Furniture Hall of Fame Inducts 3

October 14, 2012  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Community/Charitable Support on October 15, 2012

Three industry leaders have been inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame. 

Joining the current 88 members are Howard G. Haas, former president and CEO of Sealy Inc.; Kevin M. O'Connor, president and CEO of Samson Marketing; and Melvyn L. Wolff, chairman of Star Furniture Co. 

The international banquet was attended by retailers, buying group members, interior designers, manufacturers, suppliers and other foundation members.

"Every person on the slate this year is worthy so the selection process was particularly competitive, based on a vote by the membership combined with our points-based rating system of each nominee by the Foundation's Industry Fellow Selection Committee," says Randy Ford, president of the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation. "This new process looks throughout the industry, across all segments, to ensure the integrity of the honor.  Each new member truly represents enduring excellence, superior accomplishments, innovation and creativity, and philanthropic generosity in their time, talents and resources." 

Howard G. Haas, president and CEO of Sealy Inc. for 19 years, increased revenues from $32 million to $550 million without the acquisition of a competitor or supplier. He integrated a group of 34 independent licensees into a unified entity, achieving new efficiencies and consistency across factories in production and service. A leader and mentor to many in the bedding industry, three of his young executives now lead Simmons, Sealy and Serta. Under his leadership, in-store displays showcased Posturepedic bedding, sleep shops made their debut, and Sealy became the first bedding company to run national television advertising.  A retired adjunct professor of strategic management at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Haas co-authored the book, "The Leader Within." 

Kevin M. O'Connor worked his way up from sales representative to president of two leading furniture companies before launching Legacy Classic Furniture in 1999. Partnering with Samuel Kuo of Samson Holding, he developed a business model that enables customers to mix a wide variety of products on a direct-container basis with door-to-door service from China. This plan, now common throughout the industry, makes it possible for independent retailers to affordably source smaller quantities of imported products. Today, O'Connor is president and CEO of Samson Marketing, which includes Legacy and Universal Furniture. With a long track record of service to the furniture industry and community organizations, he has served in leading roles for the High Point Market Authority, the High Point Pre-Market, American Home Furnishings Alliance, the American Furniture Hall of Fame and the City of Hope.

Melvyn L. Wolff, chairman of Houston-based Star Furniture is credited with transforming a small credit-oriented, low-end store into one of the country's most successful retail furniture operations. With his sister, Shirley Toomim, he repositioned the company, founded by his father, to serve a more affluent customer. The company has consistently been a leader in creating innovative marketing strategies and display techniques ahead of industry practices.  In 1997 he sold his company to the Berkshire Hathaway Co. The company has 750 employees in four cities and is now celebrating its 100th anniversary. Wolff is currently a member of the board of the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and is an active industry contributor. His involvement includes the National Home Furnishings Association and numerous community boards.

Under the new selection system, the inductees were determined by the combination of a vote of the membership and a points-based rating system of each nominee by the foundation's Industry Fellow Selection Committee. The voting period began July 9 and ended August 3.