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City Furniture CEO Andrew Koenig & LSF Chief Strategy Officer Amelia Fox Speak at Synapse Summit Panel “Unlocking Growth”

March 12, 2024

The annual Synapse Summit at Amalie Arena showcased many insightful panels, each led by esteemed thought leaders from our community. Among these discussions was a particularly engaging panel titled “Unlocking Growth: Strategies for Effective Decision-Making, Building Strong Cultures, and Scaling Organizations,” moderated by Dennis Hartin of Hub International. The panel featured Amelia Fox, Chief Strategy Officer of Lutheran Services Florida (LSF), and Andrew Koenig, CEO of City Furniture. Their discussions illuminated key strategies for fostering organizational growth and cultivating thriving company cultures.

Andrew Koenig, CEO of City Furniture, offered invaluable insights into the successful culture he has cultivated within his organization. Originating as Waterbed City in the 1970s before transitioning into City Furniture, the company has remained family-owned and focused on continuous improvement. Koenig emphasized the importance of respect for the team and encouraged all employees to contribute ideas for optimizing processes. By empowering employees to drive innovation from the bottom up, City Furniture has implemented over 4000 employee-generated ideas, fostering a culture of engagement and continuous improvement. Koenig also highlighted the significance of community engagement and announced an upcoming second Tampa location in Largo, showcasing City Furniture’s commitment to expanding its impact.

Amelia Fox, Chief Strategy Officer of LSF, shared her strategies for managing growth within the organization while maintaining a strong culture of accountability and transparency. Fox emphasized the importance of asking questions and reevaluating processes to align with strategic goals. LSF implemented employee advisory groups to facilitate decision-making, ensuring that employee feedback informs organizational initiatives. Fox also discussed an example of LSF’s innovative approach and impact in our community. Amelia shared a case study where, to address staffing shortages at Westminster senior living center they worked to place Afghan refugees in a variety of jobs, creating a win-win situation that not only stabilized staffing but also provided livelihoods and stability for refugee families. It also provided stable housing near a local school allowing children to get their education while their family members provided for them.  This initiative is only one example of LSF’s commitment to community engagement and social impact. 

The panel’s discussions resonated with the large audience in attendance, highlighting the importance of effective decision-making, strong company cultures, and community engagement in driving organizational growth. Through their exemplary leadership and innovative strategies, Dennis Hartin, Amelia Fox, and Andrew Koenig embody the spirit of collaboration and innovation that defines our community’s thought leaders.


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This post was written by Elevate, Inc.

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