Peter Gaslow, President and CEO of Empire Office, Inc., today announces John Gols has been named President, Northeast.

As President, Northeast, Gols will lead the sales efforts in the New York region, acting as a liaison with local key players within Empire’s network of manufacturers and clients as well as setting the direction, goals, and vision for the company’s efforts in these markets. Gols will also continue to oversee the project management function and the architectural walls division throughout the country.

“John joined Empire in January 2021, and during the past two and a half years, he has proven to be an invaluable member of the executive management team,” stated Gaslow.” His past leadership experience at Steelcase and Inscape, coupled with his relationships throughout the industry, enables John to provide our sales teams with incredible insight that help us excel in our markets, grow our market share, and provide our clients with the level of service they expect from Empire.”

Peter Gaslow, President and CEO of Empire Office, today announces Jocelyn Corrigan has been named Chief Operating Officer.

In this company-wide leadership role, Corrigan will oversee corporate strategy, new business development, and the strategic services departments, including creative studio, design, RFP, and marketing. She will play a significant role in building and maintaining trusting relationships with key accounts, clients, partners, and stakeholders. Collaborating with Gaslow and the rest of the executive management team, she will set and drive organizational vision and ensure corporate initiatives are well-executed with proficiency contributing to the company’s overall growth.

“Jocelyn has been critical in navigating the company through our ever-changing industry and keeping us at the cutting edge in our markets,” stated Gaslow. “She is the architect behind our most exciting and innovative initiatives, including our e-commerce efforts, creative design offering, and unified corporate team approach that differentiates us from our competition.”

With over 25 years of experience working on both the dealer and manufacturer sides of the industry, Corrigan has a wealth of product and industry knowledge and uses her expertise to approach the business creatively and craft new ways of tackling an issue. Corrigan joined Empire in 2009 as a sales leader in New York and has taken on additional roles and responsibilities related to sales, strategy, and marketing throughout her very successful career.

Peter Gaslow, President and CEO of Empire Office, announces its certification as a Most Loved Workplace® backed by Best Practice Institute (BPI) research and analysis. Most Loved Workplace® validation provides the most comprehensive look at workplace sentiment for organizations today.

“We are proud to be among some of the country’s greatest organizations as a certified Most Loved Workplace,” stated Gaslow. “As a company, we emphasize the importance of providing a positive employee experience for our high-performing talent and ensuring Empire Office offers a place that encourages longevity for achieving personal and career goals.”

Empire Office has been certified as a Most Loved Workplace® because of its ongoing commitment to its employees by fostering an inclusive and flexible work environment and continuously providing opportunities for its people to grow professionally and personally.

Most Loved Workplaces® certify companies where employees are the happiest and most satisfied at work. Empire Office became certified as a Most Loved Workplace based on its scores on the Love of Workplace Index™, which surveyed employees on various elements around employee satisfaction and sentiment, including the level of respect, collaboration, support, and sense of belonging they feel inside the company.

“I started Most Loved Workplaces out of inspiration from my community of people who consciously place love for their employees at the center of their business model,” said Louis Carter, the founder and CEO of BPI and a social/organizational psychologist, thought leader, entrepreneur, and author. Carter’s book, “In Great Company: How to Spark Peak Performance by Creating an Emotionally Connected Workplace,” identifies the areas needed to become a highly respected, reputable organization where people love to work with each other – a Most Loved Workplace.

To view the company certification page for Empire Office, visit here.

Peter Gaslow, President and CEO, announces a new partnership with DIRTT, a global leader in industrialized construction, in its Florida and Alabama markets. DIRTT builds dynamic interior spaces that adapt and evolve in response to changing needs.

“The DIRTT construction system has an excellent reputation of driving efficiency and adapting to change, two of the most common requests we get from our clients on a daily basis,” stated Gaslow.

Industrialized construction combines innovative processes and technologies that enable solutions to be designed, organized, configured, and manufactured off-site, with final assembly completed at the job site. The DIRTT construction system provides total design freedom and greater certainty in cost, schedule, and outcomes. Looking beyond the first day of use, DIRTT understands that change will be required and enables reconfigurations, adaptations, and adjustments necessary over time.

“We are confident in the benefits this partnership will bring to organizations looking to build more compelling spaces to work, learn, and heal,” added John Gols, President, Northeast.

Together, DIRTT and Empire Office will empower businesses to create agile, collaborative, and sustainable work environments that drive productivity and employee well-being. While the partnership is currently available to Empire’s Florida and Alabama-based clients as well as key strategic accounts, the companies look forward to expanding to other Empire-based markets in the future.

Earlier this year, Empire Office announced the launch of its new headquarters in New York City boasting a sophisticated design to support flexibility and collaboration.

Peter Gaslow, President and CEO of Empire Office, Inc., announces the launch of Empire’s new headquarters in New York City, located at 654 Madison Avenue. On the 14th floor, the space was designed with the architecture and design teams at VMAD and inspired by industry trends and the new way of working. With an emphasis on touch-down (versus dedicated) spaces and hosting client and team meetings in an open, flexible and amenity-filled space, the newly launched HQ is also home to Empire’s executive leadership team.

“During the pandemic, we found ourselves where most companies did – working remotely,” stated Gaslow. “For a company specializing in furniture for office spaces, this could not be farther from what we expected to see looking into our future. Like the clients we support, we knew we belonged back in the office, so we began searching for a new space to support us now and into the future.”

The search led to 654 Madison Avenue, just 30 blocks north of the company’s previous location and conveniently situated near Central Park, the Queensboro bridge, and a short distance from most trains and transit.

“The building’s mid-century design and boutique nature nestled within a luxe shopping district, not to mention a few blocks from the Steelcase showroom, made it the perfect choice for us,” said Jocelyn Corrigan, Chief Strategy Officer.

Together with the team at VMAD, Empire got to work creating an executive hub with eight private offices, including a CEO suite; reservable workstations; a variety of conference room sizes and open collaboration spaces; custom work pods; a phone nook; a mother’s retreat; and an inspirational workroom housing the Creative Studio and Marketing teams.

“Our goal was to build a more purposeful and targeted space that mirrors our brand and showcases how the workplace is evolving,” added Corrigan. “We took the time to examine our needs, wants, and desires for our next HQ space in both location and amenities. Flexibility, employee well-being, and collaboration emerged as the key driving factors.”

The style of the space is Scandinavian-modern, reflected in impressive marble stone slabs, arched doorways, rich velvets, wood slats, brass accents, and a sophisticated color palette with over a dozen brands represented, including Steelcase, Coalesse, Stylex, Watson, Allermuir, Andreu World, Hem, Menu, Viccarbe, Nucraft, Spacestor, Heartwork, Minotti, Tuohy, West Elm Work, and many more.

Empire’s custom millwork division, Fabricate, crafted one-of-a-kind furniture and built-in solutions that blend with the furniture selections for a unique but uniform look and feel. Fabricate’s engineers developed shop drawings based on the conceptual renderings from the VMAD team and sourced multiple material samples to match the furniture in the space. Signature pieces include large-scale sliding entry doors, a custom stone reception desk, upholstered benches and banquettes, custom velvet-wrapped work pods, built-in pantry cabinetry and stone tops, and a curved wooden portal.

The result is a welcoming environment that promotes socialization and draws in employees, partners, clients, and visitors.

“Today’s workplaces demand flexibility with a balance of open and private spaces, fostering collaborative and individual work needs that can change at a moment’s notice, and our space is no different,” said Gaslow. “Our teams are very pleased with the outcome and the opportunity to see and collaborate with colleagues again in person. It’s a great time to be back in the office.”

In December, Empire Office celebrated one-year post-acquisition of DeKalb Office, which expanded its reach in the Southeastern U.S. with physical locations in Atlanta, GA, and Birmingham, AL. The company’s client list now boasts 41 of the top 100 Fortune500 companies in the U.S.

Together with our sponsors, Empire hosted an event earlier this month in Atlanta’s thriving West Midtown neighborhood. On the gorgeous 7th-floor amenity space of the brand-new Star Metals building, we hosted an incredible group from the design & broker communities, manufacturer partners, and clients from every vertical market.

We celebrated the launch of Empire Office in Atlanta (post-DeKalb Office acquisition) while listening to live music from Suburban Desperados and enjoying the delicious cuisine from Proof of the Pudding caterers.

Thank you to everyone who came and made the evening unforgettable! And a BIG thank you to our generous sponsors: AMQ, Arcadia, CFC Group, Complete, DesignTex, Global Furniture Group, IOA/Six Degrees, Kimball International, Krug, MRG Southeast, Main Solutions, OFS, SE Contract, SitonIt Seating, Steelcase, & WIT Contract.

Check out some images below.

Peter Gaslow, President and CEO of Empire Office, Inc., a leading provider of curated furniture & interior solutions for commercial spaces, today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire DeKalb Office Environments, Inc., establishing its local presence in Atlanta and Birmingham. The transaction will close on January 1, 2022, at which point, the DeKalb Office name will temporarily transition to DeKalb by Empire Office, along with an accompanying updated logo, website and brand identity.

With a proven 75-year history, Empire Office is a recognized leader achieving a long-standing ranking on the Crain’s New York Business’ list of the Largest Privately Held Companies in the New York area and being named as one of the ‘Best Places to Work’ by the Orlando Business Journal, among others. New York-headquartered Empire Office has grown its physical footprint significantly in recent years, first entering the Florida market in 2009 and expanding further in the state in three other subsequent acquisitions between 2012 and 2015. With the announcement of the DeKalb Office acquisition, Empire Office expands its reach within the Eastern half of the U.S., making it the largest firm of its kind in the country.

DeKalb Office has provided commercial interior solutions since 1952 and is a leader in the Healthcare and Education vertical markets. As the sole Steelcase dealership in Atlanta and Birmingham, the company has worked with approximately half of the Fortune500 companies headquartered in Atlanta. Throughout its history, DeKalb has been committed to supporting the local communities in which it operates since its inception.

“DeKalb has a great reputation in the Atlanta and Birmingham markets,” Gaslow stated. “We believe building on the DeKalb heritage, while leveraging Empire’s experience and broad reach, will enable us to offer next-level services and unparalleled support for the companies located within these markets.”

Since 1984, DeKalb Office has been led by Owner and CEO John Rasper. Under Rasper’s direction, DeKalb has built a reputation for being a creative, knowledgeable, and collaborative partner, providing innovative workplace solutions to a remarkably diverse client base. Throughout his career, John served on the Board of three local Chambers and was the Chairman of the Greater North Fulton Chamber. With the announcement of this acquisition, Rasper is also announcing his official retirement from the contract furniture industry.

“After 48 years in the industry, and 37 leading DeKalb in particular, I want to thank all of my colleagues, staff and business associates with whom I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working with over the years,” Rasper said. “With Empire at the helm, I have no doubt there will be great things ahead for our clients and partners in the years to come.”

“As a company, we are thrilled to welcome the DeKalb team into the Empire Office family,” Gaslow said. “John has done an excellent job of steering DeKalb for many years, enabling it to become the successful and respected organization it is today. We wish him all the best as he enjoys a very well-deserved retirement.”

Currently located in Alpharetta, GA and Birmingham, AL, the physical locations of the DeKalb showrooms and warehouses will remain unchanged in the immediate future.

Dear Empire Family,

This year we’re celebrating a big milestone, our 75th anniversary!

Like most small businesses, our story started with modest beginnings. Abraham Gaslow founded Empire Office Furniture in 1946. Our first sale was a desk which we hand-delivered from our office in downtown Manhattan to our financial services client on Wall Street.

Over the last 75 years, we’ve grown and expanded with new locations and additional services. Today, Empire is the largest Steelcase dealer nationwide, with 400+ manufacturers represented and over 400+ employees across the US. We are proud to be ranked as one of Crain’s New York Business’ Largest Privately Owned Companies year after year.

Through it all, our commitment to delivering comprehensive, creative, and cost-effective solutions for our clients has only grown stronger. Today, we’re thankful for our clients who have been at the heart of our company since the beginning, and we thank our team and manufacturer partners for helping to bring our mission to life.

Join us as we take a look over the past 75 years and see how far we’ve come.

Here’s to the next 75 years together!

EXPLORE OUR ANNIVERSARY STORIES:

Celebrating 75 Years | Then & Now

Celebrating 75 Years | A Q&A With Our Team

At Empire, we are proud of all that we’ve been able to accomplish in our 75 years, but what stands out is the long tenure that we have with our employees. We have some of the best in the business and their consistent dedication and hard work help make us who we are as a company.

We asked some of our seasoned employees to take a walk down memory lane with us and recall some of their favorite memories over the years. Here’s what they had to say.

WHAT IS AN EARLY OR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM OVER THE YEARS?

• “I was 21 years old when I first started and only one week out of college with an Interior Design degree. In the early 80’s there were very few jobs, so when I was offered one at Empire Office, I took it without question even though I wasn’t quite sure what a furniture dealer even was. I was hired for a 17-floor project for Chemical Bank. The salesperson and I hand wrote the order and hand-drafted the drawings.” – Judy Field, a 40-year veteran

• “On my first day, I remember walking in and seeing the receptionist. She was very nice and told me where I needed to go, but being my first day in a new office, I still felt very alone. Then walking through the doors into the sales area, the first 2 people I saw were former high school classmates of mine. I didn’t realize before I accepted the position that Empire’s owners were from my hometown, and we had mutual friends. It was a sign that I was home.” – Susie Travia, a 21-year veteran

• “When I first started, a purchase order came in for the large financial client I worked on. I received a phone call from Abe Gaslow (Empire’s founder), and he said, “thanks for taking care of them.” It stuck with me all these years that the owner of the company took a minute out of his day to recognize my efforts and say thank you.” – Pete Competiello, a 34-year veteran

• “Some of my favorite early Empire memories are the Steelcase Thanksgiving parades. We would watch from 4CC and look out on the balloons and street performers. My kids loved going when they were little, and I had the opportunity to introduce them to so many of my colleagues and clients.” – Tricia Cashin, a 33-year veteran

• “My favorite memory is the camaraderie of all my fellow employees. Back in the early days, we were like a family both in & out of the office. Also, marrying my husband!!” – Barbara King-Paluzzi, a 39-year veteran

• “One of my favorite memories was going to a project interview where the participants did not let me present my role on a project.  Instead, I was remembered from past projects for my skills and abilities and I was praised for how well I had performed. It was wonderful and a great source of pride for me that they recalled and appreciated my efforts.” – Sara Cohen, a 20-year veteran

• “The owners used to gift turkeys for Thanksgiving. That stopped when someone left their turkey under their desk for the whole weekend. The smell welcoming us back on Monday was atrocious, and that ended the turkey giving. Instead, they gave vouchers going forward.” – Gladys Colon, a 32-year veteran

• “Our holiday parties were always lots of fun and the office Halloween contests were great –what creativity and talented individuals!” – Suzanne Pelletier, a 21-year veteran

• “My earliest memory at Empire was my interview with Larry Gaslow.  We did not have computers or HR Departments in those days. He asked me to write my name on a piece of paper to check my penmanship since we wrote orders by hand. Needless to say, I was hired! – Susan Gendal, a 42-year veteran

WHAT WORK ACCOMPLISHMENT ARE YOU ESPECIALLY PROUD OF?

• “A large project for one of our national clients in New York City. It was 27 floors, and included an outside hoist, bad weather, crazy deadlines, impossible situations, and lots of pressure — we got it done on time.” – Pete Competiello, 34-year veteran

• “I am very proud of the work I did for a financial account back in the early 90’s. I covered the account for a sales rep when she went on maternity leave, and when she decided not to return following her leave, the client requested me to be the lead rep on the account because of the great job I was doing. Larry Gaslow gave me a shot to start in sales that day.” – Tricia Cashin, a 33-year veteran

• “Most recently it was doing an executive floor at the start of COVID. We were in the middle of the installation, but the client was deemed essential so we could finish. Even with the hardship of managing furniture, client expectations, and daily changing COVID protocol, we were able to complete with tremendous customer satisfaction.” – Sara Cohen, a 20-year veteran

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT WORKING AT EMPIRE?

• “It is like a big family!” – Linda Lauro, a 39-year veteran

• “The way we keep reinventing ourselves, both in brand and in function and are ahead of the industry.” – Susie Travia, a 21-year veteran

• “Working with a lot of people that I respect and learning new things every day!”– Barbara King-Paluzzi, a 39-year veteran

• “I have been fortunate to work with amazing people who I learned so much from. The job growth opportunities that I was afforded were amazing. I was a designer, a PM, a manager, and now SVP of Specifier Services and Project Management.” – Judy Field, a 40-year veteran

• “What I enjoy most is that I’m always busy and it’s never boring. I also really enjoy seeing a project through from the beginning. When you start with just a raw space and a plan, then to see the completed result, it’s so rewarding. Also, seeing a client happy makes me feel proud of the work I’ve done.” – Tricia Cashin, a 33-year veteran

• “Empire has a wonderful team of knowledgeable people which helps us to be successful with what we do. Without this, our job would be harder.” – Sara Cohen, a 20-year veteran

• “We really have great people working here. That’s what makes Empire what is it. The close relationships of my co-workers and some of our vendors throughout the years, many of whom are long-lasting friends still to this day.” – Gladys Colon, a 32-year veteran

• “Empire is extremely team-oriented and always focuses on ensuring that the best efforts are put forward both for their employees and customers.” – Suzanne Pelletier, a 21-year veteran

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU AT WORK?

• “Every day there is a new challenge. You need a combination of work ethic, pride, and accomplishment. At the end of the day, we are responsible for millions of dollars and making sure our client is satisfied.” – Pete Competiello, a 34-year veteran

• “That every day, no matter how long I have been here, I learn something new. Every day, I am challenged by an issue that I didn’t see coming and I need to solve it. And with every new thing I learn, and every new issue I resolve, I get better at my job.” – Susie Travia, a 21-year veteran

• “The people around me with bright attitudes motivate me to bring that energy to the work environment.” – Tricia Cashin, a 33-year veteran

• “My motivation comes from a very satisfied customer, and projects with no punchlist!” – Sara Cohen, a 20-year veteran

• “The people around me and the talent we have at Empire. When it comes down to it, we get it done.” – Gladys Colon, a 32-year veteran

WHAT HAS CHANGED THE MOST ABOUT EMPIRE SINCE YOU STARTED?

• “Empire has grown into a much larger machine with greater capabilities. Today, we are a true full-service provider – much more than just a commercial furniture dealer.” – Pete Competiello, a 34-year veteran

• “The size. When I started, we were one office, and one warehouse. Now we have 4 warehouses and 6 offices in multiple states. Also, the way we work has changed. The migration to work from home has also increased my focus and efficiency.” – Susie Travia, a 21-year veteran

• “Electronics. Information is easy to get to regardless of where you are working from, as well as communication with all members.” – Sara Cohen, a 20-year veteran

• “The technology has evolved tremendously. Back then everything was hand-written on a 4-part carbon copy order sheet.  Also, the company’s growth as well. To still be here after so many tragic world events, says a lot about the company’s backbone.” – Gladys Colon, a 32-year veteran

• “The changes in the business are very exciting and very competitive. I really appreciate how Empire reinvents itself to keep up with the needs of their clients, but still realizes the need for the core values that have been with us for so many years. Values that helped get us to where we are today.” – Judy Field, a 40-year veteran

EXPLORE OUR ANNIVERSARY STORIES:

Celebrating 75 Years | A Thank You

Celebrating 75 Years | Then & Now

1946 vs. 2021: the two years may have more in common than you may initially think.

In 1946, World War II had just ended the year prior. It was the start of what we would later call the “Baby Boomer” years (1946-1964). Across the country, there was unrest among Americans with frequent labor strikes and protests. Overall, people were ready to get their lives “back to normal” and rebuild after six long years of war and uncertainty.

Today in 2021, that feeling resonates in such a familiar way as we look back at the last year with the global pandemic and subsequent events that followed. While we still find ourselves in the middle of the current health, social justice and economic crises, we are hopeful for a new day just as our founder Abraham Gaslow was in 1946 when he founded Empire Office.

Despite some of those similarities, a lot has changed in the 75 years since Empire Office was founded.

Let us paint a picture of what life was like in the year 1946:

Average Costs

• A house: $5,600.00
• Wages per year: $2,500.00
• A gallon of gas: $0.15
• A new car: $1,120.00
• A dozen eggs: $0.64

Lifestyle

• 4 Television networks with only 12 hours of programming per week
• Life expectancy: 64.4 years for males, 69.4 years for females
• US Population: 141.4 million
• Popular Film Releases: The Best Years of Our Lives & It’s a Wonderful Life

Notable Inventions

• Electric clothes dryer
• First bank-issued credit card
• Tupperware
• World’s first computer (ENIAC)
• The bikini bathing suit
• Vespa scooter
• Ice cream machines

World Events

• United Nations is established
• Winston Churchill gives the famed “Iron Curtain” speech
• First Formula One Grand Prix held in Italy
• First Cannes Film Festival held in France
• UNICEF is established

Other Famous Brand Introductions

• SONY (originally, Tokyo Telecommunications Engineering)
• Chic-fil-A (originally, Dwarf Grill)
• National Basketball Association (NBA)
• Estée Lauder Companies
• Avis Rent a Car
• Iams
• Lowe’s

Notable Births

• Film
  • Tommy Lee Jones
  • Susan Sarandon
  • Sylvester Stallone
  • Steven Spielberg
• Musicians
  • Jimmy Buffett
  • Cher
  • Freddie Mercury
  • Dolly Parton
• Future US Presidents
  • Bill Clinton
  • George W Bush
  • Donald Trump

EXPLORE OUR ANNIVERSARY STORIES:

Celebrating 75 Years | A Thank You

Celebrating 75 Years | A Q&A With Our Team