Las Vegas Market: Ashley's Ron Wanek honored at showroom event
Longtime retailer presents him with limited-edition artwork
Gary Evans -- Furniture Today, February 2, 2010
 Ashley Chairman Ron Wanek, third from left, receives a gift of patriotic artwork from Paul Lannoye, fourth from left, of Regency Home Furniture, El Paso, Texas. Also at the presentation are Martin Reyes, left, Bob Lachenmaier, Jan McClure, Greg Weix, Paul Cozza and Kris Parks, all of Ashley. |
One of Ashley's long-time customers, Regency Home Furniture in El Paso, Texas, and its owner, Paul Lannoye, presented Wanek with a series of limited-edition, patriotic prints signed by Linda Hensen, an artist in Castle Rock, Wash.
The gift included a print of DetermiNation, which depicts an American eagle lifting a war-torn American flag.
Lannoye said he wanted to present the gifts because of Wanek's patriotism. The Ashley executive was the driving force behind the creation of a park in the company's hometown of Arcadia, Wis., which is filled with military monuments sculpted by Wanek. The park also contains one of the steel beams from the World Trade Center.
One of the limited-edition prints presented by Lannoye was inscribed "To Ron Wanek, a true patriot. God has blessed America because of people like you."
The showroom presentation also included the Texas flag, flown over the Alamo on Jan. 26 in Wanek's honor.
Wanek, surprised and obviously touched by the event, said the art will be displayed at the company's welcome center in Arcadia.
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