Doug Brackett Retiring From AFMA After 35 Years

Furniture World News

After serving the furniture industry for more than 35 years, Douglas L. Brackett is retiring at the end of this month as executive vice president of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association. Brackett has been in his current position at AFMA since 1984 when the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Association and the National Association of Furniture Manufacturers consolidated to form AFMA, and he was named executive vice president. He started his furniture industry career in 1966 at the SFMA, where he served as director of manufacturing services, membership director, secretary and vice president. Among the highlights of Brackett's AFMA career was his receipt of the Association's prestigious Distinguished Service Award in 1990. In presenting the award, the late J. Smith Young of Lexington Furniture said, "Doug Brackett is a leader and guiding force in our industry. He not only works hard with commitment and strong conviction but consideration and kindness. The strength of our Association is due entirely to his constant and untiring efforts, and the path ahead has been charted by his vision and forthrightness for the benefit of all of us." A native of Lawndale, N.C., Brackett received a B.S. degree in business from High Point College after serving in the U.S. Army. He had planned a career as a certified public accountant, but accepted the position at SFMA and never looked back. He is active in his church and is involved in a number of civic and professional organizations. Following retirement, he is looking forward to spending more time in his yard, reading, watching sports and traveling with his wife, Pat. Andy Counts, currently AFMA's vice president of environmental affairs, succeeds Brackett as executive vice president on Jan. 1.