Furniture Business News

Seven nominated to Furniture Hall of Fame

August 24th, 2007

Furniture Today,
Vote will pick inductees, who will be revealed at Oct. 2 banquet

HIGH POINT — Seven nominees will vie for induction into the American Furniture Hall of Fame, the AFHF Foundation said yesterday.


The candidates, chosen from nominations by AFHF members, are:
• George B. Cartledge Sr., who died in 1997 and was chairman of Grand Piano and Furniture in Roanoke, Va., a Top 100 chain with 23 stores.
• Joyce Cash Eddy, who started with a small company in 1972 and built a multimillion-dollar furniture business, Habersham. She is known for her hand-styled, hand-painted and hand-finished product, and her development of new and unique finishes. She also donates a portion of her company’s revenues to charitable organizations,
• O. William “Bill” Fenn Jr., former president and CEO of Stanley Furniture, a senior manager with Thomasville Furniture and Armstrong World Interiors, and former president and vice chairman of Ladd Furniture.
• Sam P. Finger Jr., who died in 2001 and was president and chairman of Houston retailer Finger Furniture. Under his leadership, Finger Furniture became the South’s largest privately owned home furnishings retailer and an innovator in home furnishings merchandising. He pioneered the environmental room setting concept, where furnishings and accessories were displayed in home-like settings.
• Fred Friedman, who died in 2005, was president and chairman of Carl’s Furniture, Boca Raton, Fla. Under his leadership, the Top 100 chain grew to a company with more than 500 employees, 22 stores and estimated revenues exceeding $130 million.
• Mitchell Gold, who teamed with Bob Williams in 1989 to start The Mitchell Gold Co. in Taylorsville, N.C. With an investment of $60,000, they began making upholstered dining chairs.  Today, renamed Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, the $100 million company offers upholstery, case goods, lighting, rugs, accessories and fine-art photography.
• Felix Wright, longtime leader of components and furniture manufacturer Leggett & Platt. He was a champion of the principle of integrity in business, and under his direction L&P expanded its product offerings and distribution network.

A vote by AFHF members will choose the inductees, who will be announced at the annual Hall of Fame banquet on Oct. 2, during the High Point Market.

“The individuals nominated by their industry peers represent leaders whose notable contributions have had a significant impact on the success of the furniture industry,” said J. Don Coleman, president of the Hall of Fame Foundation. “They are an inspiration for setting standards of innovation, determination and service.”

Reservations for the banquet may be made by calling (336) 882-5900.

 

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