Gordon Segal

Gordon Segal is Co-Founder, former Chairman and CEO of Crate and Barrel, an internationally recognized, multi-channel home furnishings retail chain. Mr. Segal led the company as Chief Executive Officer from 1962 until his retirement in 2008. Currently employing more than 7,000 associates worldwide, the Crate and Barrel family of brands, which also includes CB2 and The Land of Nod, has brick-and-mortar locations throughout North America, as well as franchise locations in Dubai, Mexico city, and Singapore.

Gordon and Carole Segal wanted to bring the simple, well-designed tableware they had seen on their European travels to the United States for other young couples like themselves, who had more taste than money. So in 1962, they opened a contemporary housewares store in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood, selling out of packing crates and barrels. Their innovative concept changed the way Americans view housewares and transformed the American retail environment.

A former Chairman of the National Retail Federation and a graduate and Trustee of Northwestern University, Mr. Segal also serves on several civic boards, including The Art Institute of Chicago, the University of Chicago Medical Center, the Chicago History Museum, Window to the World Communications, Inc., and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Mr. Segal is also a member of the Chief Executives’ Organization, the Civic Committee, and the Chicago Council of Global Affairs.

In 2007, Gordon Segal was inducted into the World Retail Congress’ Hall of Fame. Other recent awards include the Retailing Hall of Fame at Texas A & M, the Cooper-Hewitt’s Design Patron Award, House Beautiful magazine’s Giant of Design designation and the National Retail Federation Gold Medal Award, and induction into the American Furniture Hall of Fame.