American Furniture Hall of Fame inducts 3

Joe Carroll, Farooq Kathwari, Steve Kincaid honored

Jay McIntosh -- Furniture Today, October 19, 2009

Joe Carroll

HIGH POINT — Joe Carroll of Furniture/Today, Farooq Kathwari of Ethan Allen and Steve Kincaid of Kincaid Furniture were inducted Sunday into the American Furniture Hall of Fame.

While each man has made his mark leading a company, each also has worked extensively within the industry and his community.

They were honored last night during the High Point Market at a banquet attended by nearly 400 industry members, hosted by HGTV personality, interior designer and author Libby Langdon.

"Continuing the long tradition of the Hall of Fame, the three new members represent the highest standards, ingenuity and achievements of our industry globally," said Don Belgrad, president of the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation. "They are well known in our

Farooq Kathwari

industry because they have devoted their lives to home furnishings and they are respected because for their integrity and years of service to others personally and professionally. We congratulate each of them and their families for joining the ranks of the Hall of Fame."

Carroll, longtime publisher of Furniture/Today, has guided the publication into becoming the furniture and mattress industry's news leader and definitive source of industry statistics, according to the Hall of Fame. 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 books on home furnishings design.

Kathwari is president, chairman and CEO of Ethan Allen and has been the driving force behind the manufacturer and retailer. His continual reengineering of the company has

Steve Kincaid

enabled 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.

Kincaid is president of Kincaid Furniture Co., and after the sale of the company to La-Z-Boy, also became senior vice president of that company and has developed the case goods division of La-Z-Boy into an industry leader. In addition to Kincaid, the division includes Lea, Hammary and American Drew.

The inductees were elected by members of the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation Inc. based on detailed information about their professional achievements, personal standards and civic involvement.