j. smith young
J. Smith Young's career began more than 50 years ago, when, as a teenager, he worked summers at Dixie Furniture Company, which was founded by his uncle, Henry T. Link. Mr. Young (b.1917 d. 2001) attended Wake Forest University, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Economics. His furniture career was interrupted by a four-year tour of duty in the Navy. After training at Harvard University, Mr. Young's service on board a destroyer included several invasions, after which he returned to Lexington and employment at Dixie.
In 1950, Mr. Young became the vice president of sales and in the following years helped establish Link-Taylor Corporation, Young-Hinkle Corporation, and Henry Link Corporation, all separate but related companies. Over the years, Mr. Young became both chairman and president of Dixie and Henry Link, as well as executive vice president of Link-Taylor and Young-Hinkle.
He has taken a position of leadership in the furniture industry as a chairman of the Southern Furniture Manufacturers Association, receiving the prestigious James T. Ryan Award in 1983. Mr. Young headed the Furniture Factories Marketing Association, and the board of governors of both the Dallas Market Center and the Atlanta Merchandise Mart.
Mr. Young had an impact on the residential furniture industry like few others, through creative merchandising concepts, close working relationships with leading retailers, new manufacturing techniques, and strength in distribution and merchandising.