About Us

Charles Ray founded Charles Ray and Associates in 1991 as a unique resource for affordable custom upholstery furniture to the trade. But it really began in 1949 when his grandfather, Charles Jaynes, founded Jaynes Furniture store in Athens, Ohio.

Charles worked for his grandfather in Highschool until his family moved to Lawrence Kansas. There he worked for Bud Jennings Carpet and Draperies learning a trade that developed his vision of a furniture store with finished vignettes.

He moved back to Athens, Ohio to attend college and to work in his grandfather’s furniture store. He restructured Jaynes Furniture Store and titled this chapter of his life, “When Opportunity meets Preparation, it creates Success.” He expanded the floor space of the store and added carpet, draperies, and well-designed vignettes for that perfect room. It became a “One Stop Store” for furniture and accessories.

In 1970 Charles graduated with an MBA from Harvard. His thesis was a business plan for the Furniture Industry that he submitted to Jack and Ned Gerken of Norwalk furniture. He worked for Norwalk furniture until he opened his first showroom in AmericasMart 1991. Unique by today’s standards, it is a significant presence in the Atlanta and the Dallas Market Centers by providing custom upholstery and numerous case good vendors for Interior Design projects.

Charles Ray is one of the most highly regarded professionals in the Furniture Industry.