Industry Veteran Jerry Epperson to Transition into New Role After More Than Five Decades in the Furnishings Sector
Furniture World News Desk on
4/15/2025
Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd. (“MAE”) announced today that Wallace W. (“Jerry”) Epperson, Jr., one of the firm’s founding partners, will be transitioning into a new phase of his professional life, shifting away from a full-time work schedule to focus more on writing, research, and selective advisory work within the home furnishings industry. Epperson, who turned 77 in February, will continue contributing to the industry while spending additional time with family.
“I am extremely excited and proud to be able to attend the upcoming market in High Point, visit with my lifelong industry corporate and personal friends, attempt to continue to discuss their corporate objectives in these troubling times and to simply be in a position to enjoy my 100th High Point market with my family, industry friends and my MAE colleagues,” said Epperson.
A fixture in the furnishings industry since the early 1970s, Epperson’s career spans more than 50 years. After earning his BS in Commerce from the University of Virginia and an MBA from The College of William & Mary, along with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, he began his career as a financial analyst at Scott & Stringfellow in Richmond. He later joined Wheat, First Securities, Inc. before co-founding Mann, Armistead & Epperson in 1991.
At MAE, Epperson helped build a boutique investment banking firm known for its extensive work in the furnishings industry. His contributions have included in-depth research, transaction support, and public speaking, earning him industry recognition and several awards over the years. These include the American Home Furnishings Alliance Distinguished Service Award, “Pillar of the Industry” Award from the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association, and inclusion in Furniture Today’s “Twenty-Five Who Make a Difference.” He was inducted into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame in 2002.
Epperson is also a long-time board member of the Bienenstock Furniture Library and has contributed to countless industry publications. He plans to continue writing for outlets such as Furniture Today, the International Sleep Products Association’s Market Trends Annual Report, and The Furnishings Digest, which has been published in various forms for more than 50 years.
“Jerry has a very unique style and genuine warmth about him and is easy to make new friends, especially in the furnishings industry where he has spent most of his professional life in various capacities,” said Jimm Mann, co-founding partner of MAE. “We at MAE are pleased that Jerry is having a chance to ‘slow down’ a bit, do what he wants to do when he wants to do it while being able to focus on some of his additional passions such as family, writing, and advisory and consulting activities.”
Howard Armistead added, “It has been a great run since 1991 in building our firm with Jerry. He is an industry ICON, known by hundreds in the industry, all the way from the factory floors to the board rooms and beyond, and has been an excellent lifelong contributor, in many ways, to the furnishings industry in addition to being a business generator for our investment banking services.”
Mike Watson, Jr., a partner at MAE, stated, “This is truly an exciting day in MAE history, as we celebrate not only 34 years in business, but equally as important, the next phase for an industry leader. Jerry’s perseverance, sense of curiosity and commitment to the global furnishing industry is laudable. It has been my personal and professional pleasure to work with Jerry both inside and outside MAE for all of these years. I am excited for the next part of his journey.”
In his new role, Epperson will continue working with industry contacts, conduct demographic and trend research, and offer consulting services. He will retain his MAE email (wwe@maeltd.com) and phone number (804-363-1695) for ongoing communication.
To commemorate Epperson’s 100th High Point Market, MAE has arranged a gathering at the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame (311 South Hamilton Street) on Saturday, April 26 from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., providing an opportunity for friends, colleagues, and family to celebrate his long-standing contributions to the industry.
About Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd. (“MAE”)
MAE, an investment banking boutique firm, founded in 1991 by James M. Mann, W. Howard Armistead and Wallace, W. Epperson, Jr., is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia and specializes in investment banking transactional activities and specific industry research. The firm, while having a senior partner leading every transactional engagement, attempts to bring a highly personalized and focused approach to each corporate transaction while working closely with company management, boards of directors, legal counsel and accounting firms. The firm specializes in, but not limited to, Merger & Acquisition activities, including Sell-Side and Buy-Side Mandates, Valuations for privately owned entities, Succession Planning, other Liquidity Events, Fairness Opinions, Business Advisory Services plus Consulting & Research. The firm is a trusted and confidential advisor to closely held, founder and family-owned businesses in addition to executing transactions.