Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / March 13, 2003, edition 1 / Page 68
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? Wake Forest University Baptist Recognizes Tom Trollinger as a Lifetime Achievement Award recipient | Business Trailblazer Tom Trollinger has had the kind of busi ness success story that all entrepreneurs dream about. His hard work and focus on pro viding the best customer service possible have made Trollinger one of the city's most respected and admired business people. His story began 25 years when he had a promising job as assistant vice president of pur chasing at Wachovia Corp". Among his responsi bilities was purchasing furniture for the bank's headquarters and branches. With keen insight into what makes a good office furniture busi ness. he left Wachovia to start his own office furnishing firm. Contract Office Furnishings Inc. At first the times were? lean. It was just Trollinger and his wife. Kay. in the beginning. "I would go out and sell in the morning and install it in the afternoon," Tom Trollinger told The Chronicle, describing his work schedule during his company's infancy. Trollinger's easygoing nature and desire to satisfy quickly increased his client rooster, and his willingness to share his kejJTs to success with upcoming entrepreneurs gained him respect in business circles. Last year, Trollinger's company celebrated its 25th anniversary. The company has supplied furniture for such companies as Wachovia, BB&T. R.J. Reynolds and BellSouth, and offers its services not only in the city but throughout the Southeast. Trollinger now employs more than 25 people. Many of them are getting oppor tunities with Trollinger that would be hard to come by anywhere else. For example. Trollinger has provided an opportunity for African-Ameri can work space designers to excel. (There are very few blacks in the competitive furniture design field.) More than being a successful business pio neer. Trollinger has been a good neighbor to those who live in the community around his business. He has provided financiid support for the annual Boston Community Round-up. "He is a part of Boston," Sharon Wright, president of the Boston Community Round-up, told The Chronicle. "He knows what it is to give back to the community." Trollinger has also provided support for oth ers who want to follow in his shoes. He was among the group that helped start the East Area -Council, a wing of the Winston-Salem Chamber of Commerce for" black business owners. He has also been one of the strongest supporters and a former board member of the Best Choice Cen ter. Trollinger is a member of United Metropol itan Missionary Baptist Church. He and his wife have two adult children. Trollinger receives the Governors Award in 1979. \ i jj m ? 11 Tom Trollinger receives an award from Phi Beta Sigma.
Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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March 13, 2003, edition 1
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