About Jerry

Wallace W. "Jerry" Epperson Jr. is a distinguished figure in the home furnishings industry, renowned for his extensive contributions as an analyst, investment banker, and thought leader over a career spanning more than five decades.

Born in 1948 in Victoria, Virginia, Epperson's early exposure to the furniture industry came through his father's work as a railroad conductor, which connected him with industry leaders like Ed Lane of Lane Furniture. He pursued higher education at the University of Virginia, earning a Bachelor of Science in Commerce, followed by an MBA from the College of William & Mary. He also holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.

Epperson began his professional journey in 1971 as a furniture research analyst at Scott & Stringfellow in Richmond, Virginia. He later joined Wheat First Securities, where he authored the "Home Furnishings Research Compendium," a nationally distributed data service that provided valuable insights into furnishing trends and demographics. In 1991, he co-founded a boutique investment banking firm specializing in the furniture industry.Epperson played a pivotal role in mergers and acquisitions, offering in-depth research and transaction support. His expertise made him a sought-after speaker and consultant, even briefing the White House on industry matters.

Throughout his career, Epperson has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Distinguished Service Award from the American Furniture Manufacturers Association (now the American Home Furnishings Alliance), the "Pillar of the Industry" award from the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association, and inclusion in Furniture Today's list of "Twenty-Five Who Make a Difference." He was inducted into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame in 2002. Additionally, he has served as a long-time board member of the Bienenstock Furniture Library and has been a prolific writer, contributing to publications like Furniture Today and the International Sleep Products Association’s Market Trends Annual Report. His monthly newsletter, The Furnishings Digest, has been a staple in the industry for over 50 years.

In April 2025, at the age of 77, Epperson announced a transition from full-time work to focus more on writing, research, and selective advisory roles within the home furnishings sector. He continues to contribute his insights and remains an influential figure in the industry.

Epperson's legacy is marked by his analytical acumen, dedication to the home furnishings industry, and his ability to connect with individuals across all levels of the business. His work has not only shaped industry practices but also mentored future generations of professionals.

PUBLICATIONS AND AWARDS

    • The Scott & Stringfellow Home Furnishings Service

    • Columnist for Furniture World Magazine

    • The Wheat First Butcher Singer Furnishings Compendium

    • Furnishings Digest discussing current events, projections, ideas and performance within the furniture industry

    • The Residential Furniture Industry Looks to the Future

    • An Insiders View, a column in Furniture/Today, the leading trade publication in the home furnishings industry.

    • The Future Home

    • Furniture Megatrends

    • The Changing Face of Office Work

    • Demographics 101

    • Project Vision/Furniture Demographics

    • Bedding Dynamics

    • Future of Work - Implications for the Residential Furniture Industry

    • Defining the Residential Furnishings Industry

    • The Forty Year Styling Study

    • Furniture Retail Price Point Study

    • Furniture and Bedding Imports: A Statistical Study

    • “Where Does It All Go?” Residential Distribution Analysis

    • The Changing Upholstered Furniture Industry

    • The Mattress Industry: Lessons for the Entire Furnishings Industry

    • The Five-Year Home Furnishings Economic Forecast

    • A monthly column in Furniture/Today CHINA

    • Home-Centric: Demographic & Current Technologies with Implications for Home Related Consumer Durables

    • “50 Years of Furniture Styling: Fond Memories” Published by Furniture Today/Progressive Media

    • Residential Furniture Retail Analysis

    • “Falling Forward” - Jerry’s Memoir of his life with polio

    • Invited to speak at the White House about the furniture industry

    • Invited to educate many countries about the U.S. furniture industry with visits to Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Slovenia, Romania, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia,

    • Mexico, Italy, Canada, Great Britain, France, Japan, China, Germany and Switzerland

    • Furniture World Award of Merit

    • Writers Hall of Fame for the Furniture Industry

    • Recognition for analytical work by Peter Lynch in his first book, AOne Up On Wall

    • Street@ (page 300)

    • Distinguished Service Award, American Furniture Manufacturers Association

    • President=s Award, Southeastern Home Furnishings Association

    • Industry Service Award, Upholstered Furniture Action Council

    • Certificate of Appreciation, Furniture Manufacturers Credit Association

    • Pillar of the Industry, International Home Furnishings Representatives Association

    • Furniture Today ATwenty-Five Who Made a Difference@

    • Zack’s/Fortune magazine “All Star Analyst”

    • Elected to the American Furniture Hall of Fame

    • Person of the Year Tri-State Home Furnishings Association

    • InFurniture's Power 50; Ranked #7 behind CEO’s of Furniture Brands, La-Z-Boy,

    • Berkshire Hathaway, Rooms-To-Go, Ethan Allen and Ashley Furniture

    • InFurniture’s Power 50; Ranked #12 behind CEO’s of Furniture Brands, Ashley, La-Z-

    • Boy, Rooms-to-Go, Ethan Allen. Berkshire-Hathaway, Haverty, World Market Center,

    • IKEA, Wal-Mart and Lacquer Craft.

    • Furniture/Today’s Who’s Who in the Furniture Industry; as a “Deal Maker: Behind-the-

    • Scenes Player Makes Business Happen.”

    • Ranked #3 in Earnings Accuracy for Consumer Durables – Forbes magazine

    • “Outstanding Journalist HOME Award” from the American Home Furnishings Alliance

    • Bienenstock Furniture Library dedicates new addition, “The Epperson Tower”

    • American Furniture Hall of Fame board member

    • WITHIT (Women in the Home Industries Today) board member

    • Bienenstock Furniture Library board member

    • Awarded “Lifetime Membership” by The American Society of Furniture Designers

    • Given a “Key to the City” of Highpoint

In 2010, I was asked by one of the few remaining polio-related publications to write a few short stories about my experiences growing up with polio. I caught polio in the fall of 1950, in the last polio epidemic that ran from 1949 to 1952. The Salk and Sabin vaccines arrived in 1954 and 1957 and polio declined as a threat in the U.S. soon afterwards.

In reflection, I have been extremely blessed throughout my life because of my catching the dreaded disease. I had a supportive, loving family; because of the polio I learned that I must get a good education and could not work in the local factories or on farms; I married an extraordinary girl, a nurse, who supported me in my work, gave me two wonderful children and who I love more than ever after 51 years of marriage; my work allowed me to meet leaders internationally and travel extensively in North America, Asia and Europe; l was blessed with two hard working, talented partners and our business, now 30 years old, has exceeded our best expectations, and my health remains good.

On my 73rd birthday, my family gave me this book, made from the stories I wrote a decade ago. The original title "Limping Through Life in Crippling Detail" could not be used because it had already been on another publication. I hope you enjoy this light hearted recollection of my early days.

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