Live Ventures Honors the Life of Tim Bailey, Founder of Marquis Industries
Live Ventures marks the passing of Marquis Industries’ founder Tim Bailey, emphasizing his role in building the business and shaping its leadership.
Rhea-AI Summary
Live Ventures (LIVE) and subsidiary Marquis Industries announced the passing of Marquis founder Timothy Allen “Tim” Bailey on September 6, 2026, at age 79.
Bailey founded Marquis Industries in Dalton, Georgia, in 1997 and built it into a major regional carpet and flooring manufacturer that now employs about 475 people, most of them in Georgia. Live Ventures acquired Marquis in 2015 in what it describes as one of the most important transactions in its history. Bailey continued leading Marquis for several years after the acquisition to support a smooth transition and prepare successors Wes Godfrey and Chet Graham, who now serve as Co-Chief Executive Officers.
The announcement highlights Bailey’s reputation for integrity, his focus on taking care of employees, and his lasting influence on Marquis’ culture. A native of Augusta, Georgia, he was a U.S. Army veteran, a certified public accountant, and previously a principal of Grass and More. He is survived by his wife, three children, and four grandchildren.
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LAS VEGAS and DALTON, Ga., Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Live Ventures Incorporated (NASDAQ: LIVE) and its subsidiary Marquis Industries today mourn the loss of Timothy Allen "Tim" Bailey, the founder of Marquis Industries, who passed away on September 6, 2026, at the age of 79.
Tim founded Marquis Industries in Dalton, Georgia, in 1997 and led it as it grew into one of the region's leading carpet and flooring manufacturers, today employing approximately 475 people, most of them in Georgia — people Tim regarded not as employees but as family. In 2015, Live Ventures acquired Marquis in what remains one of the most important transactions in Live Ventures' history. Rather than step away, Tim continued to lead Marquis for several years after the sale, ensuring a seamless transition and preparing the next generation of leadership before handing the reins to Wes Godfrey and Chet Graham, who serve today as Co-Chief Executive Officers.
"Tim Bailey was a good and honest man, and that is the highest thing I know how to say about anyone," said Jon Isaac, President and Chief Executive Officer of Live Ventures. "When we acquired Marquis in 2015, we weren't buying a set of assets. We were buying a company built on sound judgment, integrity, and loyal people, and Tim was at the heart of that. He stayed on to make sure it worked, and it has. Marquis is a cornerstone of Live Ventures today because of the foundation he laid. On behalf of everyone at Live, I extend our deepest condolences to Rhonda and the entire Bailey family."
"I had the privilege of working alongside Tim for many years," said Wes Godfrey, Co-CEO of Marquis Industries. "He taught us that you take care of your people, you keep your word, and you let the work speak for itself. Everything we do at Marquis still carries his fingerprints."
"Tim never wanted the spotlight, but he earned the respect of everyone in this industry," said Chet Graham, Co-CEO of Marquis Industries. "He treated the people at Marquis like family, and that is exactly how they feel about him. We will miss him, and we will honor him by running this company the way he would have."
A native of Augusta, Georgia, and a veteran of the U.S. Army, Tim moved to Dalton in 1971 as a certified public accountant, where many of his clients were pioneers of the carpet industry. He later became a principal of Grass and More before founding Marquis Industries. He was a graduate of Augusta College and the University of Georgia.
Tim is survived by his wife, Rhonda; his children, Ashley, Katherine, and Jason; and four grandchildren.
About Live Ventures Incorporated
Live Ventures is a diversified holding company with a strategic focus on value-oriented acquisitions of domestic middle-market companies. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, the company's subsidiaries include Marquis Industries, Flooring Liquidators, Vintage Stock, and Precision Industries. For more information, visit www.liveventures.com.
Contact
Live Ventures Incorporated
Greg Powell, Director of Investor Relations
725.500.5597
gpowell@liveventures.com
www.liveventures.com
