Ken Smith Honored for His Distinguished Industry Service

The American Home Furnishings Alliance (AHFA) has awarded its highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, to long-time industry analyst Kenneth D. Smith.

A certified public accountant, Smith provided years of leadership and experience to BDO Seidman in High Point before he and three partners acquired the High Point practice in 2007 and founded Smith Leonard PLLC. While well-versed in assurance services for many different industries, Smith led his firm's furniture practice and was the author of the monthly publication, Furniture Insights®. He worked with manufacturers, retailers and suppliers in the home furnishings industry and headed the firm's annual statistics program, collecting and comparing company operating results, which were shared with survey participants. Broader trends in the monthly results were reported in the monthly newsletter

Smith received AHFA's award November 14 during the organization's Annual Meeting and CEO Conference in Savannah. The award was first presented in 1966 and is presented to industry executives selected for their contributions to the home furnishings industry, to AHFA and to their local community.

In presenting the award, Ethan Allen CEO Farooq Kathwari described Smith as "a consummate professional" who has lived and led by example, blending his distinguished professional ethics with an easy-going personality.

"Companies of varying sizes sought him out for insight and counsel," Kathwari pointed out, and Smith earned respect throughout the industry as a valuable resource.

At the same time, he gave generously of his time and resources to support and mentor the industry's rising accountants and financial executives.

A tireless contributor to the industry, Smith served on the AHFA Board of Directors, as well as its Finance Division and Solution Partners boards. He was also on the Furniture Discovery Center Board.

Smith grew up in High Point and attended High Point College (now High Point University). Giving back to his community has been a lifelong priority, and Smith has done everything from flipping pancakes for the Kiwanis Club to chairing the annual United Way campaign. He is past chair of the boards of High Point's Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Corporation and Regional Health Systems. He serves on High Point University's Board of Ambassadors and has held a seat on the Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club Board and the High Point Regional Foundation Board.

For this lifetime of service, Smith has received numerous awards from his hometown, including 2014 Distinguished Citizen of the Year from the Chamber of Commerce and 2017 Distinguished Citizen of the Year from the High Point Enterprise.

Smith resides in High Point with his wife, Sandra. He has a son, Rob, also of High Point, a daughter, Julie, in Raleigh, and five grandchildren.

Smith's award recognizes him as "Trusted Industry Analyst."