Lebensburger, Blumkin, Root to Receive Top IHFRA Awards

February 6, 2017  by Larry Thomas in Industry, Special Events   

The organization said Lebensburger, Ashley’s president of sales, will receive the Pillar of the Industry Award, while Blumkin will be honored as Retailer of the Year.

Root will receive the group’s Distinguished Service Award, the highest honor IHFRA bestows on one of its members.

The three will be honored on Monday, April 24 at the Koury Convention Center in Greensboro, N.C.

Lebensburger joined Ashley in 1993 as vice president of case goods.  In 1995, he helped develop the company's venture into the stationary upholstery business.  In 1997 he was named president of this new division, a position he held until 2005, when he became president of sales for all three of the company's divisions.

In his current post, he oversees the product sales to retail and rental channels of distribution in the United States and Canada. This includes the Ashley sales force and sales management, the marketing programs to support those channels, and participating in the product development for those channels.  

Blumkin got an early start in the home furnishings business, as he began working in his family’s business in Omaha Neb., at age 8. He was guided by his grandmother, the legendary Rose Blumkin, and his father, Louie, to learn all areas of the business.

After earning his business degree from the University of Arizona, Irv returned to Omaha and the family business in 1975.

Root is president of Furniture Sales of Mid-America, a furniture wholesale and rep company in the Midwest and Rocky Mountain states. For the past 25 years, he has represented various factories, including Progressive Furniture, Hughes Furniture, Cozzia Massage Products, and Woodcrest Bunkbeds. 

He served on the Executive Committee of IHFRA, helping double membership during his time on the board.  Mike served on all positions on the committee including president and chairman of the board.