Former furniture executive to lead L-R business school

Michael K. Dugan, Alex Lee Professor of Business at Lenoir-Rhyne College, has been named chair of the Charles M. Snipes School of Business.

Dugan joined the college in 2004 after retiring as CEO of Henredon Furniture. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from St. Michael’s College, University of Toronto, and an MBA with a concentration in marketing from Syracuse University.

"We are pleased that Professor Dugan is bringing his extensive business experience together with his teaching of leadership in leading the Charles M. Snipes School of Business," said Dr. John Sorenson, executive vice president at Lenoir-Rhyne College.

Dugan has an extensive background in business leadership. He worked for General Mills Corp. from 1969 to 1979 in various marketing and product development positions, rising to vice president, sales and marketing the Pennsylvania House division. From 1979 to 1981, he was senior vice president, sales and marketing, of the furniture division of Sperry & Hutchinson Corp. In this position, he was responsible for four companies.

In 1981 he co-founded and became president of the Jamestown Sterling Corp., a start-up company that produced solid wood bedroom and dining room furniture. In 1987, he was named president and CEO of Henredon, a manufacturer of luxury furniture. In 2004, he was named chairman and CEO of Henredon Furniture Industries with operating responsibility for the Hickory Chair company and the Pearson Company as well.

Before joining the L-R faculty, Dugan served as a member of the college’s Business Council Board Directors and on the Steering Committee of the L-R Visiting Writers Series.

He has been an active volunteer in the community, serving on the board of directors of the Hickory Museum of Art, WFAE public radio and chairman of the Frye Regional Medical Center Governing Board. Dugan and his wife, Barbara, live in Hickory.

“As a liberal arts undergraduate who became a businessman, I am intrigued with the many opportunities the Charles M. Snipes School of Business has to make a positive impact on students as well as the area business community.” he said.

©2006 Lenoir-Rhyne College