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“ Everything we do is driven by

achieving more for less. To do that,

you have to work smarter, create RON WANEK

desire and build value FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN

for the consumer.”

Ron Wanek is the Founder and Chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc., the world’s largest Awards and Recognitions
furniture manufacturer and the largest furniture retailer in North America. Since 1997, when the Wisconsin Entrepreneur of the Year
fi rst Ashley Furniture store (now Ashley HomeStore) was established, we’ve grown to over 800 – Ernst & Young
HomeStores in 123 countries across the globe.
National Finalist Entrepreneur of the Year
While growing up on a sharecroppers farm near Utica, MN, Ron watched his parents, who were – Ernst & Young
risk takers and entrepreneurs, grow their business from sharecropping to owning their own Innovator of the Year
farm. Their hard work and determination helped frame Ron into the man he is today. – Woodworking Machinery Industry Assn.
RON WANEK
Founder and Chairman In 1970, Ron Wanek set out with a group of investors to make a diff erence in the furniture Leadership Award
–F urniture Today
Ashley Furniture Industries industry by forming Arcadia Furniture Corporation. This upstart furniture manufacturing Spirit of Life Award
company, which Ron established and managed operations, was in an industry dominated by
large companies. – City of Hope
Pillar of the Industry
Ron knew from experience that delivering the product to his retailers was a critical component – International Home Furnishings Reps Assn.
of the business. In 1972 he launched Ashley Logistics, one of the largest private freight
carriers and 10th largest user of intermodal rail containers in North America. Ron also quickly American Heritage Award
realized that companies in Asia could become a threat to his business model, and in 1984 he – Anti-Defamation League
established Ashley’s overseas manufacturing and distribution capabilities. Lifetime Achievement
– American Home Furnishings Association
After ownership and management were restructured by Ron in 1976 and 1982, Arcadia
Furniture and Ashley Furniture merged into one company: Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. Master of the Game
Ron’s determination and expertise were the driving force in laying the groundwork for one – Furniture Today
of the most incredible success stories in the history of the furniture industry. Honorary Recognition
– Wisconsin Foundation of the Arts
Since the establishment of Ashley Furniture, the company has reinvented itself 14 times.
Ashley has always been focused on manufacturing, product, logistics, innovation and customer President & Chairman
service. In today’s high-tech culture, we are introducing innovative initiatives to every area, – American Home Furnishings Association
including e-cCommerce, new store design and throughout 17.5 million sq. ft. of manufacturing Supplier of the Year
and distribution space. In 2017, Ashley sales exceeded $5.5 billion — eclipsing the sales – Furniture Today
of the next 10 manufacturers combined. Additionally, the Ashley HomeStore network
does approximately $4 billion+ in retail sales annually since 2014. Distinguished Service
– American Home Furnishings Association
Ron has been married to his wife Joyce since 1961. Together in 1998 they started the Ronald & Industry Patriot
Joyce Wanek Foundation making personal gifts of tens of millions of dollars to a multitude of – Regency Home
their favorite causes, including the furniture industry, education, helping children in need, the Hall of Fame
arts, honoring our veterans and medical research—with a focus on fi nding cures to some of our – Wisconsin Business
most horrendous diseases. Most recently, the Wanek family created a $50 million cornerstone
foundation grant to The City of Hope to fi nd a cure for Type 1 diabetes. Additional grants for Distinguished Service–Community
medical research include tens of millions of dollars to The Mayo Clinic Heart Research Program, – Deloitte 75
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital and other medical research organizations across the Florida Council of 100
country.
Family Dynasty Award
Ashley is proud to be a family company. Ron’s son Todd is CEO of the company. Ron’s other two – Furniture Today
children and three grandchildren are actively involved in the company’s daily operations. 2017 Philanthropist of the Year Award
– National Speakers Association

Inducted into the Furniture Hall of Fame,
October 2006.

In 2015, Ron received an Honorary
Doctorate in Business from High
Point University.

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