Jesús R. Capó today was elected president of the Home Furnishings Association Board of Directors for 2020. Capó also served in that post during 2019.
“I am grateful for this rare and extraordinary opportunity to serve for an additional year – and I plan to build on the HFA’s successes of 2019,” said Capó, who is vice president and chief information officer for El Dorado Furniture in Miami, Fla.
Other officers elected by the HFA Board of Directors, meeting at the Las Vegas Market, are David Gunn of Knight Furniture in Sherman, Texas, president-elect; Stan Pickett of Quality Furniture & Appliance in Mesquite, Texas, vice president; Travis Garrish of Forma Furniture in Fort Collins, Colo., secretary/treasurer; and Jim Fee of Stoney Creek Furniture in Stoney Creek, Ont., Canada, chairman.
New directors elected for 2020 are Brian Garrison of Garrison Home Furnishings in Central Point, Ore.; RandiLynn Talsma of Blended Furniture Market in Norton Shores, Mich.; and Ed Menapace of The Farmhouse Store in Westfield, N.J.
2019 achievements include CEO Summit, concierge program
Among HFA achievements in 2019, Capó listed the addition of 125 new members and 16 program partnerships. The association implemented a concierge program, offering members individualized problem-solving expertise. And, the association hosted its first CEO Summit, which brought together leaders of three dozen Top 100 furniture retailers to address industry challenges.
Capó attended the summit, held in October at Pebble Beach Resorts in California, and found a spirit of cooperation rather than competition.
“I know that each of those present left with more than they expected, but the real winner was the entire industry because the lessons and strategies learned will be passed on by the association to all members,” Capó said.
[HFA’s CEO Summit launches retailer action]
Association Health Plan coming this year
The second CEO Summit is one of the events Capó said he is looking forward to during 2020, which marks the HFA 100th anniversary year. Others include furniture market seminars, the Washington, D.C., Fly-In May 12-14 and charity golf tournaments.
Capó said the association is developing new programs in response to members’ needs. The first is a partnership with benefits broker Decisely to create an Association Health Plan, which will allow members to offer their employees comprehensive medical coverage at less cost than what they otherwise could obtain. More initiatives, including efforts to help members recruit and retain strong employees, will be announced later in the year.
[HFA works to bring members better medical insurance]
“There has never been a better time to be in the furniture business,” Capó said. “There are so many opportunities awaiting retailers of every size if you’re willing to work intelligently and use the resources available. We help each other do that through the HFA.”
