Don Coleman, president and CEO of Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company, announced his plans to retire this December after 39 years with the company. He has been president and CEO of the company since 1996.
“Hickory Springs has been my ‘life away from home’ for almost 40 years—and what a great life it has been,” Coleman said.
Coleman joined the company in 1972 as its first national product manager, and then added manufactured sleeper mechanisms to his management responsibilities in 1975. He served as general manager of the company’s Highland Fabricators facility following its acquisition, and was named vice president of the company’s Eastern furniture division following its formation in 1992. Four years later, he succeeded Neil Underdown as president/CEO of Hickory Springs Manufacturing Company.
“Hickory Springs is grateful to Don for his years of outstanding leadership, loyalty and vision,” said Tom Pierce, chairman of the board of directors of Hickory Springs. “His commitment to developing innovative products, sound fiscal policy, creative partnerships and understanding the needs of our customers has had an immeasurable impact upon the ongoing excellence, growth and diversification of Hickory Springs over the years.”
Hickory Springs is working with a professional placement service to search for Coleman’s successor.