Gerald Birnbach

(b. 1931)

Gerald Birnbach worked as the tireless leader of Rowe Furniture Company for more than 50 years. Starting as a salesman for the New England territory in 1956, he rose through the ranks to become chairman of Rowe Furniture Corporation in 1976, growing the upholstery manufacturer into a $360 million public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange before it was sold to Sun Capital in 2007. Committed to domestic manufacturing in Virginia and Missouri, he had an eye for fashion and a penchant for building relationships with his team, retailers and consumers.

His vision was to offer the consumer choice through color, freshness and fashion; good value; and speedy delivery, always with an eye on progressive merchandising and mentoring his people. A great observer of the industry with a background in retail at Filene’s department store, Mr. Birnbach would spend every weekend in furniture stores, sitting and watching consumers to discern what they were looking for, in order to teach those lessons to his team and to generously share information among non-competing dealers. The retail floor, he believed, should be a magical place of ideas and experiences to inspire the consumer.

His personal research led him to identify changing distribution channels and the developing trend towards the popularity of transitional contemporary lifestyle environments embraced by younger consumers. With a vision to create a vertical operation, the company opened Rowe Showplace, which became Home Elements, an 18-store upholstery and case goods retail chain. In 1998, Rowe expanded its portfolio by purchasing The Mitchell Gold Company of fashionably styled upholstery, and the Wexford Collection of antique pine case goods. One year later, the company acquired the 42-store retail chain, Storehouse, growing the retail division into a $160 million business with 70 stores in 14 states.

Mr. Birnbach always insisted on solid manufacturing principles, requiring U.S.- based manufacturing, thereby ensuring hundreds of domestic jobs during a period of economic upheaval. As a result, Rowe Furniture gained a reputation as a special-order house, delivering value, speed and selection.

As a man who leads by example, Mr. Birnbach has contributed to the University of Maryland, the United Jewish Appeal and the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad, among others. He has also been a regular supporter of the Hebrew Home of Greater Washington and helped establish the Slotnick Foundation to provide underprivileged students with college scholarships.

Manuel Capo

(b. 1925 d. 2009)

With a strong sense of family and unwavering commitment to the community, Manuel Capó grew his family business, El Dorado Furniture, into one of the top 50 of more than 35,000 furniture stores in the United States. Focusing on a corporate goal of becoming the number one furniture retailer in the nation, Mr. Capó maintained the personal touch that has characterized El Dorado Furniture for over 40 years. As a leader in the industry, Mr. Capó also became a symbol of giving back, especially to children and their families in South Florida.

The beginnings of El Dorado Furniture date back three generations to Cuba in the 1920s. Mr. Capó’s father, Simon, traded farm products for used furniture, which he restored and then sold. He eventually grew the business to a chain of five furniture stores, Casa Capó, which by 1950 was one of Cuba’s largest furniture enterprises. When Fidel Castro came into power, Simon Capó’s stores were taken from him, and in1966, he and two of his sons fled Cuba in a small sailboat christened El Dorado. They obtained political refugee status in the United States, and Simon Capó opened a store named after the boat that brought them to freedom.

As chief executive officer of El Dorado Furniture, Manuel Capó continued his father’s legacy of entrepreneurship and integrity. He captured the confidence and trust of South Florida customers, especially those in the Cuban community. He led the charge in exceptional customer service, targeting ethnic markets, offering same-day delivery, promoting the store as a brand and giving back to the community and industry. Among Mr. Capó’s unique concepts are showrooms designed around a Boulevard—a nostalgic main street with realistic building facades, old-fashioned street lamps and benches—which opens into individual, specialized furniture galleries.

El Dorado epitomizes the definition of a successful family business. All seven of Mr. Capó’s sons worked side-by-side with him, along with 10 of his 20 grandchildren. Mr. Capó instilled in his family a passion for helping others. The company actively works with charities including Miami Children’s Hospital, March of Dimes, League Against Cancer, Habitat for Humanity, Amigos for Kids, American Red Cross and City of Hope. For the company’s 40th anniversary, Mr. Capó and his family celebrated by furnishing the homes of 40 needy South Florida families.

Thomas Day

(b. 1801 d. 1861)

Thomas Day, business owner, master craftsman and free black, was a leading Southern furniture designer and maker prior to the Civil War. Known for his distinctive19th century mahogany and rosewood Rococo, Gothic and Greek Revival furniture and interior architectural elements, his designs were commissioned for massive plantation homes and public buildings. Now considered highly prized antiques collected by individuals, historic organizations and educational institutions, the North Carolina Museum of History recently opened an exhibit of approximately 70 of his works, “Behind the Veneer: Thomas Day, Master Cabinetmaker” and a second book has just been published about his life and work.

Mr. Day’s career blossomed with innovation and creativity. He was a keen entrepreneur in a society which imposed restrictive laws on free men of color. In 1827, he purchased land in Milton, North Carolina, the site of a major tobacco inspection warehouse. He took advantage of the new prosperity there and set up shop on Main Street, innovatively adding storefront windows looking into a showroom display of his fine furniture, ranging from clean styling to his signature ornate designs with scrollwork filigree and flared feet. Over the next 30 years, Mr. Day grew his shop into the largest of its kind in the State of North Carolina. He expanded his business vertically, purchasing undeveloped land for its native walnut, tulip poplar and yellow pine lumber and tightly monitored the manufacturing processes. By 1853, his shop achieved total mechanization through steam power, enabling him to fulfill large furniture orders.

Mr. Day danced a fine line as a free person of color living in the racially polarized antebellum South. He employed both white and black workers, and like many community leaders of the era, he owned slaves. He was known to keep enslaved families together and was a man of great faith. His integrity and work ethic earned him a solid reputation in his community, even being addressed as Mr. Day and allowed to sit with the white congregation of his church rather than in the segregated balcony.

The extraordinary talent of Thomas Day in the pre-Civil War South had a lasting impact on the piedmont North Carolina and Virginia. Historically, his artistic contributions were almost immediately recognized after his death in 1861. Much of his architectural carvings have been carefully restored and preserved in more than 80buildings and his furniture is actively sought today by private collectors and public institutions.

Darrell Harris

(b. 1943)

For more than 40 years, the mission of Darrell and Stella Harris has been to provide a world-class shopping experience for quality home furnishings through a commitment to excellence, and integrity in value and service. Guided by principles of respect, responsibility, trust and empowerment, Furnitureland South has grown from a one-man furniture sales operation to the world’s largest retail home furnishings showplace, an international furniture destination and an industry standard.

In 1969, the business started with just a few catalogs and samples, and one old truck. Mr. Harris sold, delivered and serviced the furniture, while Mrs. Harris handled the administrative duties. In 1977, they purchased their first retail showroom, a 17,000-square-foot store. The company continued to expand, and in 1990 relocated and consolidated all operations from central High Point to their current location on Business85. In 1999, Furnitureland South made history with the opening of a 500,000-squarefootstore and an iconic world’s tallest highboy on the façade. Today, Furnitureland South boasts 1.3 million square feet of showroom space, representing more than 500name-brand manufacturers and spanning a broad spectrum of both design and price points. The retailer has shipped approximately $2.7 billion in home furnishings to consumers in the United States and more than 50 countries.

Darrell and Stella Harris have focused on adding value for the consumer and were early pioneers in moving from warehouse-style displays to styled vignettes. As the company has grown, they have added shopping amenities for their customers, including full-service restaurant, a coffee house, and a shopper’s lounge. They were among the first to add a “green” furniture gallery and to promote sustainable practices.

Philanthropic projects through the years have included the Alzheimer’s Association, American Red Cross, Brenner Children’s Hospital, Greensboro Urban Ministries, Green Street Baptist Church, Habitat for Humanity, High Point Christian Academy, High Point Community Foundation, High Point Open Door Shelter, High Point Women’s Shelter, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Leslie’s House, Meals on Wheels, Christmas Senior Adoption Program, North Carolina Baptist Children’s Home, Operation Angel Tree, Ronald McDonald House, Salvation Army, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Victory Junction Gang Camp, and the Wounded Warrior Project. They post Amber Alerts on their highway signage to help locate missing children and have furnished a home on Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

Stella Harris

(b. 1945)

For more than 40 years, the mission of Darrell and Stella Harris has been to provide a world-class shopping experience for quality home furnishings through a commitment to excellence, and integrity in value and service. Guided by principles of respect, responsibility, trust and empowerment, Furnitureland South has grown from a one-man furniture sales operation to the world’s largest retail home furnishings showplace, an international furniture destination and an industry standard.

In 1969, the business started with just a few catalogs and samples, and one old truck. Mr. Harris sold, delivered and serviced the furniture, while Mrs. Harris handled the administrative duties. In 1977, they purchased their first retail showroom, a 17,000-square-foot store. The company continued to expand, and in 1990 relocated and consolidated all operations from central High Point to their current location on Business85. In 1999, Furnitureland South made history with the opening of a 500,000-squarefootstore and an iconic world’s tallest highboy on the façade. Today, Furnitureland South boasts 1.3 million square feet of showroom space, representing more than 500name-brand manufacturers and spanning a broad spectrum of both design and price points. The retailer has shipped approximately $2.7 billion in home furnishings to consumers in the United States and more than 50 countries.

Darrell and Stella Harris have focused on adding value for the consumer and were early pioneers in moving from warehouse-style displays to styled vignettes. As the company has grown, they have added shopping amenities for their customers, including full-service restaurant, a coffee house, and a shopper’s lounge. They were among the first to add a “green” furniture gallery and to promote sustainable practices.

Philanthropic projects through the years have included the Alzheimer’s Association, American Red Cross, Brenner Children’s Hospital, Greensboro Urban Ministries, Green Street Baptist Church, Habitat for Humanity, High Point Christian Academy, High Point Community Foundation, High Point Open Door Shelter, High Point Women’s Shelter, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Leslie’s House, Meals on Wheels, Christmas Senior Adoption Program, North Carolina Baptist Children’s Home, Operation Angel Tree, Ronald McDonald House, Salvation Army, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Victory Junction Gang Camp, and the Wounded Warrior Project. They post Amber Alerts on their highway signage to help locate missing children and have furnished a home on Extreme Makeover Home Edition.

George Massood

(b. 1927)

For more than 50 years, Michael and George Massood worked hand-in-hand with the home furnishings industry to deliver furniture with great efficiency, based on their commitment to excellence and integrity.

The Massood brothers got their start in New Jersey in the 1940s working as produce deliverymen for the family business. Together they expanded their father’s business by forming relationships with local furniture dealers. In 1952, Michael and George formed MGM Transport as a railcar distributor in the greater New York City area. Through word-of-mouth and their sharp business sense, the company grew to be one of the Northeast’s premier railcar distributors with more than 700 employees and over $60 million in annual revenue. In 1975, Michael and George navigated the intense deregulation of the trucking industry by opening a small warehouse operation in HighPoint, North Carolina. A pivotal move for both MGM and the furniture industry, the North Carolina operation changed the model for delivery of product and further enabled the company to offer their customers timely, affordable and reliable deliveries.

The Massoods spearheaded innovative concepts, including a consolidation system from manufacturers to retailers at lower fees; assembly and repair facilities for foreign manufacturers; barcode technology to ensure accurate movement of goods; web-based tracking of shipments for retailers; a quick ship program to expedite deliveries; a national consolidation center for Sears to deliver furniture nationwide; a customer-focused warehouse program; the incorporation of air-ride suspension trailers to minimize product damage; and a cross-regional distribution system, making Southern-made furniture accessible in the Northern states.

Religious men with great passion for whatever they do, the Massoods are actively involved in industry associations, and support numerous humanitarian and charitable organizations. Awards include the International Home Furnishings Assoc. Pillar of the Industry Award, City of Hope National Home Furnishings Industry Man of the Year Award, the Anti-Defamation League Lifetime Achievement Award and recognition by the Greater New York Home Furnishings Assoc. and New Jersey Home Furnishings Assoc.

Board service includes the American Home Furnishings Assoc., National Home Furnishings Assoc., Southern Furnishings Manufacturers Assoc., N.J. Furniture Assoc., Metropolitan Furnishings Assoc., N.J. Department of Transportation, Specialized Furniture Carriers Assoc., N.J. Trucking Assoc., American Trucking Assoc., N.J. Environmental Development Commission and International Federation of Transportation Assoc.

The Massoods also have been active contributors to several Catholic charities and hospitals.

Michael Massood

(b. 1924)

For more than 50 years, Michael and George Massood worked hand-in-hand with the home furnishings industry to deliver furniture with great efficiency, based on their commitment to excellence and integrity.

The Massood brothers got their start in New Jersey in the 1940s working as produce deliverymen for the family business. Together they expanded their father’s business by forming relationships with local furniture dealers. In 1952, Michael and George formed MGM Transport as a railcar distributor in the greater New York City area. Through word-of-mouth and their sharp business sense, the company grew to be one of the Northeast’s premier railcar distributors with more than 700 employees and over $60 million in annual revenue. In 1975, Michael and George navigated the intense deregulation of the trucking industry by opening a small warehouse operation in HighPoint, North Carolina. A pivotal move for both MGM and the furniture industry, the North Carolina operation changed the model for delivery of product and further enabled the company to offer their customers timely, affordable and reliable deliveries.

The Massoods spearheaded innovative concepts, including a consolidation system from manufacturers to retailers at lower fees; assembly and repair facilities for foreign manufacturers; barcode technology to ensure accurate movement of goods; web-based tracking of shipments for retailers; a quick ship program to expedite deliveries; a national consolidation center for Sears to deliver furniture nationwide; a customer-focused warehouse program; the incorporation of air-ride suspension trailers to minimize product damage; and a cross-regional distribution system, making Southern-made furniture accessible in the Northern states.

Religious men with great passion for whatever they do, the Massoods are actively involved in industry associations, and support numerous humanitarian and charitable organizations. Awards include the International Home Furnishings Assoc. Pillar of the Industry Award, City of Hope National Home Furnishings Industry Man of the Year Award, the Anti-Defamation League Lifetime Achievement Award and recognition by the Greater New York Home Furnishings Assoc. and New Jersey Home Furnishings Assoc.

Board service includes the American Home Furnishings Assoc., National Home Furnishings Assoc., Southern Furnishings Manufacturers Assoc., N.J. Furniture Assoc., Metropolitan Furnishings Assoc., N.J. Department of Transportation, Specialized Furniture Carriers Assoc., N.J. Trucking Assoc., American Trucking Assoc., N.J. Environmental Development Commission and International Federation of Transportation Assoc.

The Massoods also have been active contributors to several Catholic charities and hospitals.

Robert “Bob” Timberlake

(b. 1937)

In 1990, Bob Timberlake, an internationally recognized artist who has become a brand, partnered with Lexington Home Brands to create, “The World of Bob Timberlake.” Now topping more than $1 billion in furniture sales, his coordinated lifestyle displays have spanned seven collections, including 18th Century, Arts and Crafts, English Cottage and Irish Cottage, thus laying the foundation for theme-based furniture collections that today are popular throughout the industry. In 2006, he invested in Linwood Furniture in Linwood, N.C., in order to ensure that the furniture bearing his name would continue to be manufactured domestically.

Mr. Timberlake’s licensed products reflect his sportsmanship, personality and love for his family and span across 20 categories including furniture, textiles, wall décor, floor coverings, lighting, tabletop, gifts, home designs, apparel, books and collectible items. These collections are cross-marketed not only in furniture stores, but also gift stores, online, and in his freestanding Bob Timberlake Galleries launched in 1997 to display and retail a sampling of all of his licensed products. Today, Mr. Timberlake serves as Chairman of Bob Timberlake, Inc. which includes Bob Timberlake Licensing and The Bob Timberlake Gallery.

In home furnishings, he has been honored with the Academy of Achievement Award from the Accessories Resource Team, the top Designer Award for Bed Fashions from Cotton, Inc., and the International Furnishings and Design Association Trailblazer Award.

Mr. Timberlake’s works have been published in seven books, displayed in various art museums across the world, and sold in prestigious art galleries internationally. He has received many honors for his civic and charitable contributions including the Albert Schweitzer Medal for Artistry, the American Forestry Award, the North Carolina Public Servant of the Year Award, the Iron Eyes Cody Award, the Boy Scouts of America Silver Beaver Award and the State of North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine. His art work has been featured on several U.S. postal stamps and he has served as the Official Artist of Keep American Beautiful Inc.

Mr. Timberlake’s generous spirit has been demonstrated through his support of many worthy causes including the North Carolina Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center, Duke Children’s Hospital, Toys for Tots and other organizations.