by Executive helped found company in 1999 with Kevin O’Connor and Richard Mihalik
HIGH POINT — As an entrepreneur, Jerry Sagerdahl was a co-founder and head of sales for the fastest-growing case goods startup in furniture industry history nearly 30 years ago.
Today, he is preparing to attend his 100th High Point Market and retire from his position as Senior Vice President of Sales at Legacy Classic|Modern, a company he helped found in 1999 along with Kevin O’Connor and Richard Mihalik. Reflecting on Sagerdahl’s retirement from the furniture industry, his peers praise his optimism, way with people and his skill at educating retailers and reps how to deploy the mixed case goods container business model Legacy pioneered.
“Jerry’s superpower is optimism,” said Chris Pelcher, CEO of Legacy. “Optimism, along with calmness, followed by kindness with a huge helping of integrity.” When Legacy’s breakthrough new business model launched that made value-priced case goods imports easier and more profitable for retailers, the company set new sales records every month and achieved 20% compounded annual growth during its first 5 years, the company said. “Jerry’s role in that was huge,” Pelcher said. “A solid business model that nobody had ever seen and exceptional product were vital, but executing those things through sales is where the magic happens. Jerry’s ability to pull together one of the best sales teams in case goods at the time got the company in front of the right customers at the right time,” Pelcher said.
While the initial lightning-speed growth rate of LCM wasn’t sustainable over nearly 30 years, Sagerdahl’s optimism and industry-wide relationships have helped the company navigate and thrive despite turbulence such as retailer attrition, the Great Recession, Pandemic, tariffs and the prolonged housing slump. “Over the last 5 years particularly, Jerry has epitomized grace under pressure, a steady hand who is consistent and unflappable,” Pelcher said. Sagerdahl also has had an integral role in helping expand the company’s dealer base and consumer market through adding the LC Kids youth product line in 2004 and licensed collections with Rachael Ray in 2016, Trisha Yearwood in 2021 and Country Living in 2023, with the latter now LCM’s #1 collection.
Along with the fact that “Jerry is impossible not to like, trust and respect,” he has “done a great job educating sales reps and retailers on the container business,” said Kevin O’Connor, who was CEO at LCM prior to his retirement in 2015. “What you see is what you get with Jerry,” O’Connor said. “No matter what unexpected problem may occur, Jerry always stays positive and is resilient in the face of solving problems. His positivity is contagious,” O’Connor said.
To honor Sagerdahl’s retirement and his 100th High Point Market, Legacy is hosting a market party on Friday, October 16 at its 2426 Uwharrie Road Showroom. Noting that his first market was in 1974 with former West Coast dining specialist Rachlin, Sagerdahl said it’s tough to pick his favorite HPMKT. “Every market is my favorite, because I thrive on new product,” he said. Over the years, Sagerdahl says his greatest sense of satisfaction has come from friendships with co-workers, retailers, reps and competitors. “The people have made it all worthwhile. I haven’t met anyone in this industry I don’t like. This industry has made me very happy,” he said.
About Legacy Classic | Modern: Part of the Samson Portfolio of brands, Legacy Classic|Modern is a leading supplier of bedroom, dining, accent, and youth Furniture. We’re known for beautiful finishes, skilled craftsmanship, inspiring designs and quality.
