Don Marks dies at 62
Helped remake Badcock organization
By Clint Engel -- Furniture Today, October 12, 2009
MULBERRY, Fla. — Don Marks, the first non-Badcock family member to lead Badcock Home Furniture & more, who was credited with remaking the Top 100 company's image and operations, died Oct. 3 after battling cancer. He was 62.
Marks, who retired as president and CEO at the end of 2008, joined Mulberry, Fla.-based Badcock in 1998. In the first eight years of his tenure, he led the more than 300-store company to a 280% increase in profits, according to information from the National Home Furnishings Assn.
Marks also is credited with bringing about new marketing practices and a new store image for Badcock with the “& more” concept, which “helped to bring Badcock into the 21st century with a fresh approach to merchandising and unified store design,” the company said.
He also led the company on a multimillion-dollar overhaul of its supply chain management systems during a crucial period, just before the global economic slowdown.
Even after retirement, Badcock said Marks remained a valued advisor to the corporation, serving on its board. He also served on the American Furniture Hall of Fame board from 2007 to 2009 and this year was recognized as the NHFA's Retailer of the Year among companies with annual sales of more than $10 million.
A native of Southern California, Marks graduated from UCLA with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Before joining Badcock, he held executive positions with companies such as McDonald's, Pepsico, Rent-A-Center and Thorn.
“We were real fortunate he landed in St. Petersburg (Fla.) and decided to bless us with his experience,” said Wogie Badcock, executive vice president of public affairs. “He had vision. He was a strategic planner. He would back up everything he said. He was just an outstanding retailer, and he came to us with a lot of knowledge in the retail industry.”
Marks' charitable and community involvement included Ronald McDonald House, United Way and City of Hope. In 2005, he received the City of Hope's Spirit of Life Award. He also was an avid drag racer, traveling the country to compete on the dragster circuit.
At this week's High Point Market, City of Hope will host a tribute in remembrance of Marks from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, in the lobby of the Center Point building, 401 S. Hamilton St. Living Gift forms will be available for anyone wishing to contribute to City of Hope in memory of Marks.
Contributions also may be made online to City of Hope (www.cityofhope.org) or The Hospice Foundation (www.thehospicefoundation.org/Page.aspx?pid=183).
Marks is survived by his wife, Teena, five children and five grandchildren.
Badcock is No 18 on Furniture/Today's Top 100 with estimated furniture, bedding and accessories sales last year of $393.2 million at 320 promotional to midpriced stores across the Southeast.
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