Furniture First Elects New Board of Directors Members

Furniture World News Desk on 5/2/2015

Furniture First Buying Group reported that it recently held elections for positions on the Board of Directors to replace two outgoing members. During Furniture First’s General Membership & Annual Meeting at the April High Point Market, the nominees were approved by a vote of acclamation.

Larry Mark of Furniture Warehouse Design Gallery in Beaufort, SC and Tom Schwaab of Howell Furniture in Beaumont, TX were elected as the newest members of the Board of Directors. Each will serve a two-year term. Retiring Board members were Ken Paul of FrontRoom Furnishings in Columbus, OH and Richard Talsma of Talsma Furniture in Hudsonville, MI. Both were presented with plaques recognizing their contributions to the group. Retiring Chairman Mike Kordik was also presented with a plaque in appreciation of his service.

The following slate of nominees were reinstated as members of the Board of Directors, and will serve a two-year term: Nick Cardi of Cardi’s Furniture, Swansea, MA; Chris Cooley of Michael Alan Furnishings, Lake Havasu City, AZ; Art Scholet of Scholet Furniture, Oneonta, NY.

Current Board members with one year terms remaining include Russell Blocker of Blocker’s Furniture, Ocala, FL; Randy Coconis of Coconis Furniture, South Zanesville, OH; Ron Deets of Deets HomeStore, Norfolk, NE; Mike Kordik of Mike’s Furniture in Joliet, IL; Eric Sinclair of Mongomery’s Furniture, Sioux Falls, SD and Steve Kloss of The Tin Shed, Highland, IL.

Officers were appointed by the Board following the vote. The new Chairman is Art Scholet and the new Vice Chairman is Nick Cardi. Chris Cooley will continue in her role as Secretary and Steve Kloss is the new Treasurer.

During the buying group’s General Membership Meeting, Ultra Comfort presented Furniture First with an award recognizing five years of quality partnership. More than 60% of Furniture First retailers carry the lift chair line. Ultra Comfort Vice President of Sales Bob Smith presented the plaque to Furniture First president Bill Hartman, Director of Upholstery and Home Décor Liz McGoldrick and outgoing Board Chairman Mike Kordik.

Furniture First was founded in 1994 and today the group is comprised of 218 independent retailers with 460 stores in 47 states. Furniture First is a national “Home Furnishings and Mattress” only buying group serving full line independent retailers representing $1.7 billion in retail sales. For more information on Furniture First, please call Bill Hartman at 800-411-3477, ext. 123 or email BHartman@FurnitureFirst.com.