David Koehler Receives HFA Trailblazer Award for 2020

March 4, 2021  by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Industry   

The award recognizes lifetime achievement in the retail furniture business. A panel of industry experts selected Koehler based on several factors, including contributions to the industry, philanthropy, mentoring, customer experience, social responsibility, and challenges overcome.

HFA plans to honor David with an in-store celebration as COVID-19 restrictions allow, and the local community is also encouraged to congratulate their hometown retailer.

"This is no surprise to anyone. We have long admired Dave's contributions to the home furnishings industry," said Mark Schumacher, CEO of HFA. "His experience and accomplishments have truly impacted our industry and the organizations he's served over the years. To merely recognize his dedication is an understatement when you look at a career filled with exemplary leadership, innovative strategies, mentorship, and always encouraging those around him to challenge the status quo to do better, not only for the business but for the community."

For twenty years Dave worked with one of the nation's top furniture retailers, Havertys Furniture based in Atlanta Georgia, and held various management positions. Building teams and increasing performance earned Koehler an unprecedented level of respect from seasoned professionals. While serving as Assistant Vice President of Operations for Havertys, he was recognized by the industry for his outstanding performance and selected as a "Top Forty" under forty.

Taking over as CEO at Johnny Janosik in 2007, Koehler weathered the 2008 economic turndown and successfully positioned the company as a 'Top 100 Retailer', currently at number eighty-six in the industry.  With their expansion in recent years, they have seven showrooms throughout Delaware and their market reaches into five states. Dave credits his team of nearly three hundred employees for their continued success. 

Now serving as chairman, Koehler diligently worked to overcome the challenges of 2020 with the onset of COVID-19, helping Johnny Janosik reinvent their customer experience through socially responsible strategies. The constant focus on meeting the needs for improved customer experiences is always at the forefront along with a commitment to the community.

A panel of judges comprised of members of HFA's Board of Directors, HFA members, past Retailer of the Year winners, manufacturers, service providers/suppliers, and members of the industry media voted on the nominations of this prestigious HFA Trailblazer Award.