by Long-time executive who passed away July 6 at age 85 continues to be remembered by many in the industry for his humility and kind, generous spirit
HIGH POINT — Anyone in the industry knows that this is a people and relationship-oriented business, from the sales and marketing done at the wholesale level to the multitude of daily interactions with consumers at retail.
This is true the world over, including in countries that manufacture and sell product to the industry in the U.S. and other countries.
But what seems like an obvious wasn’t necessarily so obvious to me when I first started covering the industry in the mid-1990s as business editor of the High Point Enterprise.
At the time, certain aspects of the industry were somewhat obscure — most notably that massive showroom buildings occupying large a large part of the real estate in downtown High Point were open just two weeks a year at the April and October markets. Yet to a newcomer in the industry, those markets also were an eye-opening experience into the world of commerce in that they transformed an otherwise sleepy downtown into something along the likes of Manhattan or Chicago where the sidewalks were teeming with people walking to and from various showrooms.
Working at a community newspaper that only covered the industry marginally, I really didn’t grasp the people side of the business either way back then.
That was until I met Dave Ogren, who was working for LADD (Lea, American Drew and Daystrom) at the time. Although his title was vice president of business development and international sales, he also was involved on the marketing and communications side of the business. This was a key role given the fact that High Point-based LADD was one of the largest public companies in the industry, and one that was followed regularly as part of coverage both in the trade and consumer press, including the Enterprise, the Greensboro News & Record and the Winston-Salem Journal.
Covering the furniture industry in this market was a highly competitive training ground as I learned about the industry dead center in the Furniture Capital of the World, a term I began to appreciate from then on, calling to mind my decision to return to the High Point area in the spring of 1999, after a two-year absence working for The Press of Atlantic City. When I mentioned my return to High Point to a Jersey Shore furniture retailer I was doing a story on at the time, he was obviously impressed, exclaiming, “Ah the Capital, the Capital!” as if referencing a city the likes of Paris, Rome, New York or Beijing.
When I returned to High Point, it also brought back fond memories of covering vibrant companies in the industry such as LADD, where Dave was the consummate spokesperson thanks to his outgoing and friendly nature. He also was extremely accessible and patient in helping one understand the dynamics and people involved in this major company. This was true whether the questions dealt with a quarter earnings statement or getting to know major figures involved including Fred Schuermann, the company’s former president and CEO. It was Dave who helped set up that interview and also sat in, at least through parts where he thought he could help answer questions or provide some insight or clarification into the company.
But calling on Dave wasn’t just like going through any typical marketing or communications folks at some public companies in the industry. He was open, friendly and treated you like you were the most important person he was speaking to that day. Perhaps this goes back to his family upbringing in community-oriented towns in the Midwest.
And perhaps it also reflects his experience at the University of Iowa where he not only was a member of the fencing team and the Omicron Delta Kappa fraternity, but where he was advertising director of the Daily Iowan newspaper, part of the liberal arts culture at a school with one of the most prestigious writing programs in the country.
It was that interest in the craft of writing and journalism that made Dave somewhat of a kindred spirit, I suppose. But more than that, I believe, he simply wanted to be there to help, part of the hospitality that again was ingrained in him in his upbringing in the upper Midwest. He obviously brought that with him to the South, where he came to be known as a Southern gentleman.
When I started working for Furniture Today in the summer of 2003, he was one of the first people in the industry whom I ran into during a party at the High Point Market. As always, his manner was welcoming and gracious. Seeing Dave again then — and over subsequent markets — was always a nice reunion of sorts. You always looked forward to his charisma, sense of humor and his sense of humility. This also carried over to his interactions with you between markets, when he would often comment on a story that he liked and go on to share additional insights along the way.
But another memory I have of Dave that sticks the most was seeing him every so often at mass during the week at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in High Point. I later found out Dave was actually a member of Wesley Memorial United Methodist in High Point, but attended mass at IMC after dropping off his youngest daughter to school there during the week, one of his other daughters, Kimmie, told me recently.
His taking time to attend that mass of another denomination during the week struck me as just one more example of the strength of Dave’s character and his humility. On that note, I can only say God bless and rest in peace to a caring figure, friend and beacon to many in the industry who knew him over the many years. You will be missed.
Below are some thoughts shared by others in the industry who knew him over the years.
“Dave made Mark and me feel special and welcome as we started our business and TV show. In Dallas, we produced a prototype for ‘Industry Update’ (later becoming Home Fashion Report) and Dave allowed us to use American Drew furniture. Culp ended up as a sole advertiser for over 10 years and later Dave gave us ideas and American Drew became a loyal advertiser and supporter while always being a friend, even after retirement.”
Ellen Gefen, Gefen Marketing
”Dave Ogren was my boss at Thomasville Furniture in the early ’70s. He was one of the best bosses ever. He was loved by everybody because he was so full of kindness. I kept in touch with him up until recently. Dave will be missed, and his contributions to the furniture industry are well known.”
Tommy Leflein, lifelong industry sales professional and past president of IHFRA
“Dave Ogren was a good friend who always brought with him an openness and positive energy. He will be greatly missed.”
John Conrad, former executive director of the International Society of Furniture Designers
“I grew up in Iowa and Dave attended the University of Iowa so we had something in common besides furniture. We always laughed about the fact that he lettered in athletics as a member of the fencing team. I can just picture Dave in his fencing uniform fencing with his opponents. I was privileged to have known and to have worked with Dave!”
Ryan Tessau, former director of wood product development at Thomasville Furniture
“I worked with him at LADD and La-Z-Boy and attended the Mexico furniture show in Guadalajara on several occasions. He was a professional and a gentleman.”
Bill Caples, vice president, business development at Greentouch Home
“I knew him well. He was a true gentlemen and one of Fred (Starr’s) boys. They were the best and brightest from Armstrong. All were successful. The PE boys could have learned a lesson from Armstrong and how to embrace the industry rather than view it with superior arrogance. Fred (Starr), Dave (Ogren), Tom (Tilley), Ken (Fonville) and the others were hands-on managers that demanded excellence but also treated their people with respect.”
Randy Ariail, Ariail & Associates Executive Search
