Ashley Furniture Industries, Inc. (Ashley) is the largest furniture manufacturer in the United States and one of the largest in the world. 

Furniture

Ashley Furniture

Sophia Le

Danna Szwed is the Chief Human Resources Officer at [Ashley Furniture](/org/ashley-furniture). Danna has over 20 years of experience in human resources and has spent the majority of their career in the financial services industry.

Danna started their career at Citi in 1995 as a managing director in recruitment and onboarding. In this role, they were responsible for developing a global strategy for recruitment and onboarding, as well as cultivating relationships with stakeholders in multiple countries. Danna also oversaw the design of processes, workforce data and analytics, and risk controls.

In 2016, Danna left Citi to join [Ashley Furniture](/org/ashley-furniture). In their current role, they are responsible for all aspects of human resources, including recruitment, training, employee relations, and benefits. Under their leadership, [Ashley Furniture](/org/ashley-furniture) has become a top employer in the furniture industry.

Danna Szwed has a Masters degree in Labor Relations & Human Resources from [Michigan State University](/org/michigan-state-university) School of Human Resources and Labor Relations. Danna also has a Bachelor's degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from [Michigan State University](/org/michigan-state-university).

Danna Szwed works with Michael Connolly - Chief Learning Officer, Chris Wantlin - Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital Officer, and Steve Calkins - Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. Danna Szwed reports to Todd Wanek, President & CEO.

Danna Szwed

Chris Wantlin is the Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital Officer at [Ashley Furniture](/org/ashley-furniture). Chris has over 14 years of experience with the company, starting in January 2000 as the Director of Engineering & Construction. In this role, they were responsible for the land acquisition, utilities, contracts, and the transition of manufacturing plants from leased buildings to newly constructed facilities for [Ashley Furniture](/org/ashley-furniture)'s first greenfield international multi-million dollar construction project.

In 2008, they were promoted to General Director, and then to General Manager in 2009. In 2012, they were promoted again to Vice President of Asian Manufacturing & China Retail Operations, and in 2014 they were promoted to Senior Vice President Asia Manufacturing & China Retail Operations. In their current role as Chief Information Officer and Chief Digital Officer, they are responsible for [Ashley Furniture](/org/ashley-furniture)'s online presence and operations.

Under their leadership, [Ashley Furniture](/org/ashley-furniture)'s Asia operations grew from 0 to 10,000 employees and revenue from 0 to hundreds of millions of dollars. Chris also cultivated production growth from 0 to 100,000 pieces/week in upholstery cut and sew operations. Additionally, they facilitated hundreds of millions of dollars in cost savings for US operations by hiring, developing, and managing industrial and product engineering.

Most recently, they led a 12-person e-commerce team in launching Ashley’s first transactional websites (ashley.cn and Ashley on TMall). Their successes early in their career motivated him to pursue senior leadership roles to further impact a change in the retail furniture manufacturing industry.

They work with Michael Connolly - Chief Learning Officer, Steve Calkins - Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary, and Danna Szwed - Chief Human Resources Officer. Chris Wantlin reports to Todd Wanek, President & CEO.

Chris Wantlin

As a young man, Ron Wanek’s enthusiasm for furniture was inspired by his grandfather and great uncle who built furniture as a hobby.

Working for a newly formed company called Winona Industries, Ron reported to three brilliant owners who he described as perfectionists. One was an engineer, one was a marketer and innovator, and the other was an excellent administrator. Ron was fortunate to be able to work with each of them to learn virtually every aspect of the manufacturing business.

In 1963, an opportunity arose to start a new operation in Red Wing, Minnesota, and Ron became involved in the startup and management of the business, receiving excellent mentoring. It was this history that helped create Ron’s foundation for his life and business career.

In 1970, Ron Wanek and a group of investors set out to make a difference in the furniture industry by forming Arcadia Furniture Corporation. This upstart furniture manufacturing company - with Ron Wanek responsible for establishing and managing operations - was in an industry dominated by large companies. In the beginning, Arcadia Furniture Corporation wasn’t considered a serious contender in the U.S. furniture industry.

Over the next six years, Ron learned all facets of the furniture business, including the importance of having a strong brand name. In 1976 Arcadia Furniture Corporation and [Ashley Furniture](/org/ashley-furniture) merged into one company: [Ashley Furniture](/org/ashley-furniture) Industries, Inc. The new company could now fully leverage a brand name that had been in existence since 1945. 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.

Ron Wanek

Leandra Sessions

Steve Calkins is responsible for the global legal affairs of the largest home furnishings manufacturer in the world and largest furniture retail brand in North America. 

Steve Calkins

The seeds of Todd Wanek’s passion for furniture were planted in the mid-1980s.During high school and college, Todd worked in all aspects of the business including shipping, production line, machine maintenance, product design and engineering, finance, and global sourcing.

Shortly after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Stout, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Technologies, he moved to Asia to serve as the general manager of Ashley Furniture Industries Taiwan. He continued to live and work in Asia from 1989- 1993, establishing and managing Ashley Furniture Industries business development in China, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, and Indonesia.

Todd returned to the U.S.in 1994, spearheading the purchase of an upholstered furniture manufacturing operation in Ecru, MS. At that time he assumed responsibility for Ashley Furniture Industries upholstery production as well as the company’s growing international operations. Two years later, Todd Wanek was promoted to Ashley Furniture Industries President and Chief Operations Officer, assuming responsibility for all of Ashley Furniture Industries worldwide operations.

By 1999, Ashley Furniture Industries was a major player in almost every product category and one of the best marketers in the furniture industry. Just three years later, Todd succeeded his father to become Ashley Furniture Industries Chief Executive Officer, a position he holds today. Todd is widely considered the industry’s foremost authority on international trade, manufacturing, marketing, and distribution.

Todd, through his leadership and vision, has been responsible for Ashley Furniture Industries sustained growth since he became CEO in 2002. Staying true to Ashley Furniture Industries vision, “We want to be the best furniture company, ” Todd continues to cultivate the company’s continuous improvement culture. Todd’s passion for improving Ashley Furniture Industries operations, products, and services is unrelenting to this day, positioning the company for continued growth into the future.

Todd Wanek

As the CLO, Michael Connolly helps [Ashley Furniture](/org/ashley-furniture) design and develop an agile and responsive Global Learning Organization capable of meeting the demands of digitalization as the architect of the company’s “One Learning Strategy, One Mission,” a vertically integrated, non-siloed Learning Organization.

Ashley Furniture

Org chart

Teams

Leadership Team

CEO and Executive Team

Board of Directors

Founding Team

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