Longtime Sales Rep Emmet Root to Receive IHFRA Icon Award

February 21, 2018  by Larry Thomas in Industry, Special Events   

The award, which recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the industry throughout their career and has displayed leadership traits to guide and mentor younger individuals, will be presented April 16 during IHFRA’s annual Furniture Industry Awards Gala.

During his career, the 84-year-old Root has attended more than 250 national furniture markets – his first being the Hickory/Lenoir, N.C., market in 1957, when he joined his father’s sales representative firm.

He founded his own firm, Furniture Sales of Mid-America, in 1963. Currently, he represents Progressive Furniture, Cozzia, Hughes Furniture, and Woodcrest.

While selling on the road, Root was also involved in many other aspects of the industry, and was a furniture distributor with warehouses in Omaha, Neb., and Denver, where his company was one of the first importers of Asian products in the 1970's.

Over his career, he also has had interests in furniture retail stores, furniture leasing, rent-to-own stores, and an unfinished furniture factory.

In the early 1990's, his son Mike joined Furniture Sales of Mid-America.  Together they expanded the company to call on retailers in more than 15 states west of the Mississippi. In 2008, Emmet's grandson Jay joined the firm, making it one of the only sales rep firms with three generations actively working.

For more information on the April 16 awards gala, contact the IHFRA Office at 336-889-3920 or email info@ihfra.org.  Text FIAG to 80258 for event updates and Reservation Form.