Trinity Honors the Passing of Rob Jones

American Leather Press Release

DALLAS – February 2012 – American Leather announces the loss of veteran designer and company shareholder, Rob Jones.  Rob was one of the original investors and board members of American Leather.  Having founded his own to-the-trade upholstery manufacturing business, RJones & Associates, at the age of 19, Rob spent almost 30 years growing his business into one of the premier to-the-trade upholstery companies in the United States.  After selling his ownership in RJones in 2006 to his long time business partner and childhood friend Bryan Campbell, Rob founded an independent design business and began working with American Leather’s team of designers to help bring a broader offering of transitional and traditional designs to the American Leather collection.

“I cold-called Rob at the referral of an industry contact when I was 27 years old and trying desperately to get American Leather off the ground.  That call led to a 20-year-plus friendship.  We literally started American Leather in the back corner of Rob’s furniture factory,” said Bob Duncan, CEO and co-founder of American Leather.  “I had never met anyone with such a passion for furniture design.  He became a true mentor and friend and played such a significant role in helping me and my co-founder, Sanjay Chandra, learn the furniture business.  American Leather owes a great deal to Rob Jones.  We have lost a wonderful friend and advocate.  I will truly miss his passion for design, his friendship and his enduring spirit.”

Some of Jones’ more notable designs for American Leather included the Slink chair, the Drake sofa, the Tribeca chaise lounge, the Lewis bench and the Arlington curved sectional.  He also spear headed the launch of the Boutique collection for American Leather, which introduced various traditional designs that blended leathers and fine fabrics for the first time. Jones also had a very successful design business, creating furniture designs for such companies as Tomlinson, Carter, Directional and Dunford-Jones.

“Rob was not only a valued partner and friend to the company, he was a steward for bringing great design to the industry,” said Sanjay Chandra, company co-founder. “He stood behind the philosophy that design was about creating something that’s not only visually stimulating but provides return on investment to the user and the seller. More importantly, he believed in the sharing of knowledge and excellence to help drive momentum for the manufacturing industry in North America. Rob was a visionary and a champion to the industry who will be truly missed.”

Jones was a native Texan who grew up in the Dallas area. He studied music in college and played jazz trumpet from an early age. Later in life he taught himself to play the guitar, which grew into a passion for him.  He once called his daughter, Kara, his “favorite artist,” and loved all forms of poetry and art.  He also loved the thrill of adventure, and embraced snow skiing, water skiing and riding horses. His favorite comfort spot in his home was his back porch, which faces west and overlooks 10 acres with horses.  “It is very serene and is a great spot in a rain storm or a beautiful sunset,” he once said.

Rob passed away on Feb. 01, 2012, after a long and courageous battle with cancer.  He is survived by his wife Janice and daughter Kara, who reside in Texas.