Metropolis of Hope and Business Group to Honor Kevin O’Connor with Spirit of Life Achievement Award » BedTimes Journal
NEWS RELEASE
LOS ANGELES (January 28, 2026) — Metropolis of Hope and its Worldwide House Furnishings Business (IHFI) group have named Kevin O’Connor, a extremely revered business government and visionary chief, because the 2026 Spirit of Life® Lifetime Achievement Award honoree. O’Connor will probably be acknowledged for his transformative influence on the furnishings business and his longstanding dedication to Metropolis of Hope’s lifesaving mission.
Metropolis of Hope is a Nationwide Most cancers Institute-designated complete most cancers middle and a frontrunner in bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy, together with CAR T cell remedy. By its built-in mannequin of analysis, therapy and training, Metropolis of Hope has superior take care of individuals around the globe dwelling with most cancers, diabetes and different life-threatening illnesses.
The Spirit of Life® Lifetime Achievement Award is Metropolis of Hope’s most prestigious business honor, recognizing people whose skilled achievements and humanitarian values exemplify management, integrity and repair. O’Connor joins a distinguished group of previous honorees who’ve helped form the way forward for the house furnishings business whereas supporting vital medical analysis and affected person care.
“Kevin O’Connor represents the easiest of our business—an innovator, mentor and servant chief whose generosity of time and expertise has made a long-lasting influence,” stated Sharon Joyce, Managing Vice President, Transformative Giving at Metropolis of Hope. “His lifelong dedication to Metropolis of Hope embodies the true spirit of this award.”
Born and raised within the New York Metropolis space, O’Connor started his furnishings profession after serving within the U.S. Military, launching into gross sales with Ethan Allen following his transfer to Chicago. He credit his 11 years with the corporate, working carefully with business icons Nat Ancell and Pat Norton, with shaping the management ideas that guided his profession.
Through the years, O’Connor held senior administration roles at Singer Furnishings, Burlington Furnishings, Lee Industries, Hyundai Furnishings and Grasp Design Furnishings, experiences that finally led to his deep involvement with the Asian manufacturing neighborhood. In 1999, he partnered with Samuel and Grace Kuo to type Legacy Traditional Furnishings, an organization that helped redefine furnishings sourcing by way of its consolidated direct container mannequin, offering smaller retailers nationwide entry to high-quality case items at import pricing.
In 2006, O’Connor was appointed president and CEO of Samson Advertising and marketing, the advertising arm of Samson Holding, overseeing a portfolio that included Legacy Traditional Furnishings, Common Furnishings, Baker Furnishings, Craftmaster Furnishings, and Samson Hospitality. Whereas he stepped away from lively administration in 2014, he continues to function a guide to Samson Holding Chairman Samuel Kuo.
Past his skilled achievements, O’Connor has been deeply dedicated to business service and philanthropy. He served as Chairman of the Excessive Level Market Authority from 2008 to 2012, the place he performed a key function in revitalizing the semi-annual Pre-Market, and beforehand chaired each the American House Furnishings Alliance and Metropolis of Hope’s dinner committee for 12 years. His many honors embrace induction into the American Furnishings Corridor of Fame, the ADL American Heritage Award, and the IHFRA Distinguished Service Award.
O’Connor and his spouse, Madeline, at the moment reside on Kiawah Island, South Carolina, and stay actively linked to the business and to Metropolis of Hope. The O’Connor household has lengthy credited religion and neighborhood as central to their lives, values that proceed to information their philanthropic efforts.
To be taught extra in regards to the IHFI Spirit of Life Award Gala, please go to the 2026 occasion web page or contact Loren Boyko at 626-222-9764 or ship an e-mail to [email protected]
