Hall of Fame Foundation Elects Gat Caperton to Board

May 15, 2020  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

Caperton is CEO of Gat Creek, an award-winning manufacturer of solid-wood home furniture that employs over 150 artisans in Berkeley Springs, W.V. The company sells its branded products through more than 200 independent retail stores and does proprietary manufacturing for several national retailers.

“Gat brings an abundance of knowledge and leadership, as well as an admirable commitment to service to the Hall of Fame board,” says Martin Ploy, president of the Foundation Board of Directors, and president of AICO/Amini Innovation Corp. “Gat’s innovative spirit and enthusiasm will be assets to our industry’s most diverse board, which includes retailers and manufacturers of furniture, home accents, bedding and fabrics as well as industry service providers.”

Caperton, who acquired the 50-year-old company, originally Tom Seely Furniture, in 1996 from its founder, made an early and steadfast commitment to lean manufacturing and environmental sustainability. He is the immediate past chair of the American Home Furnishings Alliance Board of Directors and vice chair of the Shepherd University Board of Governors. He helped found and serves as treasurer on the board of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, and is the designated consumer member on the Board of  Directors of the Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc. Caperton recently completed a four-year chairmanship of the Board of Directors of the Natural Capital Investment Fund, a $45 million fund that provides flexible financing to small and emerging natural resource-based businesses primarily located in the Appalachian region.