Nominated
2008

Alfred J. Audi
Alfred J. Audi (b 1938 d 2007) and his wife, Aminy, transformed L. & J.G. Stickley from a company of fewer than 25 employees into a thriving international business with three factories, 14 showrooms and more than 1,600 employees. Mr. Audi purchased the Heirloom Upholstery factory and continued to employ the workforce as Stickley Fine Upholstery. He also purchased and revitalized John Widdicomb, Cibola Leather and Madison Square. 

Nominated
2008

Wogan Stanhope Badcock, Jr.
Wogan Stanhope Badcock, Jr. (b 1932 d 1996) was president of W.S. Badcock Corporation, a company founded by his great grandfather. During his 30-year tenure, Mr. Badcock expanded the chain to more than 300 stores throughout the Southeast, providing entrepreneurial opportunities for more than 200 associate dealers in six states. He paved the way for extensive growth and innovation while maintaining the family-like atmosphere of the company.

Nominated
2008

Howard G. Haas.
Howard G. Haas (b 1924), who was president and CEO of Sealy Inc. for 19 years, increased revenues from $32 million to $550 million without the acquisition of a competitor or supplier. Mr. Haas took Sealy’s profits from slightly better than break-even to one of the highest returns in the industry. Currently an adjunct professor of Strategic Management at the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business, Mr. Haas is co-author of the best-selling book, The Leader Within.

Nominated
2008

Simon Kaplan
Simon Kaplan (b 1924), a World War II veteran, was founder and CEO of Crest Furniture, Inc., D/B/A Value City Furniture. He began with a single store and expanded to seven retail locations and four Ashley Home Stores. Mr. Kaplan also played an active role in the formation of the Furniture Marketing Group (FMG), which today has 79 members with more than 500 retail locations and a combined retail annual volume exceeding $2.5 billion.

Nominated
2008

K. Bruce Lauritsen
K. Bruce Lauritsen (b 1942 d 2007) rose from sales trainee in 1968, to president in 1989, to CEO in 1993 of Flexsteel Industries. Flexsteel’s revenues grew from $19.9 million in 1968 to $172 million in 1989 to $425 million in 2007. Mr. Lauritsen launched Flexsteel’s first in-store gallery in 1984; today there are more than 600. A member of the board of the American Home Furnishings Alliance since 2000, he joined their executive committee in 2005.

Nominated
2008

Pasquale Natuzzi
Pasquale Natuzzi (b 1940) is founder, chairman and chief designer of the Natuzzi Group, the world’s leading producer of leather sofas and Italy’s largest furniture manufacturer. Mr. Natuzzi transformed the industry by democratizing the leather sofa, a product once reserved for the elite. With revenues of 634.4 million euros and more than 8,000 employees, the Natuzzi Group today operates 12 factories worldwide. Natuzzi Americas is based in High Point, N.C.

Nominated
2008

Adrian M. Pearsall
Adrian M. Pearsall (b 1926) founded Craft Associates, which became the second largest employer in Northeastern Pennsylvania. After he and his brother sold Craft to the Lane Company, Mr. Pearsall became a partner at Comfort Designs, from which he retired in 1991. Mr. Pearsall is known for his innovative designs, including the popular beanbag chair. He recently authorized the use of his name for Craft Classics, Inspired by Adrian Pearsall, which debuted in 2006.  

Nominated
2007

George B. Cartledge, Sr.
George B. Cartledge, Sr. (b 1910 d 1997) was chairman of Grand Piano and Furniture in Roanoke, Virginia, a Top 100 Furniture Chain with 23 stores in 16 cities across Virginia, Tennessee, Maryland, and South Carolina. His accomplishments as a businessman, father, citizen, industry and commerce leader serve as a role model and guide for the home furnishings industry.

Nominated
2007

Joyce Cash Eddy
Joyce Cash Eddy (b 1929) started with a small cottage industry in 1972 and has built a multi-million dollar furniture empire influencing American homes over the past 35 years. In addition to being recognized for donating a major portion of her company’s revenues to charitable organizations, she is also known for her hand-styled, hand-painted and hand-finished product along with her development of new and unique finishes.

Nominated
2007

O. William “Bill” Fenn, Jr.
Bill Fenn, Jr.'s (b 1927) experience in the home furnishings industry spans over 30 years. He was president, chief executive officer and chief operating officer of Stanley Furniture Company and also held senior management positions with Thomasville Furniture Industries and Armstrong World Interiors prior to joining LADD as president and COO in 1982. He was named vice chairman of LADD Furniture, Inc. in January of 1990.

Nominated
2007

Sam P. Finger, Jr.
Sam Finger, Jr. (b 1916 d 2001) served as president and chairman of the board of Finger Furniture. Under his leadership, Finger Furniture became the south’s largest privately owned home furnishings retailer, achieving prominence for its many innovations in home furnishings merchandising. He originated the environmental room setting concept, where furnishings and accessories were displayed in home-like settings.

Nominated
2007

Fred Friedman
Fred Friedman (b 1942 d 2005) served as President/Chairman of Carl’s Furniture. Under Fred’s leadership and ingenuity, they grew into one of the largest furniture retailers in the country with over 500 employees and 22 stores. The company is consistently ranked among the top 100 stores by Furniture Today with projected revenues exceeding $130 million.

Nominated
2007

Mitchell Gold
Mitchell Gold (b 1951) teamed up with Bob Williams in 1989 to start The Mitchell Gold Company in rural Taylorsville, NC. With an investment of $60,000, they began making upholstered dining chairs. Today, renamed Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, the $100 million company offers upholstery, case goods, lighting, rugs, accessories, and a fine-art photography collection.

Nominated
2007

Felix Wright
Felix Wright (b 1935) believed early in life that a person’s most valuable attribute is their personal integrity. This principle of business integrity has been one of the benchmarks of Mr. Wright’s management style throughout his long career at Leggett & Platt and remains a cornerstone of the company today. Under his direction, the company has multiplied its product offerings and distribution network.