by HIGH POINT — The American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation has promoted CEO Karen McNeill to the additional position of chief vision officer and has begun a search for a new CEO
McNeill will focus on new opportunities for the Hall of Fame, expanding educational events and building its leadership initiative, it said in a release.
“Karen has led the Hall of Fame for 16 years. In essence, she has diligently moved the organization towards fulfillment of the original 1988 vision of our founders to chronicle our history, to honor our leaders, to unite the industry across all roles, and to create a museum,” said Caroline Hipple, president of the Hall of Fame board and president of Norwalk Furniture.
“I’ve served on the (board) during two different periods and witnessed first-hand the expansion of our programs, the purchase of a building and development of a living space that will honor our leaders, create gathering spaces, educate, and inspire a new class of innovation and leadership. She has established a solid platform to take the Hall of Fame into the future.”
Under McNeill’s term as CEO, the history initiative expanded to include oral history interviews and book publishing, creation of a timeline history of the industry, preservation of industry stories through the Tell Us Your Story video project, filming of documentaries on each inductee, and the hiring of a full-time historian. The leadership initiative was launched in 2017 and presents “world-class keynote speakers, honors emerging leaders through the creation of the Paul Broyhill Future Leaders Award, and provides challenging executive leadership education through the Hall of Fame Home Furnishings Leadership Institute at High Point University. ”
The foundation is classified as a 501(c)3 nonprofit public charity. Induction into the Hall of Fame is based on a five-month Selection Process using an objective, confidential model, and its prestigious induction celebration feature multiple events that are attended by more than 1,400 people.
In June 2019, the Hall of Fame purchased property at 311 N. Hamilton Street for its news home. The 23,500-square-foot building and museum will open in 2023.
“As with any company, it is our responsibility to oversee succession planning for this new business model and for the continuity of strong leadership,” Hipple said. “It presents a tremendous opportunity for the entrepreneurial leader who has had experience in creating and building a team, operations, financial and budget responsibilities, and meaningful sales and fundraising functions. The new leader will have the opportunity to mold the future of the Hall of Fame as we move into our new home.
“It is the right time to bring in the next CEO who can put their mark on the project, its new programming and its events. As Karen has always done, she will maintain a keen focus on the future to generate new opportunities for the Hall of Fame.”
A search has been launched for a new CEO for the Hall of Fame. For further information, please visit www.homefurnishingshalloffame.com/homefurnishingshalloffame/leadershipopportunity .
