Six industry leaders nominated for Furniture Hall of Fame

New members to be inducted at October High Point Market

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, July 1, 2009

Manuel Capo

Joe Carrol

Farooq Kathwari

Steve Kincaid

Ralph Stump

Richard J Udouj

HIGH POINT — Six industry leaders have been nominated for election to the American Furniture Hall of Fame for 2009, the Hall of Fame Foundation announced today.

"Distinctive leadership, vision and dedicated service characterize this year's six nominees," said Don Belgrad, president of the foundation. "Each of these individuals, nominated by their peers, has made a positive, lasting impact on the home furnishings industry."

Foundation members, who suggested the nominees, will vote through Aug. 15 on who should be included in the Hall of Fame. New members will be officially inducted at the annual banquet Oct. 18 during the High Point Market. To make banquet reservations, call (336) 882-5900.

The nominees are:

• Manuel Capó, who has grown his family business, Miami Gardens, Fla.-based El Dorado Furniture, into one of the largest U.S. furniture stores, ranking No. 47 on Furniture/Today's latest Top 100 ranking with total 2008 revenues of $137 million. As CEO, he has championed exceptional customer service, targeting ethnic markets, offering same-day delivery, promoting the store as a brand and giving back to the community and industry. His seven sons work at the company with him, along with 10 of his 20 grandchildren.
• Joseph F. Carroll, publisher of Furniture/Today, who has helped the publication become the furniture and mattress industry's news leader and definitive source of industry statistics. He was instrumental in developing several sister publications, as well as a daily e-mail news service. He helped organize and chaired the International Alliance of Furnishings Publications, which exchanges industry information, and is the author of four successful books on home furnishings design.
• M. Farooq Kathwari, president, chairman and CEO of Ethan Allen Interiors, who has been the driving force behind the manufacturer and retailer's continual re-engineering, enabling it to remain one of the most successful vertically integrated furniture companies in the world. This year, he directed the launch of the Ethan Allen Contract division.
• Steven M. Kincaid, president of manufacturer Kincaid Furniture. After selling Kincaid to La-Z-Boy, he became senior vice president of La-Z-Boy and has successfully developed the company's case goods division, which in addition to Kincaid includes Lea Inds., Hammary and American Drew.
• J. Ralph Stump, chairman emeritus of the Stump Corp. and Stump & Co., whose companies have facilitated successful sales and acquisitions of more than 500 furniture companies over nearly half a century. He began his career with the William Iselin Co., where he provided initial capital to many future industry leaders and built a book of business that grew to more than $8 billion in factored sales. In 1974, he founded Stump Financial Corp.
• Richard J. Udouj Sr., former president and CEO of Riverside Furniture. In his 30 years at the Arkansas-based manufacturer, he helped transform the business from a regional producer to a nationally recognized company, growing annual sales from $2 million in 1959 to nearly $90 million at the time of his retirement in 1989. Udouj also led numerous industry associations and was instrumental in the merger of the National Furniture Manufacturers Assn. and the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Assn.