Throwback Thursday: Executive powers

The June 4, 1979 issue of National Home Center News, the forerunner of HBSDealer, covered the creation of the Legislative Advisory Council of the Home Center Institute.

It's purpose: to ensure that the home center industry's voice was heard in the capital. And there was no shortage of big names leading the charge.

Chaired by Harvey Knell, the president of Ole's Home Centers, the members included:

• Stanley Abramson, chairman, Rickel Home Centers;

• John W. Hechinger, president, Hechinger;

Harvey Rosen, president, Handyman;

Frank W. Denny, president, Handy Dan;

Robert Strickland, chairman, Lowe's;

Ray Cooney, president, Scotty's;

Charles Tabak, senior VP, Channel Home Centers;

George Hanzi, president, Handy City;

Everett Grossman, VP Evans Retail; and

Robert Pliner, president Forest City

At the time, the issues of "particular concern" were inflation and the energy crisis.

The article also explains that the home center executives along with members of the American Retail Federation participated in a White House breakfast in which then President Jimmy Carter promised to root out unnecessary and ill-advised government regulations.