Kevin O’Connor
HIGH POINT – The American Home Furnishings Alliance presented its Distinguished Service Award to Kevin O’Connor, former president and CEO of Samson Marketing/Samson Holding, at its 2019 Annual Meeting and CEO Conference held in Miami Oct. 31-Nov. 2.
Each year, the AHFA gives the award to an executive for his or her contributions to the home furnishings industry, to the AHFA and to their local community. O’Connor is the 53rd recipient of the award, which is presented with the distinction “Industry Patron.” The AHFA presented O’Connor the award during a dinner on Nov. 1.
In announcing the award, Rob Spilman, chairman, CEO and president of Bassett Furniture Inds., described O’Connor as compassionate, innovative and a “quiet giant.”
“He has served as an inspirational leader to hundreds around him,” Bassett said.
O’Connor started his career in the industry as a sales rep with Baumritter Corp., which later became Ethan Allen. After leaving Ethan Allen in 1981, he held management positions at Singer Furniture, Burlington Furniture and Lea Inds. He was named president of Hyundai Furniture in 1988.
During this period, he began traveling to Asia on a regular basis and within the next decade became president of Master Design. It was also during this period he developed a business relationship with Samuel and Grace Kuo, with whom he developed product for a startup factory in China called LacquerCraft Manufacturing.
In 1999, O’Connor and the Kuos founded case goods importer Legacy Classic Furniture, which created the direct consolidated container concept under his leadership. This expanded its direct importing from a few large retailers to hundreds of key accounts within a few years.
O’Connor was later named president and CEO of Samson Marketing when it was formed in 2007, which oversaw the management of Legacy Classic and Samson Holding’s other U.S. operating companies, including Universal Furniture and Samson International.
O’Connor has served on numerous boards and industry committees, including chairman of the High Point Market Authority board from 2008 through 2012. He also chaired the AHFA board of directors in 2016 and has chaired the City of Hope Spirit of Life Dinner since 2012.
He received the City of Hope Spirit of Life Award in 2007, the International Home Furnishings Representatives Pillar of the Industry Award in 2009 and was inducted into the American Furniture Industry Hall of Fame in 2012.
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