Havertys Furniture Appoints E. Kendrick Smith to its Board of Directors

Rhea-AI Summary

Havertys (NYSE: HVT) appointed E. Kendrick Smith to its Board of Directors effective February 17, 2026. Smith is a lawyer with 40+ years' experience, prior partner roles at Smith, Gambrell & Russell and Jones Day, and prior service as Havertys' primary outside counsel.

Smith is a descendant of Havertys' founder and brother of the Executive Chairman; management says his legal experience and institutional knowledge will support oversight of growth, operations, and stakeholder stewardship.

Positive

• Adds 40+ years of complex litigation and corporate legal experience to the board
• Brings institutional knowledge from prior decade-long role as Havertys' primary outside counsel
• Family ties to founder and Executive Chairman may support continuity in strategic oversight

Negative

• Familial relationship with Executive Chairman could raise questions about board independence or perceived conflicts

ATLANTA, GA / ACCESS Newswire / January 29, 2026 / Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. (NYSE:HVT and HVT.A) ("Havertys" or the "Company") today announced that E. Kendrick Smith has been appointed to the Company's Board of Directors, effective February 17, 2026.

Mr. Smith has practiced law for more than 40 years, specializing in complex business and tort litigation. From 1981 to 2005, he practiced with Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP, where he served as a partner, a member of the Executive Compensation Committee, and head of the Litigation Department. From 2005 to 2020, he was a partner at Jones Day. He currently continues his practice for select clients through E. Kendrick Smith Law LLC. Over the course of his career, he has represented major corporations in multistate tax litigation, constitutional challenges, and high-profile commercial disputes in state and federal courts nationwide, including Fortune 500 companies across retail, transportation, energy, and technology.

Mr. Smith shares in Havertys' heritage as a descendant of the Company's founder and the brother of Clarence H. Smith, Havertys' Executive Chairman of the Board. He has longstanding familiarity with the Company and the home furnishings industry, having served for nearly a decade earlier in his career as Havertys' primary outside counsel.

Beyond his legal career, Mr. Smith is deeply engaged in civic and cultural organizations. He currently serves as Board Chair of the Alliance Theatre in Atlanta, as well as the boards of the Woodruff Arts Center, the John & Mary Franklin Foundation, and the Clarke / Carley American Inn of Court. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law, where he served on the Georgia Law Review, and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina.

"Kendrick's deep legal and business experience-together with his longstanding familiarity with Havertys and the home furnishings industry-will add meaningful perspective to the Board's oversight of Havertys' business and strategy execution," said G. Thomas Hough, Havertys' Lead Director. "His institutional knowledge of our company and our markets will strengthen our discussions on growth opportunities, operational excellence, and stakeholder stewardship."

"We're excited to welcome Kendrick to the Board, and I look forward to partnering with him in this new capacity. His experience will help us execute with discipline and deliver long‑term value to our stakeholders," said Steve Burdette, President and Chief Executive Officer.

About Havertys Furniture

Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc. (NYSE: HVT and HVT.A), established in 1885, is a full-service home furnishings retailer with 129 showrooms in 17 states in the Southern and Midwestern regions, providing its customers with a wide selection of quality merchandise in middle to upper-middle price ranges. Additional information is available on the Company's website at www.havertys.com.

Contact:

Havertys 404-443-2900
investor.relations@havertys.com
Tiffany Hinkle
Assistant Vice President, Financial Reporting

SOURCE: Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

FAQ

When does E. Kendrick Smith join the Havertys (HVT) board of directors?

He will join the board effective February 17, 2026. According to the company, the appointment becomes effective on that date and will add legal and industry experience to board discussions.

What is E. Kendrick Smith's background before joining Havertys' board (HVT)?

Smith has practiced law for over 40 years, including partner roles at Smith, Gambrell & Russell and Jones Day. According to the company, he also served nearly a decade as Havertys' primary outside counsel earlier in his career.

How might Kendrick Smith's appointment affect Havertys' (HVT) board oversight?

His legal background and company familiarity could strengthen oversight of strategy and operations. According to the company, directors expect his institutional knowledge to inform growth and stakeholder stewardship discussions.

Does E. Kendrick Smith have prior connections to Havertys (HVT) leadership?

Yes; he is a descendant of the company's founder and the brother of Havertys' Executive Chairman. According to the company, this family connection complements his earlier role as primary outside counsel.

Will Kendrick Smith's appointment to the Havertys (HVT) board change executive management?

No management changes were announced alongside the appointment. According to the company, this is a board addition intended to enhance governance and support long-term value delivery, not an executive reshuffle.