April 16, 2025

Jerry Epperson to Make Work Style and Life Style Change

Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd. (“MAE”) announces that Wallace W. (“Jerry”) Epperson, Jr. is making a “work style and life style” change.  Jerry, one of the founding partners of MAE in 1991, and who turned 77 in February, will step back from a normal working routine as he has done for well over five decades. Jerry will continue his lifelong passion for, and deep involvement in, the furnishings industry while also devoting more time with his family. He will also continue his writing not only about the furnishings industry but also about Jerry’s lifelong daily challenges caused by his contracting polio at the very early age of two and how he never allowed these challenges to hold him back from obtaining any/all goals he established for himself.

After numerous years of aggressive treatment protocols related to his polio, Jerry completed his BS Degree in Commerce from the University of Virginia and a MBA Degree from The College of William and Mary, as well as the professional designation of a Chartered Financial Analyst.  He started his professional career in 1971 with Scott & Stringfellow in Richmond, VA as a Financial Analyst focused on the furnishings industry, then moved to Wheat, First Securities, Inc. in 1976 in the same role. In 1991 with James M. Mann, and W. Howard Armistead became one of the founding partners of Mann, Armistead & Epperson, Ltd., a boutique investment banking firm headquartered in Richmond, VA.  MAE, over the years, has gained a national and international reputation for successfully completing numerous transactions within the furnishings industry, as well as numerous other industries for privately and publicly help companies.

Jerry has utilized a combination of his formal education, intellectual curiosity, quick wit (often self-deprecating but always with good humor), and his life time love of the furnishings industry to become a nationally recognized figure within the industry.

Jerry’s sense of humor, his humble nature, very generous spirit, and vast knowledge of the furnishings industry has kept him in high demand, not only as a knowledgeable and well-respected Industry Research Analyst and Investment Banker, but also as a speaker, teacher, and columnist for numerous publications.  Jerry’s first major industry accomplishment was the Distinguished Service Award from the American Furniture Manufacturer’s Association (now the American Home Furnishings Alliance). He is listed in the “Writers Hall of Fame” due to his numerous industry studies and reports, the “Pillar of the Industry” award from the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association and has been on the Furniture Today’s list of “Twenty-Five Who Make a Difference.”  He also was the recipient of the “Anti-Defamation League Award” in 2017 at their annual National Home furnishings industry Tribute Dinner.  Jerry, who was an American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation Board Member for many years, was inducted into the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame in 2002 and has his “memorial brick” prominently displayed on the Main Street sidewalk in High Point, North Carolina.  He has also been a proud board member of the respected Bienenstock Furniture Library for well over 20 years.  Also, as a by-product of his long tenured professional industry research work which included travel and visits to Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Slovenia, Romania, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Mexico, Italy, Canada, Great Britain, France, China, Germany and Switzerland, Jerry is extremely proud of having been invited to the White House on two separate occasions to speak about the furniture industry.

Jerry plans to attend his 100^th High Point Furniture Market in April 2025.  He has attended well over 150 markets including Chicago, Dallas, and Atlanta, not to mention numerous industry conference and other events.

Jerry has stated that…

“I am extremely excited and proud to be able to attend the upcoming market in High Point, visit with my life long industry corporate and personal friends, attempt to continue to discuss their corporate objectives in these troubling times and to simply be in a position to enjoy my 100th High Point market with my family, industry friends and my MAE colleagues.”

In his new role starting early Spring 2025, in addition to continuing to discuss corporate needs, personal desires and industry trends with his industry contacts, and attempt to advise on how best they might be obtained, he will continue to perform his beloved industry research, analyze furnishings trends, conduct demographic research and periodically write selected industry focused studies, author timely analysis of current industry events, and be available for selected consulting and advisory services.   It is envisioned that Jerry will continue to be a contributing columnist to Furniture Today, as well as a valued long-term contributor to the International Sleep Products Association’s “Market Trends Annual Report,” in addition to being a contributing author of “The Furnishings Digest,” which has been published in one format or another for well over 50 years.

In regards to Jerry’s new endeavor in life, Howard Armistead noted…

“It has been a great run since 1991 in building our firm with Jerry.  He is an industry ICON, known by hundreds in the industry, all the way from the factory floors to the board rooms and beyond, and has been an excellent lifelong contributor, in many ways, to the furnishings industry in addition to being a business generator for our investment banking services.”

Mike Watson, Jr., a partner at MAE, was quoted as saying…

“This is truly an exciting day in MAE history, as we celebrate not only 34 years in business, but equally as important, the next phase for an industry leader. Jerry’s perseverance, sense of curiosity and commitment to the global furnishing industry is laudable. It has been my personal and professional pleasure to work with Jerry both inside and outside MAE for all of these years.  I am excited for the next part of his journey.”

Jimm Mann, another of the founding partners of MAE is quoted as saying…

“Jerry has a very unique style and genuine warmth about him and is easy to make new friends, especially in the furnishings industry where he has spent most of his professional life in various capacities.  We at MAE are pleased that Jerry is having a chance to “slow down” a bit, do what he wants to do when he wants to do it while being able to focus on some of his additional passions such as family, writing and advisory and consulting activities.  While Jerry will not be here on a daily basis, he will always be ready, willing, and able to continue his passion for the furnishings industry and will always be “open for business” with his industry friends and colleagues.  Please give him a call, I know that he will always take the call and discuss whatever is on your mind.  Under these circumstances in most professional services firms, it is customary to allow the continued use of email addresses and cell phone numbers and in that regard, Jerry will be keeping his same email address (wwe@maeltd.com) and same cell number (804-363-1695) for those that might like to discuss future business opportunities.”

In regards to Jerry attending his 100^th High Point Furniture Market in April and in connection with his “slowing down” life style change, MAE has arranged with the American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame for use of one of its gathering rooms on Saturday, April 26th from the hours of 3:30pm to 5:30pm in order that Jerry and his family might be able to see and greet many of his long-term fellow industry executives and friends.  The Hall of Fame is located at 311 South Hamilton Street.  Jerry looks forward, with his family, to having the opportunity to visit with his many friends and colleagues during this event.

Authored by MAE