Furniture First Expands Board, Announces New Board Members

Furniture World News Desk on 4/15/2019

Pictured is Andrew Kauffman and Tom Schcwabb.

Furniture First buying group announced that it recently held it's annual business meeting and introduced three new board members, as well as the new executive committee of the board. Based on recent strategic planning sessions, two seats were added to the board for more committee involvement and engagement.

Tom Schwaab of Howell Furniture in Beaumont, TX was recognized for his service as Chairman of the board during the meeting. Chris Cooley of Michael Alan Home Furnishings in Lake Havasu, AZ is the Chairman of the board. Completing the executive committee are Eric Sinclair of Montgomery’s Furniture, Madison, SD as Vice Chairman, Todd Lehman of INTERIORS HOME, Lancaster, PA as Secretary, and Pat Callan of Callan Furniture, Waite Park, MN as Treasurer.

Retailer Art Scholet, Scholet Furniture in Oneonta, New York, retired from the board of directors after ten years of service. He was recognized for his contributions to the board at the group’s twenty-fifth anniversary gala held the previous Saturday.

Joining the board are Mike Moss, Bear’s Furniture & Mattress in Franklin, PA; Jack Steger, Steger’s Furniture in Pekin, IL; and Beckey Waldrop, Miller Waldrop Furniture & Décor in Hobbs, NM. The full roster of board members is as follows:

• Chris Cooley, Chairman                 Michael Alan Furniture & Design, Lake Havasu, AZ
  
  
• Eric Sinclair, Vice Chairman          Montgomery’s Furniture, Madison, SD
  
  
• Todd Lehman, Secretary               INTERIORS HOME, Lancaster, PA
  
  
• Pat Callan, Treasurer                      Callan Furniture, Waite Park, MN
  
  
• Mike Albert                                       Pilgrim Furniture City, Southington, CT  
  
  
• Randy Coconis                                 Coconis Furniture, South Zanesville, OH
  
  
• Lisa Hawkins                                     Room to Room, Tupelo, MS
  
  
• Larry Mark                                        Furniture Warehouse Design Gallery, Beaufort, SC
  
  
• Mike Moss                                        Bear’s Furniture & Mattress, Franklin, PA
  
  
• Matt Meusey                                    Wagner’s Furniture & Design, Missoula, MT
  
  
• Tom Schwaab                                   Howell Furniture, Beaumont, TX
  
  
• Jack Steger                                        Steger’s Furniture, Pekin, IL
  
  
• Beckey Waldrop                              Miller Waldrop Furniture & Décor, Hobbs, NM
  
  

“We are fortunate to work with such a great group of outstanding retailers on our board” said Andrew Kauffman, CEO of Furniture First. “They really care about the success of their fellow members and the Furniture First staff.”

About Furniture First: Furniture First is a cooperative national home furnishings and mattress buying group serving full line independent retailers with sales over $2 million. A recent analysis found that collectively the group sells $2.5 billion at retail with their approved merchandise programs in the 501-member storefronts. Furniture First occupies showrooms in High Point (IHFC G-770) and Las Vegas (B530) where they display products from several of the group’s approved vendors. For more information,  visit www.FurnitureFirst.coop/join or call 800-411-3477.