IHFI Spirit of Life® Honoree

Kevin O'Connor

Kevin O'Connor 2026_15%

 

Born and raised in the New York City area, Kevin attended Seton Hall University, receiving a B.A. degree in Psychology and later an M.A. degree in Business Administration from Columbia University. After a short stint in the US Army, Kevin married his college sweetheart Madeline Fay in 1969 and they moved to Chicago to begin his furniture career as a sales rep with Ethan Allen.

Kevin credits his 11 years with Ethan Allen, where he worked closely with Hall of Fame executives Nat Ancell and Pat Norton, with developing his business principles and leadership.

Management positions at Singer Furniture, Burlington Furniture, Lea Industries, Hyundai Furniture and Master Design Furniture followed; the latter jobs leading to his introduction to the Asian manufacturing community.

Then after years of sourcing products from Lacquercraft Furniture and developing a close working and personal relationship with Samuel and Grace Kuo, Kevin partnered with them in February 1999 to form a transformative furniture marketing company, Legacy Classic Furniture.
Legacy Classic was the first company offering the new model of the consolidated direct containers, where smaller retailers across the country were afforded the opportunity to purchase an assorted case goods product line manufactured and stocked in China. The value equation of high quality products at import prices was enthusiastically embraced by the retail community leading to Legacy Classic having over 450 direct container customers and sales of $200 million by 2005.

In October 2006 Kevin was appointed President and CEO of Samson Marketing, the marketing arm of Samson Holding including Legacy Classic Furniture, Universal Furniture, Baker Furniture, Craftmaster Furniture, Samson International, Samson Hospitality and Grand Master Furniture. Kevin “retired” from active management in 2014, but has remained in a consulting role to Samuel Kuo, Chairman of Samson Holding.

Kevin was active in many industry organizations throughout his career including serving as Chairman of the High Point Market Authority from 2008t o 2012 (during which he spearheaded the revitalization of the current semi-annual PreMarket event), board member and Chairman the AHFA and Chairman of the City of Hope® Dinner Committee for 12 years.

Kevin has been honored with many industry awards including: the IHFRA Pillar of the Industry, ADL American Heritage Award, AHFA Distinguished Service Award and City of Hope Spirit of Life Award. Finally, Kevin was inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame in 2011.

Kevin is most proud of his family – his 56 year life partner, Madeline, his son Sean and wife Emily, his daughter Colleen and husband Paul Terry and deceased daughter Christine and her husband Matt DesVergers, along with 6 grandchildren: Will and Connor DesVergers, Mason, Taylor Ann, Hayes O’Connor, and Maggie Terry.

The O’Connor family has been blessed and supported in good and tough times by their faith and the St Pius X Catholic Church  community in Greensboro, NC for the past 46 years. Kevin and Madeline currently reside on Kiawah Island, SC.