Our Story
Meet the team guiding Ashley forward.
Meet the team guiding Ashley forward. With a commitment to our core values and a vision for the future, they’re driving innovation that shapes our path ahead.
The Power of Being a Family Company
Family ownership allows us to lead with our values first. We focus on continuous improvement, reinvestment and operational strength—making decisions that build lasting value while keeping the flexibility to adapt and grow.
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“As a private and family-owned company, we’re able to look at things over long windows and say we want to improve our performance—but we’re willing to make sacrifices to achieve the excellence and elite status we envision for Ashley Furniture.”
Todd Wanek
PRESIDENT & CEO
Ashley Foundations
Our History
In 1970, Ron Wanek founded Arcadia Furniture in Arcadia, Wisconsin with 35 employees. That beginning set the foundation for the advanced manufacturing and global reach Ashley operates with today.
President & CEO
As President and Chief Executive Officer of Ashley Furniture, Todd Wanek leads the world's largest furniture manufacturer and the largest furniture store brand in North America. Furniture is in Todd's DNA, but his passion for the business was ignited during his high school and college years, when he worked in all aspects of the furniture company, including manufacturing, shipping, machine maintenance, product design, engineering, finance and global sourcing.
From 1989-1993, Todd worked in Asia, developing Ashley's innovative supply and manufacturing base throughout China, Malaysia, Taiwan and Indonesia. In 1994, he returned to the U.S., spearheading Ashley's entrance into the upholstery category with the purchase of an upholstery operation in Ecru, MS. Todd was promoted to president and chief operations officer in 1996, assuming responsibility for Ashley's worldwide operations. In 1997, he established an outlet to sell the company's products direct to the customer, joining the retail industry with the opening of the first Ashley retail store, which has grown to over 1,100 stores worldwide. Through his proven leadership and vision, Todd became the chief executive officer of Ashley in 2002. His passion and focused commitment for improving Ashley's operations, products and services is unrelenting, positioning the company for continued growth into the future. In 2020, Todd was inducted into the Furniture Hall of Fame.
While Todd continues to focus on the future of the furniture industry, he and his family have also invested heavily in the advancements of medical research and sustainable agriculture.
Awards & Certifications
Home Furnishings association
2025
Trailblazer of the Year
Furniture Today
2024
Titan of the Industry
American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc.
2020
Furniture Hall of Fame
International home furnishings Representatives association
2014
Pillar of the Industry
G.I. Jobs
2022
Veteran Champion of the Year in Corporate America
Founder & Chairman of the Board
As Founder and Chairman of Ashley Furniture, Ron Wanek created the vision to transform the furniture industry and built the foundation for Ashley’s continued success. Ron developed an unwavering work ethic having grown up on a sharecropper’s farm, and through the family’s hobby of crafting furniture, he cultivated a lifelong passion that spearheaded his legacy. His journey in the furniture industry began in 1961 at Winona Industries, a newly formed furniture company. Building upon his experience, he partnered with a group of investors to form Arcadia Furniture Corporation in 1970. After ownership and management were restructured by Ron in 1976 and in 1982, Arcadia Furniture and Ashley Furniture merged into one company: Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC.
In an industry dominated by large companies, Ron knew that competitors in Asia could become a threat to his business model, and in 1984 he established Ashley’s blended strategy, introducing overseas manufacturing and distribution capabilities. Ron’s
determination and expertise were the driving force in laying the groundwork for one of the most incredible success stories in the history of the furniture industry. In 2006, Ron was inducted into the Furniture Hall of Fame, and he was a 2022 Horatio Alger Association inductee. He was also inducted into the Wisconsin Manufacturing Hall of Fame in 2024. Ron is still active in the company’s day-to-day operations and spends a great amount of time building relationships between educators and the industry.
Through the Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation, Ron and his wife continue to support a multitude of causes, including education, helping children in need, the arts, honoring our Veterans, medical research and more.
Awards & Certifications
Forbes
2026
Self-Made 250
Florida Council of 100
2025
Governor's Business Leader Award
Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce
2024
Manufacturing Hall of Fame
International home furnishings representatives association
2022
ICON Award
Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans
2022
Horatio Alger Award
American Furniture Hall of Fame Foundation, Inc.
2012
Furniture Hall of Fame
Chief Information & Supply Chain Officer
As Chief Information & Supply Chain Officer, Cameron leads Ashley’s global technology and supply chain strategy. In this role, he is responsible for accelerating digital and AI transformation, strengthening demand planning and forecasting, and advancing the data and analytics capabilities that power both operations and the customer experience across the organization.
Cameron began his career at Ashley in 2007 and has contributed in a wide range of hands‑on roles, including metal fabrication, grounds operations, quality control, and positions within the supply chain organization. He has spent considerable time in Asia, where he worked closely with factories and third‑party suppliers to develop quality standards, conduct inspections, and streamline global supply chain processes.
Cameron holds an MBA from High Point University in North Carolina, and a Bachelor degree in Supply Chain and Finance from Marquette University. Cameron is the son of Todd Wanek.
Awards & Certifications
International Home Furnishings Representatives Association
2023
Rising Star
Furniture Today
2022
40 Under 40
American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation
2018
Paul Broyhill Future Leader
Senior Vice President of Merchandising
As Senior Vice President of Merchandising, Laura leads the merchandising, interior design and visual teams for Ashley Global Retail and works in close collaboration with Ashley Furniture Industries, store operations, e-commerce and marketing.
Laura began her journey with Ashley in 2007 as an intern, gaining experience in finance, supply chain, and quality control. She also worked as a sales associate at Ashley HomeStore while completing her degree. In 2011, Laura moved to Asia to oversee the launch of Ashley Furniture HomeStore's first internationally owned store in Shanghai, China, while managing the international merchandising team.
Returning to the U.S. in 2014, she played a key role in launching ashleyfurniture.com and led the ecommerce operations team for four years. She then transitioned to roles in retail finance, then oversaw interior design, merchandising, ecommerce merchandising, and regional merchandising for the Ashley and Ashley Outlet brands. Most recently, Laura had overseen Ashley’s marketplace business, creating multiple new brands to expand this critical direct-to-consumer channel.
She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing, Accounting, and Finance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is also the granddaughter of Ron Wanek.
Awards & Certifications
AMERICAN HOME FURNISHINGS HALL OF FAME FOUNDATION
2023
Paul Broyhill Future Leader
Furniture Today
2023
40 Under 40
Furniture Today
2024
Women of Influence
Chief Operating Officer
As Chief Operating Officer, Travis is responsible for overseeing Ashley’s advanced manufacturing operations domestically and worldwide. His scope includes quality, automation, engineering, research and development, and plant engineering initiatives. In addition to global manufacturing, Travis also leads the organization’s warehouse, transportation, and distribution operations, ensuring an integrated, efficient network across the enterprise.
Travis began his career with Ashley in 2002, loading and transferring product for market before moving into manufacturing roles in upholstery and maintenance. In 2009, he relocated to Vietnam, where he spent more than a decade leading and expanding Ashley’s manufacturing and distribution footprint throughout Asia. Under his leadership, Wanek Furniture grew into the largest manufacturer of upholstery furniture in the world. He also led the development of Ashley’s foam pouring operations, helping establish the company as one of the largest mattress manufacturers in the United States.
Travis holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from South East Technical College in Winona, Minnesota. Travis is a grandson of Ron Wanek.
Awards & Certifications
American Home Furnishings Hall of Fame Foundation
2022
Paul Broyhill Future Leader
furniture Today
2022
40 Under 40
