Johnston leads American Home Furnishings Alliance | News ... - Wilkes Journal Patriot

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Joseph “Joe” Johnston

Joseph “Joe” Johnston
A Wilkes County native and resident with a strong family history in the furniture manufacturing industry has been elected to lead the American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA).
Joseph “Joe” Johnston, CEO and owner of Johnston Casuals Furniture in North Wilkesboro, was elected 2023 chair of the AHFA Board of Directors during the organization’s Annual Meeting and CEO Conference in Sea Island, Ga., Nov. 3-6.
The alliance acts as the voice of the residential furniture industry on regulatory and other matters impacting the industry. It has a foundation that funds research and educational initiatives aimed at improving management, manufacturing and marketing within the home furnishings industry.
“We just celebrated our 40th Year at Johnston Casuals Furniture. I want to thank the folks who have made their work home with us at Johnston Casuals and American-Drew for the last 95 years,” said Johnston. He added that providing leadership to the AHFA is a way he can give back to the industry.
The AHFA represents public and private companies of all sizes that are responsible for nearly 50% of all home furnishings sold in the United States, stated an alliance press release. Member companies have factories in 23 U.S. states and 17 foreign countries. Residential furniture is a $35 billion segment of the U.S. economy.
With Johnston on the AHFA executive committee are Nathan Cressman of Magnussen Home in Greensboro, first vice chair; and Andy Bray of Vanguard Furniture in Hickory, second vice chair. Roger Bland, president and CEO of Southern Motion in Pontotoc, Miss., remains on the executive committee as immediate past chair.
Johnston has served as president of the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce, Wilkes Jaycees, Wilkes Art Gallery and Oakwoods Country Club. He was a member of the North Wilkesboro Board of Commissioners from 2013 to 2019, and currently is on the Wilkes Economic Development Corp. Board of Directors.
Johnston’s grandfather, Andrew “Dick” Johnston, grew up in eastern Wilkes and began factory work in North Wilkesboro at Turner-White Casket Company, where he refined his furniture making skills.
In 1927, Dick Johnston established American Furniture Company along the Yadkin River in downtown North Wilkesboro. It utilized used hardwood timber of northwest North Carolina to build bedroom suites.
In 1957, Dick, Richard Johnston (Joe’s father), Tom Story and Wayne Coffey founded a sister company, Drew Furniture, in North Wilkesboro. The “Cherry Grove Bedroom” national bestselling brand began from this endeavor.
Joe spent summers working at American-Drew in North Wilkesboro while in high school and college and began working there full-time as chair factory production manager after graduating from college in January 1975. At the time of his time of departure in 1980, the chair factory was building up to 1,100 dining chairs daily.
In 1981, Joe and his father began Johnston Casuals Furniture. This company is best known for its hand-crafted, contemporary, metal furniture, as well as its ability to make modifications according to their customers’ needs.
Johnston Casuals, the only remaining furniture manufacturer in Wilkes County, sells barstools, cocktail and end tables, casual dining and accent items made from commercial quality steel. “We make furniture. We make it the old-fashioned way. We make it by hand. Purchasing a piece of Johnston Casuals, though functional, is truly a piece of art,” said Joe.
Joe and his wife, Deborah, live in North Wilkesboro and have three married children and five grandchildren. They are members of First United Methodist Church of North Wilkesboro. He said that in their spare time, they enjoy hiking and enjoying the fresh air in the Blue Ridge Mountains with friends.
Executives named to new three-year terms on the AHFA Board of Directors include Edward Audi, Stickley Furniture; Mark Franklin, Franklin Furniture; Sean O’Connor, Universal Furniture; Veronica Schnitzius, American Leather; Luke Simpson, Durham Furniture; and Henry Vanderminden IV, Telescope Casual Furniture.
Continuing on the board with terms expiring at the end of 2024 are Steve Elton, Brown Jordan; Fred Henjes, Riverside Furniture; Steve Lehman, Smith Brothers of Berne; Neill Robinson, Legacy Classic | Modern Furniture; and Melinda Whittington, La-Z-Boy Inc.
Board members with terms expiring at the end of 2023 are Caroline Hipple, Norwalk Furniture; Jeremy Hoff, Hooker Furniture; Allan Palecek, Palecek; and Todd Wanek, Ashley Furniture Industries.
Eddie Massood, Massood Logistics, and Andrew Wright, Smith-Leonard, are the 2023 representatives on the board from AHFA’s Solution Partners division.
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Cloudy. High 36F. Winds light and variable.
Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 24F. Winds light and variable.
Sunny skies. High near 45F. Winds light and variable.
Chance of Rain: 1%
Sunrise: 07:33:49 AM
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Humidity: 31%
Wind: S @ 4 mph
UV Index: 2 Low
Cloudy early with some clearing expected late. A few flurries or snow showers possible. Low 24F. Winds light and variable.
Chance of Rain: 3%
Sunrise: 07:34:10 AM
Sunset: 05:17:03 PM
Humidity: 62%
Wind: S @ 2 mph
UV Index: 2 Low
Clear. Low near 25F. Winds light and variable.
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Humidity: 64%
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A mostly clear sky. Low 28F. Winds light and variable.
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Humidity: 68%
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Clear skies with a few passing clouds. Low 31F. Winds light and variable.
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Cloudy. Some light rain is likely. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
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Humidity: 97%
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A few clouds. Low near 40F. Winds light and variable.
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