THE BRIAN FAMILY

Serving as Liberty Furniture Industry’s CEO since 2018 and president since 2016, Jason Brian has promoted growth and ingenuity in the furniture manufacturing industry, much of which he also credits to his hardworking team.  As a native of Nashville, Tennessee, and a longtime resident of Atlanta, Brian witnessed the roots of Liberty’s humble beginnings chartered by his father, Ricky Brian, who started the business in 1992.  

Inspired by his father’s entrepreneurial spirit and tireless work ethic, Brian went on to graduate from the University of Georgia in 1999 with a degree in international business.  Prior to graduation, he was recruited by Siemens for their leadership training, which ultimately propelled him to their Global Graduate Trainee program, requiring an 18-month residency in Nuremberg, Germany.  Shortly after returning to the United States, he met and married his wife, Heather.

Although he never intended to follow in his father's footsteps, he decided to make the leap into the family furniture business at Liberty when offered a position as supply chain manager in 2002.  Consequently, he served as vice president of supply chain for five years before becoming executive vice president in 2010.  He accepted the role of president six years later, stepping into his current position of CEO after his father stepped down in 2018 following many successful decades of leadership.

Brian continues to lead Liberty, along with his talented team, to new and exciting heights.  Besides offering ever-evolving, quality furniture products, Liberty started its own logistics company, LFI Logistics, in 2020.  One of his proudest moments while serving as president was the creation of a $1 million charitable fund in Liberty’s name in 2018, which continues to provide for various needs in the local community.  In addition, Liberty has matched every employee’s contribution up to $5,000 since its inception. Service and hard work are longstanding family values, which Brian considers the backbone of everything Liberty stands for. 

Today, Brian continues to inject his passion and vision into his career, supported by his amazing team.  A father of two children and a husband of 16 years, he brings the same passion into his family life as well, enjoying life’s many adventures.  He is beyond honored to serve City of Hope and expectant an incredible year ahead.

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREE
MARTIN PLOY

Martin Ploy has been involved with City of Hope for over 50 years and was a past Spirit of Life honoree in 1989 for the International Home Furnishings Industry. Ploy is the recently retired president of AICO/Amini and still sits on the board of directors. He joined AICO in 2002 as vice president of sales and marketing. Earlier, he had a diverse career in the industry with manufacturers BenchCraft Furniture, Kanowsky Furniture and spent 17 years with west coast retailer RB Furniture as EVP.

Ploy has a passion for people, family, the home furnishings industry and City of Hope. He has been a top fundraiser for Walk for Hope, serving as the captain of the AICO All-Stars for the past 13 years. He is a past president and currently the Advisory Board of the International Home Furnishings Industry Group at City of Hope and is also active in generating support for both the Spirit of Life Dinner in High Point and the West Coast Golf and Tennis Tournament in Southern California.

Another important and philanthropic effort of Ploy’s is the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame, where he served on the Executive Committee for four years, eventually becoming president and chairman, and has been a top fundraiser for the Hall of Fame. He has also received the Pillar of the Industry Award by the International Home Furnishings Representative Association.

With a lifelong commitment of support to City of Hope, he has inspired many to establish City of Hope as both a personal and industry charity of choice, including Michael Amini, CEO and founder of AICO, Chuck Reilly, retired EVP of AICO, as well as dozens of other leading industry executives. Simply put, Ploy is an ambassador of City of Hope and an ongoing advocate of the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame.

Since recently entering retirement, he and his wife of 58 years, Mary Ann, have been busy remodeling their home, traveling, and enjoying the opportunity to share time together with their family. Ploy enjoys sports and music and is trying to learn how to play golf again.

STEVEN J. DARVIN
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, DARVIN FURNITURE & MATTRESS

Steven J. Darvin is chief executive officer for Darvin Furniture & Mattress, Chicagoland's largest furniture and mattress store. Darvin's grandfather, Louis, founded the company in 1920 and his father succeeded him, introducing both him and his brother, Martin, to the retail furniture business. After serving in Vietnam with the United States Navy from 1969-1972, Darvin officially joined the company and has been a co-owner for five decades. 

Darvin's 50 years at Darvin Furniture & Mattress have been filled with exceptional growth and expansion at the single-location showroom in Orland Park, Illinois. As co-owner, he shared responsibility with his brother for oversight of the company's primary operations, with special emphasis on advertising, marketing and upholstery buying. 

As co-owners of Darvin Furniture & Mattress, both he and his brother have worked tirelessly to make their customers' and employees' experiences a top priority. In 2020, they created an Employee Stock Ownership Program to allow their workforce to further benefit from the company's future growth.

Before beginning his tenure with Darvin Furniture & Mattress, Darvin earned a bachelor of business degree in business administration from the University of Wisconsin.

MARTY A. DARVIN
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD, DARVIN FURNITURE & MATTRESS

Marty A. Darvin is chairman of the board of Darvin Furniture & Mattress, Chicagoland's largest furniture and mattress store. Darvin's grandfather, Louis, founded the company in 1920 and his father succeeded him, introducing both him and his brother, Steven, to the retail furniture business. Darvin officially joined the company in 1969 and has been a co-owner for 50 years. 

Darvin's five decades at Darvin Furniture & Mattress have been marked by the continuous growth of the company. As co-owner with his brother, he shared responsibility for oversight of the company's primary operations, with special emphasis on operations, the distribution center and case good buying.

As co-owners of Darvin Furniture & Mattress, both he and his brother have worked tirelessly to make their customers' and employees' experiences a top priority. In 2020, they created an Employee Stock Ownership Program to allow their workforce to further benefit from the company's future growth.

Before beginning with Darvin Furniture & Mattress, Darvin earned his bachelor of science degree in accounting from Bradley University.