Coleman Retiring as Hickory Springs CEO

September 21, 2011  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Executive Changes on September 22, 2011

Don Coleman, president and CEO of furniture and bedding components vendor Hickory Springs, has announced his plans to retire in December.

Coleman, who's been with Hickory, N.C.-based Hickory Springs for 39 years, has been president and CEO of the  company since 1996.

"At the quarterly meeting of the Board of Directors on July 21, 2011, I announced my plans to retire on December 31, 2011, to enjoy more time with my family," Coleman said. "It has been a wonderful 39-plus years working with and for a company of the quality standards and ethics we enjoy. We as employees can be proud to be a part of the organization we have today."

Coleman joined Hickory Springs in 1972 as its first national product manager, and then added manufactured sleeper mechanisms to his management responsibilities in 1975. He served as general manager of the company's Highland Fabricators facility following its acquisition, then was named vice president of the company's Eastern Furniture Division following its formation in 1992. Four years later, he succeeded Neil Underdown as president and CEO.

"Hickory Springs is grateful to Don for his years of outstanding leadership, loyalty, and vision," said Tom Pierce, chairman of the Board of Directors of Hickory Springs. "His commitment to developing innovative products, sound fiscal policy, creative partnerships and understanding the needs of our customers has had an immeasurable impact upon the ongoing excellence, growth and diversification of Hickory Springs over the years."

Hickory Springs is working with a professional placement service to search for Coleman's successor.

"Hickory Springs has formed a number of joint ventures as well as made several acquisitions to advance the Company toward its strategic goals," Coleman said. "Succession planning has been the key in each area.  Over the past year, we have placed talented and seasoned managers in expanded roles to strengthen and grow Hickory Springs in all markets. I look forward to stepping back and seeing the fruits of our planning propel the Company into the exciting opportunities which are consistent with what Hickory Springs has been for 67 years."

Coleman also has enjoyed a distinguished career in the business and civic communities as well as with Hickory Springs. He currently serves on the boards of the Furniture Foundation, the American Furniture Hall of Fame, the Catawba County Community Foundation, and the Wells Fargo Western North Carolina Advisory Board. Last year, the Business Council of Lenoir-Rhyne University named him Business Leader of the Year. Former Governor James Hunt awarded him the North Carolina's highest civilian recognition, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine. He also is the conductor of the Hickory Choral Society, a community choir that he helped found in 1978.