranging from polyurethane foam, motion mechanisms and polyester fiber to furniture supplies, sleeper mechanisms and automated wood carving.

Even more important than his role as the founder of a large, successful company, was the role Underdown played in helping to restructure and give new impetus to the furniture supply industry. He was a primary force in helping to reposition this support industry that had long been characterized by small "Mom and Pop", single product operations to one that, today, features large, well-managed companies offering multiple product lines. These larger companies are more sharply focused on the needs of the furniture industry and, because of economies of scale, can more efficiently and cost effectively meet the requirements of their customers. Throughout his long career, Underdown remained ever alert to opportunities to quickly meet the changing needs of the marketplace, to introduce new products and technology, and to expand the capabilities of the furniture supply industry.

Mr. Wrenn ran his company with distinction for the next 50 years. Years later, Mr. Wrenn liked to recall that the High Point Furniture Company was in business when Coxey's army marched through High Point en route to Washington during the panic of 1890.

In less than 15 years, the managers saw an obvious need for furniture showrooms near their factories. Mr. Wrenn was instrumental in opening the first High Point Exposition Company in 1902, and the Furniture Manufacturers Exposition Company in 1903. The success of these efforts resulted in the erection of the ten-story Southern Furniture Exposition Building in 1921, in which Tom Wrenn also actively participated. That structure has grown into the magnificent International Home Furnishings Center, and the global furniture market which now surrounds it in and near High Point.

Tom Wrenn was the first of a race of giants. Without them, there would be no Furniture Hall of Fame today. From the concentration of manufacturing in North Carolina, Virginia and Tennessee to the International Home Furnishings Market, his impact is there.

In 1950, Mr. Young became the vice president of sales and in the following years helped establish Link-Taylor Corporation, Young-Hinkle Corporation and Henry Link Corporation, all separate but related companies. Over the years, Mr. Young became both chairman and president of Dixie and Henry Link, as well as executive vice president of Link-Taylor and Young Hinkle.

He has taken a position of leadership in the furniture industry as a chairman of the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Association, receiving the prestigious James T. Ryan Award in 1983. Mr. Young headed the Furniture Factories Marketing Association, and the board of governors of both the Dallas Market Center and the Atlanta Merchandise Mart.

Mr. Young has had an impact on the residential furniture industry like few others, through creative merchandising concepts, close working relationships with leading retailers, new manufacturing techniques, and strength in distribution, merchandising.