With thousands of potential nominees, we were excited just to be nominated. To win the NHFA Retailer
of the Year award is an incredible honor really beyond words to describe.

NHFA’s prestigious Retailer of the Year Awards are presented annually to recipients selected for their
outstanding contributions to the home furnishings industry, exemplary service to the community, and
personal business achievements. The award is the highest honor that the 93-year old trade association
can bestow upon a member.

Lawrance Furniture was originally founded as Modern Furniture Company in 1937 by Howard’s grandfather, Herman Haimsohn and a friend, and was located in downtown San Diego. In the mid-1950’s Howard’s father Ed took over the family business and changed the merchandising strategy from a general furniture store to a modern specialty retailer. In 1976, Howard became the 3rd generation of the family to work in the business. In 1986 Ed turned over the reins of the business to Howard, making him President. Today Howard and his wife Julie manage Lawrance Furniture as the leading retailer of modern and contemporary home furnishings in San Diego County, with locations in San Diego and Encinitas.

After serving on the Board of the Western Home Furnishings Association, in 1990 Howard was asked
to serve on the Board of Directors of the National Home Furnishings Association. He was elected
President of NHFA in 2002, and served a total of 14 years on the NHFA Board. Howard and his father Ed founded the Contemporary Design Group in 1983. www.contemporarydesign.com/ Howard currently serves as President of this organization, which has 20 member companies across the country.

Howard and his wife Julie, along with Lawrance Furniture, are active in their local community, supporting
Rady’s Childrens Hospital, Congregation Beth Israel Hunger Project which provides 1,000 meals a year to the homeless and needy, City of Hope cancer research, Susan B. Komen for the Cure, Seacrest Village senior housing and healthcare, Helen Woodward Animal Center, and Center for Community Solutions for the prevention of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Lawrance Furniture celebrates their 75th anniversary this year.