Industry veteran Martin Ploy will lead the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation as president of the board of directors for 2020. Randy Coconis, president and treasurer of Home Furnishings Association member Coconis Furniture & Mattress 1st, was re-elected to an additional three-year term on the board.
[Coconis Furniture offers free breast-screening exams]
In addition, the foundation has announced that Drew and Jonathan Scott will host its 2020 induction ceremony Oct. 18 in High Point, N.C.
The foundation, with offices in High Point, was established in 1988 to preserve the history of the home furnishings industry, celebrate those who have made extraordinary contributions to the industry, and inspire innovation and leadership.
It has purchased a former showroom building in the furniture market district and will renovate it to provide a permanent home for its exhibits and offices. The facility will also offer event space and offices for other organizations. It is expected to open in April 2021.
‘An impressive leadership team’
Ploy is president of AICO/Amini Innovation Corp. Caroline Hipple, president of Norwalk Furniture, will be first vice president of the board. Scott Eckman, president of Furniture & Home Decor Leasing and executive vice president of International Market Centers, will be second vice president. Larry Rogers, a furniture consultant, will be secretary-treasurer. David Gebhart, CEO of Global Views, will continue to serve on the executive committee as board chairman.
New directors are Tyson Hagale, president of the Furniture Hardware Division of Leggett & Platt, and Connie Lineberry, president of Connie Lineberry & Associates.
In a news release, Ploy said the construction of the new building will make 2020 a dynamic year for the foundation. “We are fortunate to have an impressive leadership team and engaged Board of Directors,” he said.
Members of the foundation may nominate industry figures for inclusion into the Hall of Fame. Nominations are due Feb. 10 and can be made through the website.
The Scott brothers also hosted in 2018
This will be the second time hosting for the Scott brothers, best known for their “Property Brothers” program on HGTV, who did the honors in 2018.
“Drew and Jonathan will bring their incredible talents and exuberance to the Induction Celebration, as we honor our new inductees, whose unique expertise and vision helped frame the home furnishings industry,” Ploy said in a news release.
“Drew and I are happy and humbled to participate in the Induction Celebration again this year,” Jonathan said. “It’s an honor to be taking part in the industry’s most prestigious gathering of trailblazers in the home design space.”
“We appreciate the incredibly talented individuals who have helped build and inspire this great industry, and we are thrilled to be a part of honoring them,” Drew said.
