William K. Pou Jr. has been appointed chairman of the W.S. Badcock Corporation Board of Directors.
Pou has served as executive vice president of retail operations since 1997 and will continue to hold that title. He played an active role in the Top 100 retailer’s rapid growth in recent years. The company, based in Mulberry, Fla., counts 368 corporate and dealer stores in eight Southeastern states.
W.S. Badcock was founded in 1904 by Pou’s great-grandfather, Henry Stanhope Badcock. It is one of the largest privately held home furnishings companies in the U.S. Its branded Badcock Home Furniture &more stores carry a complete line of furniture, appliances, bedding, electronics, home office, accessories and seasonal items while offering in-house financing for customers. The company, with 2,400 employees, was named 2018 Retailer of the Year by the Home Furnishings Association.
Career started with summer jobs
Pou began his career with Badcock in 1973, spending summer breaks from school in various jobs within the company. After graduating from Mercer University in Macon, Ga., he became a dealer owner with the purchase of the Haines City, Fla., store in 1979. He went on to own the Sebring store from 1989 until 1992 and the Winter Haven North location from 1994 until 1998. He fully returned to corporate headquarters in 1997.
In addition, Pou was a founding director of the First National Bank of Polk County, which is now branded as CenterState Bank, and serves on its board. He also sits on the Board of Trustees of Florida Southern College.
“Bill has been such an integral part of the company’s history and success, it is exciting to see him have an additional opportunity to continue to transform the company through his extensive knowledge and guidance,” CEO and President Rob Burnette said.
