Pedro Capo of El Dorado Furniture is the New National Home Furnishings Association President; He is the First Hispanic to Hold This Position

Business Wire, Jan 22, 2003

Business Editors

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 22, 2003

Pedro Capo, Chief Operations Officer and Corporate Secretary of El Dorado Furniture, is the new 2003 President of the National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA), the largest retail home furnishings association in the United States.

The $65 billion U.S. furniture industry today is at a crossroads. Globalization, powerful shifts in traditional manufacturing and marketing practices, and new marketplace competitors are all critical factors. Capo observed, "The task of the association for the years to come will be to help retailers do a better job in their business by helping them understand the complexity of today's environment."

Capo has set two major goals for his term in office: to have the home furnishings industry speak as one voice to the consumer, and to provide better opportunities for women in the industry. "Our customers are women and we are using men to sell to women's needs," said Capo. Through pro-active mentoring, recruiting and expanded awareness, he wants the association to increase women's involvement and opportunities in aspects such as design, marketing, sales, merchandising, and management.

"Pedro has been a major force in our association. His openness, energy and interest in helping other furniture retailers by sharing his successful business model experience has made him an invaluable asset to this industry. His business acumen makes him a valuable resource," said Howard Haimsohn, NHFA outgoing president.

The National Home Furnishing Association is an 83-year-old trade organization providing business services and support to home furnishings retailers in all 50 states, Canada and abroad. For additional information visit http://www.nhfa.org.

El Dorado Furniture is the largest Hispanic-owned retail enterprise in the U.S. Founded in 1967, El Dorado Furniture owns and operates eight retail stores in Miami Dade and Broward Counties, Fla. Its projected sales for 2003 are $150 million. It is wholly owned by the Capo family: father Manuel and his seven sons hold executive positions at the corporation. For information on El Dorado Furniture, please call 305/624-9700 or visit http://www.eldoradofurniture.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Photo available at this address: http://www.hispanicprwire.com/photo_ElDorado