Ronald G. Wanek
Ronald G. Wanek | |
---|---|
Born | 1941 (age 80–81) |
Nationality | American |
Occupation | Founder and chairman, Ashley Furniture Industries |
Spouse(s) | Joyce A. Wanek |
Children | 3 including Todd R. Wanek |
Ronald G. Wanek (born 1941) is an American billionaire businessman, and the founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries.
Early life[]
Wanek grew up on a dairy farm in Minnesota, where his grandfather and great uncle built furniture as a hobby.[2]
Career[]
Wanek started his first manufacturing business, Arcadia Furniture, in 1970 with a loan from his father and money he got from selling his home.[2]
In 1976, Wanek purchased Ashley Furniture, a company that had been operating since the 1940s.[2] After taking control of the company, Wanek established overseas manufacturing and distrubtion capabilities to make the business more competitive.[3]
In 2012, Wanek, "a prominent Republican donor", gave $1 million towards hosting Tampa's Republican National Convention.[4]
Personal life[]
He is married to Joyce; they have three children and live in St. Petersburg, Florida.[1][4] His son Todd R. Wanek is the CEO of Ashley Furniture.[1]
In 1998, Wanek and his wife Joyce started the Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation. The foundation donates to causes including children and families charities, medical research, education, arts and U.S. armed forces.[3]
References[]
- ^ a b c "Ronald Wanek". Forbes. Retrieved 28 February 2019.
- ^ a b c "Ronald Wanek". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
- ^ a b "Ron Wanek: Pursuing excellence". Furniture Today. 2020-12-23. Retrieved 2021-09-03.
- ^ a b "Snell Isle mansion sells for $8.4 million, highest price since 2011". tampabay.com. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
External links[]
- Furniture Hall Of Fame Inducts Ashley Founder Ron Wanek at RTO Online.
- 1941 births
- American billionaires
- Living people
- 20th-century American businesspeople
- American business biography, 1940s birth stubs