Few individuals have contributed as much to the furniture industry as Pat Norton. With a career spanning 67 years, Pat has left his mark both on the industry as a whole and on our company. Charged with being the “caretaker of the legacy”* left by the La-Z-Boy founders, Pat is credited with transforming the company and propelling it to its level today. Under his stewardship, La-Z-Boy widened its product offering and distribution system and today’s La-Z-Boy Furniture Galleries® store system was established.

There is, however, much more to Pat Norton than furniture industry accomplishments and contributions. In addition to the successes he enjoyed as an industry executive, he is an extraordinarily philanthropic and charitable individual, serving as a role model to so many. Throughout his career, while working tirelessly and effortlessly, his passion for the business made it important to take time to mentor younger executives. He has also been extremely generous to many industry, academic and civic organizations.

Career Timeline

1939 Pat begins his career in the furniture department of a local department store in St. Louis, Missouri, near his home town.

1943 Marries LaVerne Blocker and they have three children together: Krell, Kevin and Susan.

1945 After serving in the U.S. Army Air Force during World War II, Pat returns to St. Louis and manages a number of furniture stores, eventually becoming a partner in three.

1962 Pat joins Ethan Allen as a salesman, is named Vice President of Sales and Marketing four years later and is credited with building Ethan Allen’s proprietary retail network.

1972 Elected to Ethan Allen’s Board of Directors.

1981 At 59 years old, Pat joins La-Z-Boy as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing and is elected to the Board of Directors, with a plan to work for a short stint before retirement … that “stint” lasts 25 years.

1986 Pat receives the National Brotherhood Award from the National Conference of Christians and Jews.

1989 Elected to the Board of Directors of the American Furniture Manufacturers Association; receives the Human Relations Award from the American Jewish Committee.

1992 Members of the La-Z-Boy “extended family,” including sales representatives and dealers, established, in his honor, the Patrick H. Norton Scholarship Fund at High Point University.

1995 Inducted into the American Furniture Hall of Fame and receives the American Furniture Manufacturers Association Distinguished Service Award.

1997 Elected as Chairman of the La-Z-Boy Board of Directors.

1998 Receives the City of Hope Spirit of Life Award.

2000 High Point University names its Furniture Studies Hall “Norton Hall,” and awards Pat an honorary Doctorate.

2003 Pat establishes the LaVerne B. Norton Scholarship at Monroe County Community College in memory of his wife.

2006 Pat announces that he will retire from La-Z-Boy in August and the Board names him Chairman Emeritus upon his retirement.

*The Legend of La-Z-Boy; Write Stuff Enterprises, Inc.; Jeffrey L. Rodengen and Richard F. Hubbard