A long-standing family business in Windsor, Ontario. looks to the future of furniture and appliances, stepping off the family tree for the first time in nearly 100 years.

The company recently promoted Masoud Negad to CEO.

Negad joined Tepperman’s in 1987 after emigrating from Iran to Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. where he began working as a chef, before moving to Chatham, Ontario. to manage the former Glitters Fun Eatery.

“It’s really been a great journey,” Negad said.

Negad began working in sales at Tepperman in Chatham and was promoted to management within a few years, eventually becoming general manager of Sarnia in 1991.

“Really, it’s an honor. I’m honored because I really stand with the Tepperman family,” Negad said.

“A family always avant-garde.”

He went on to say that although it is a furniture store, Tepperman’s is truly a people business.

“It’s about our customers. It’s about our community,” he said.

Negad moved to Windsor after another promotion to Appliance and Electronics Buyer in 1995, taking on the additional responsibilities of Supply Chain Manager in 2011.

In 2012, he was promoted to Vice President of Operations and Supply Chain, joining the executive team, and then Director of Operations in 2016.

“It’s a very dynamic company and they’re always thinking about what’s the next step going to look like? How can we raise the bar? It doesn’t matter how good we are. How can we get better at this game?” Negad told CTV News.

“Whether that means improving the customer experience, whether that means bringing even better value to our customers, better fashion in other regions, taking better care of our communities. And also, how we can take care of our environment at higher level.

Negad’s history in the business began when Tepperman’s had only two branches in Ontario. He now leads teams in seven markets under the Tepperman’s brand and is responsible for the overall direction of the company, including growth, risk mitigation, decision-making and culture.

“The goal is that by 2025, Tepperman will have contributed $1 million to scholarships,” Negad noted. “And more recently, Tepperman’s has embraced sponsorship of Indigenous graduate students, and we are very proud to be able to be associated with that.”

Andrew Tepperman, executive chairman, said they have always strived to continually improve, hire better people and try harder every day.

“It’s a fantastic story. It makes me think of my grandfather who also came to Canada as an immigrant and really learned about business, a different industry,” Tepperman said.

“Masoud started with us in Chatham, coming from another country and has held almost every position here. He has a lot of street cred. At the same time, he was able to obtain his MBA and PhD, so highly educated, always focused on both his personal development and strengthening the business.

Negad added that the three best things that have happened to him in his life are coming to Canada, joining Tepperman and his family.

Tepperman’s Windsor furniture store celebrates 100 years in business in March 2025.