Former Roche Bobois CEO Michael Lerner dies at 75

Furniture Today Staff -- Furniture Today, October 8, 2012

MANHASSET, N.Y. — Michael Lerner, a former sales representative and retail executive, has died after a yearlong fight with cancer. He was 75.

Lerner joined Founders Furniture in the mid 1960s as a sales rep. He then spent 15 years with Bernhardt covering the New York City territory before joining Hickory Mfg. for a decade.

In 1989, Lerner was named vice president of high-end European contemporary retailer Roche-Bobois USA, rising to president and CEO. He retired from the company in 2005 to become a furniture consultant and was active in the industry until about one month ago.

A memorial service will be held after this week's High Point Market.