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Furniture First Elects New Board Members

Furniture World News Desk on 5/2/2016



Russell Blocker of Blocker’s Furniture in Ocala, Florida, retired from the Board of Directors after more than a dozen years of service.


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

Russell Blocker of Blocker’s Furniture in Ocala, Florida, retired from the Board of Directors after more than a dozen years of service. Furniture First Board Chairman, Art Scholet of Scholet Furniture in Oneonta, NY, presented Blocker with a plaque recognizing his years of service and contributions to the leadership of the group.

Nick Cardi, of Cardi’s Furniture in Swansea, MA also retired from the board. The remainder of his term on the board will be assumed by Beckey Waldrop of Miller Waldrop Furniture in Hobbs, NM. Waldrop has been a member of Furniture First since 2012.

Cardi’s post as Vice Chairman on the Board of Directors will be assumed by Tom Schwaab of Howell Furniture in Beaumont, TX. Schwaab joined the Board of Directors last year and he has been a member of Furniture First since 2009.

Pat Callan of Callan Furniture in Waite Park, MN, has also joined the Board of Directors. Callan has been a member of Furniture First since 2002.

The Annual Meeting also recognized Dean Swanson of Ernie’s Store in Ceresco, NE, Ed Kennedy of Great Deals on Furniture in Augusta, GA, and Henry Terk of Old Brick Furniture in Albany, NY for their service on the Board Nominating Committee as they retired from their posts.

Furniture First’s next event is just around the corner. They will hold their Annual Education Symposium at the Marriott Rivercenter in San Antonio, TX, May 16th through May 18th. This year’s event is centered around a theme of “Creating Connections, Building Bridges” and will include several new innovations, including a merchandise auction and a networking competition with a $1,000 grand prize.

More about Furniture First: Furniture First is a national “Home Furnishings and Mattress” only buying group serving the over $2 million full line independent retailer, representing $1.7 billion in retail sales. Furniture First occupies showrooms at the High Point and Las Vegas Markets, where they display products from several of the group’s approved vendors. This includes the group’s high-margin private label mattress line, Mattress 1st.For more information on Furniture First Membership, visit www.FurnitureFirst.coop/join.