Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
HFB Reveals the Forty Under 40 Class of 2022
July 18,
2022 by Laurie Northington in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry 
Leading industry trade magazine Home Furnishings Business (HFB) has announced the honorees of its annual Forty Under 40. The premier recognition program, sponsored by Storis and CommerceBear, includes outstanding individuals from the home furnishings community whose actions and leadership are driving the industry forward through their commitment to professional excellence, business growth, and the communities in which they serve.
Each year, an outstanding group of under 40s are nominated by their peers to be selected for the Forty Under 40. The purpose is to call attention to the best and brightest up and comers in the industry. The mission is to recognize and celebrate the spirit inherent in these movers and shakers as they help position themselves and their companies for a successful future.
“The HFB Forty Under 40 puts a spotlight on the strength of young professionals,” said Bob George, publisher and editor in chief of HFB. "We started this initiative nearly a decade ago because we feel it is important to recognize these individuals and the work they do for the companies and communities in which they live and work. They truly are the next generation and the future of our industry, and we applaud them for their tenacity, fresh thinking and commitment, especially during such challenging times.”
Culled from a impressive slate of nominations, the Class of 2022 has championed the theme— Rising to the Challenge, Leading the Change.
“This year’s theme is incredibly fitting,” said Doug Culmone, president and COO of Storis. “Our industry’s leaders have not only risen to market challenges, but they have also determined sustainable paths forward for the home furnishings industry. Their contributions to the industry propel us all forward. Congratulations to all of this year’s honorees.”
Now in its ninth year, the program continues to be a way to support, celebrate, and connect the home furnishings community. The prestigious recognition has a strong impact on the honorees—boosting morale, accelerating career growth, expanding professional networks and increasing company loyalty.
“We applaud the tremendous achievements of the Class of 2022,” said Sam Vlessing, founder and CEO of CommerceBear. They are results driven innovators who have pushed for improvement in their efforts to achieve success. This group of young leaders will continue to play a pivotal role in defining the future of the industry.”
In honor of the inductees of the Class of 2022, a slideshow is available on HFB’s website at http://hfbusiness.com/FortyUnder40/FortyUnder402022. In addition to the slideshow, the July/August issue of the magazine is dedicated to the Class of 2022 and their achievements. Honorees will also be recognized and celebrated at a reception held during the High Point Fall Market, Oct. 22-26, 2022.
The Forty Under 40 is sponsored by Storis, a leading provider of integrated commerce solutions for furniture, bedding and appliance retailers, and CommerceBear, a multichannel selling platform for furniture makers to grow their revenue.