BoF-Jan25-2023-Letter

INDUSTRY NEWS

Clif McKenzie will stay on as CEO of Watson to support product and strategy.

feels special because Watson has a soul, one that quietly says ‘welcome.’ Like the trees growing on the grounds, the qualities that make Watson earnest and approachable are the result of years invested into care and cultivation. Though everyone who has worked at Watson has contributed to its character, the McKenzie family has been integral in making the company what it is today. In 1991, Clif McKenzie and his business partners acquired Watson Furniture Group, where he went on to serve as President and CEO. Over the years he nurtured a culture steeped in community and responsibility, driving the company’s success, and establishing Watson as a premier player in the commercial furniture manufacturing world. Some of Clif and Kath’s children went on

to work in various roles at Watson. Having been raised in tandem with the business, they developed an understanding of the industry and an appreciation for the craft. They met the people who enrich Watson with fresh ideas which, in turn, become quality pieces designed and built with integrity. The McKenzie family has been an active presence from the onset and has made their commitment to continue leading Watson clear. In the fall of 2022, Clif McKenzie announced to Watson employees that his son CK McKenzie will be assuming the role of President, establishing the second generation of leadership, and assuring the company’s deeply held values and goals carry forward. These core tenets will continue to be the foundation on which future success is built. Clif McKenzie will stay on as CEO

38 The Business of Furniture | Subscribe at bellowpress.com | January 25, 2023

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