Meet&CoHIGH POINT — In recognition of Earth Day, the Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) has honored two distinguished figures whose visionary leadership has been instrumental in advancing the organization’s mission and fostering sustainability within the furniture industry: founder Jeronimo Cooklin and longtime advocate David Mahood.
Cooklin, founder of South Cone Trading Co. in 1987 and later the SFC in 2007, attributes his environmental commitment to a transformative experience during a solo expedition in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains in 1997. Reflecting on an encounter with a centuries-old Juniper tree and a rare white wolf near Lake Mammoth, he remarked, “These moments awakened a profound realization—that my role in the furniture sector offered a unique platform to safeguard the Amazon rainforest.”
This epiphany led to the establishment of Partnerships and Technology for Sustainability, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting eco-friendly practices in the Peruvian Amazon. Under Cooklin’s leadership, South Cone became among the earliest Peruvian enterprises to achieve Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) chain-of-custody certification, underscoring its dedication to responsible sourcing.
Beyond his own ventures, Cooklin’s advocacy culminated in the 2006 formation of a coalition at High Point Market, uniting industry stakeholders and environmental advocates to lay the groundwork for the SFC. Despite its launch coinciding with the 2008 economic downturn, the SFC has emerged as a leading advocate for eco-conscious practices in home furnishings, driven by initiatives such as the Wood Furniture Scorecard and the What’s It Made Of? campaign.
“Sustainability frequently takes a backseat to cost or design considerations,” Cooklin observed. “This must evolve. Our sector possesses the capacity to drive global transformation; prioritizing sustainability is imperative.” He emphasized optimism, stating, “Through concerted individual efforts and shared commitment, we can alter the trajectory of our environmental future.”
The SFC also honored David Mahood, a sustainability consultant and author, for his decades of environmental advocacy. In a contemplative Earth Day essay, Mahood highlighted the unifying ethos of the inaugural Earth Day in 1970 as a catalyst for contemporary climate action.
“Earth Day fuels my hope. Divisions dissolve when collective environmental stewardship is prioritized,” he wrote. “Current generations confront climate challenges with heightened awareness, while future generations will inherit even greater clarity. The imperative for action is undeniable.”
As the industry navigates mounting pressures to address climate shifts, the SFC calls upon manufacturers, retailers, and consumers to recognize the significance of their decisions—urging purposeful leadership in fostering a sustainable future.
