Outdoor Furniture Groups Name Lifetime Award Honorees

June 17, 2007  by in UnCategorized   

By Home Furnishings Business in Casual Furniture on June 2007 Outdoor furniture manufacturer and rep William Lyon and retailer Catherine Galbreath will receive 2007 Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Casual Furniture Retailers Association and the Summer and Casual Furniture Manufacturers Association on September 20 at the 48th Annual Apollo Awards Banquet in Chicago.

CFR and SCFMA developed the Lifetime Achievement Award to recognize individuals who have made exemplary contributions to the casual furniture industry and to their communities.

Lyon’s 52-year career started as sales office manager at Woodard, Owosso, Mich. He helped launch Carolina Forge, Salisbury, N.C., in 1959. When Woodard was purchased by Wicks Corp. in 1968, he founded Lyon-Shaw and sold it to Meadowcraft in 1987. He continued working for Meadowcraft through 1990, when he launched an independent representatives organization that represents companies such as O.W. Lee, Cast Classics and Pride Family Brands.

Galbreath joined ABSCO Fireplace & Patio in 1971 to help her husband, John, and added outdoor furniture to the store in the mid-70s. ABSCO now operates three stores. Galbreath joined the Casual Furniture Retailers soon after its inception and served on its board for six years.