Three industry leaders have been inducted the American Furniture Hall of Fame. Joining 78 Hall of Fame members are Joe Carroll, publisher of Furniture/Today; M. Farooq Kathwari, president, chairman and CEO of Ethan Allen; and Steven M. Kincaid, president of Kincaid Furniture Co.  

The international banquet was attended by nearly 400 retailers, buying group members, interior designers, manufacturers, suppliers and association leaders.  It was hosted by Libby Langdon, HGTV personality, interior designer, small space expert, and author.  

“Continuing the long tradition of the Hall of Fame, the three new members represent the highest standards, ingenuity and achievements of our industry globally,” says Donald Belgrad, president of the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation. “They are well known in our industry because they have devoted their lives to home furnishings and they are respected because for their integrity and years of service to others personally and professionally. We congratulate each of them and their families for joining the ranks of the Hall of Fame.”  

Joe Carroll (b 1939), publisher of Furniture/Today, has guided the publication into becoming the furniture and mattress industry’s news leader and definitive source of industry statistics. He was instrumental in developing several sister publications, as well as a daily e-mail news service. He helped organize and chaired the International Alliance of Furnishings Publications, which exchanges valuable industry information. He also is the author of four successful books on home furnishings design. 

M. Farooq Kathwari (b 1944), president, chairman and CEO, has been the driving force behind Ethan Allen Interiors Inc. His continual reengineering of the company has enabled Ethan Allen to maintain its leadership position as one of the most successful vertically integrated furniture company in the world with design centers globally and nine manufacturing facilities. In 2009, Mr. Kathwari directed the launching of the Ethan Allen Contract division.

Steven M. Kincaid (b 1948), president of Kincaid Furniture Co. and La-Z-Boy Casegoods, has been the driving force behind their success.  After selling Kincaid to La-Z-Boy Inc., he assumed the position of senior vice president of La-Z-Boy, and has successfully developed the case goods division of La-Z-Boy into an industry leader.  The division includes Lea Youth Furniture, Hammary and American Drew, in addition to Kincaid.  

The inductees were elected by members of the American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. based on detailed information about their professional achievements, personal standards and civic involvement.  The voting period began July 1 and ended August 24. Only members of the organization are eligible to nominate, second and vote.  

Platinum level sponsors are headlined by Aspen Homebrands, Furniture Brands International and Natuzzi Americas Inc.  

Gold sponsors were: AICO, Ashley Furniture Industries, El Dorado Furniture, Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company, La-Z-Boy, Inc. and Leggett & Platt, Inc.  

Silver sponsors were: Culp, Inc.; Flexsteel Industries, Inc.; Kingsdown, Inc.; Markor International Furniture Co., Ltd; Riverside Furniture Corp.; Stein World; Vaughn Bassett Furniture, Inc.; and Zenith Global Logistics.  

Copper sponsors were: Bassett Furniture Industries; Badcock Home Furniture & more; Donald Belgrad; Bernhardt Furniture Company; Carpenter Company; Century Furniture; City Furniture, Inc.; Havertys Furniture Companies; Hickory Furniture Mart; Home Meridian International; Hooker Furniture Corporation; International Home Furnishings Center; L. & J. G. Stickley; Lexington Home Brands; Raymour & Flanigan; Restonic Mattress Corporation; Rooms to Go; Stanley Furniture Company, Inc.; Steinreich Communications LLC; Therapedic, Inc.; Universal Leather; and Watkins and Shepard Trucking, Inc. 

The American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc. is an international, industry-wide organization founded to honor those individuals whose outstanding achievements have contributed to the continued growth and development of the U.S. furniture industry, as well as to research, collect and preserve our cultural, economic and artistic history. Membership includes eligibility to vote for inductees into the American Furniture Hall of Fame, and the opportunity to help preserve the history and heritage of the industry.  The organization is based in High Point at 202 Neal Place, and can be reached at 336.882.5900.