University Loft Company CEO James Jannetides
Family man. Man of faith. Trendsetter. Innovator. Serial entrepreneur. Business dynamo. Philanthropist. James Jannetides – President, CEO and founder of University Loft Company – is all of these things, but when it comes to his commitment and contributions to the college residence life furniture market, trendsetter and innovator are probably the dominant characteristics that describe James Jannetides.
From the time in the mid-1980s when James lofted his bed to free up living space in his Southern Illinois University dorm room to today, Jannetides has never stopper innovating and raising the bar for both form and function in student furniture for college.
Upon his graduation from SIU with a degree in Marketing, James formed University Loft Company in 1986. More than a quarter century later, University Loft continues to be a global leader in the design and manufacture of solid wood modular furniture for college. Not only has University Loft Company been recognized in business publications for its astounding growth and innovation, Jannetides himself has been honored with awards like being named to the Indianapolis Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40 list and being honored as Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for 2002.
As I noted, under Jannetides’ direction, University Loft Company is also a committed corporate citizen and supporter of causes at the college, local, national and global levels. Over the years, University Loft Company has not only given tens of thousands of dollars to support worthwhile initiatives; we have also given freely of our college furniture products to facilities in need, such as an orphanage in Guatemala and a work-release center that keeps young mothers together with their children.
Jannetides is also passionate about creating jobs and manufacturing our college furniture in America. But it goes deeper than that with James; he has made it possible for University Loft products – made in America – to be exported globally. And because the college furniture products made by University Loft Company are also eco-friendly, we are proud to follow James’s example as a good steward for our environment.
From college student furniture innovation to philanthropy to global environmental responsibility, University Loft Company follows James Jannetides’ lead (even if it is hard to keep up with his energy sometimes).
To learn more about college furniture from University Loft, click here or contact us today at 800-423-LOFT (5638).
Bob
The ULoft Blog Team
About University Loft Company and our solid wood modular residence life furniture:
Since 1984, when James Jannetides built a loft configuration for his own dorm room at Southern Illinois University, hundreds of thousands of college students have enjoyed better campus living thanks to University Loft furniture. Today, University Loft serves more than 1,200 colleges, universities and related student housing partners. As Jannetides’ says: “We are always learning, always innovating, and always improving … our environment, our products, and our service. We are University Loft Company.”