Gorman's Leadership

Bernard (Bernie) Moray - Chairman & CEO

Bernard (Bernie)  D. Moray is chairman and CEO of Gorman’s, a four-store retail home furnishing operation based in Michigan.

A native Detroiter, Moray began his career with the furniture industry 57 years ago with Robinson’s Furniture.  After spending 18 years with this company, Moray purchased Gorman’s Furniture in 1965.

Moray opened the now-landmark Gorman’s Contemporary Gallery in Southfield, Michigan the following year.  He began expanding the company in 1975 with the opening of a 101-room store in Troy.  In 1995, the company opened its third location in Novi and most recently Gorman’s Lakeside store in 2000.

During his 35-year tenure at Gorman’s, Moray has championed the company’s growth from $200,000 in revenues in 1966 to $25 million in 2007.  An industry veteran, Moray was recognized in 1993 by the National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA) as Retailer of the Year.  The award focused on his creative motivation and recognition programs for employees of Gorman’s. 

Moray has been instrumental in orchestrating civic and philanthropic endeavors in his stores, generating over $1 million in financial support for charitable organizations such as Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Toys for Tots and the American Cancer Society. Crain’s Detroit Business honored Moray with its Executive 100 Award in 1995 for his fundraising efforts for HAVEN.

A leader in the home furnishings industry, Moray served as president in 1991 of the National Home Furnishings Association (NHFA) – an organization representing 13,000 stores nationwide.  He became a member of NHFA’s past president’s council in 1993 and was also elected to the executive committee of the Interior Design Society – NHFA’s  affiliate design group.

Moray and his wife Muriel are the parents of three children and reside in Franklin, Michigan.

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Tom Lias - President & COO

As president and COO of Gorman’s, Tom Lias oversees and manages the four-store retail home furnishing chain’s day-to-day activities.  He orchestrates merchandising, marketing and advertising strategies and is responsible for coordinating all purchasing decisions.

Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Lias began his career with the furniture industry more than 38 years ago.  His extensive retail background includes positions as an architectural artist, retail store designer, studio designer, retail trainer, general manager and vice president for a number of Michigan Ethan Allen locations.  Throughout this career, Lias quickly moved up the ranks and became marketing manager for Ethan Allen stores in Michigan and Ohio.

Prior to joining Gorman’s in 1983, Lias was co-owner and president of eight La-Z-Boy stores located in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

A graduate of the Art Institute of Pittsburgh’s School of Design, Lias resides in Troy, Michigan with his wife Chris and son David.

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