Tri-State Office Furniture Express Hires Morgantown Native & WVU Graduate to Manage Morgantown Store
Billy Smerka can see the building that will face Morgantown’s new Tri-State Office Furniture Express from the house where he grew up. When you speak with this local coal miner’s son, you quickly realize Billy’s connection to the store he will manage doesn’t stop with geographical proximity. He shares his blue-collar upbringing and salesperson talent with Tri-State’s founding executives. Having already made sales prior to the storefront opening, Billy believes the work and business ethics he shares with his new company will serve large and small northwestern West Virginia businesses well. In short, Tri-State Furniture has built its reputation on providing customers with office furniture that suits their plans and budget exactly. Tri-State Office Furniture Express in Morgantown will also serve as a one-stop showroom for home offices to multiroom work stations.
From traditional to ergonomic chairs, standard or adjustable desks, Tri-State Office Furniture will stock the gamut of office needs. Choose individual items from the showroom, online and catalogue or work with a designer to create a perfect workplace environment. Tri-State addresses every element of the office from furniture needs to floorplans, power sources and artwork.
“Morgantown hasn’t had a store like this before,” Billy says. “People here have either had to buy new at some office supply superstore or blindly purchase something online that may not fit right or, worse, fall apart after a few months. Our new store will offer in-stock new, pre-owned and refurbished office furniture so we can always find a perfect solution.”
Our new store offers in-stock new, pre-owned and refurbished office furniture so we can always find a perfect solution
Contact
525 Granville Square, Suite 113
Morgantown, WV 26501
- Email: billy@tri-stateoffice.com
- Phone: 304-381-9119
- Hours: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Website: www.tristateofficeexpress.com
Billy says his work ethic came easily growing up in a household with two hard working parents. His father spent 40 years as a UWMA coal miner. His mother, who also worked, returned to school when her son was in middle school to better her prospects. “We owned a little bit of land at the end of a gravel road where my parents put a mobile home, they built their own house there several years later and still live there, though the road has since been paved,” Billy laughs. “They worked hard to give me every opportunity, allowing me to attend WVU and then graduate school in sports management, though I found a home in sales and have worked in the field locally ever since.”
Billy learned about Tri-State Office Furniture while doing online research. After his initial meeting with the executive team he knew he’d found a great match. “Not only do we share similar blue-collar backgrounds and a love of sales, we also think reputation is the most coveted asset when working with clients. When you sell something to someone you are asking them to trust you. That’s how you advance from one sale to a customer for life. Tri-State Office Furniture believes in the same, so people who come into the new Morgantown store will know my staff and I will offer the best arrangement from initial design to delivery and installation. If someone should have questions after a purchase they will know exactly where to find me in the store, on email or the phone.”
Billy continues to say that Tri-State Office Furniture Express and West Virginia fit well because both take pride in their authenticity. Regular Tri-State Office Furniture clients know they can solve office challenges with a simple phone call or email. The Morgantown native is excited to establish the same level of relationship with his local and regional clients, many of whom he already knows because of growing up in the area and due to Billy’s extensive charity work.
“When you grow up in place a like Morgantown you want to give back to your community as often possible,” Billy says. “I’ve been fortunate through my friendships to participate in many facets of the Hoss Foundation. All my oldest buddies would jump in to help out, like when we would spend 6 to 8 hours loading and tagging gift bags for the Gift Project. There’s always something important to contribute, whether attending United Mine Workers of America rallies or donating clothes to the Soup Opera so the disadvantaged can dress well for interviews and early days on that important new job.”
Billy also plans to support his local community when he eventually creates a design and sales team to join him at Tri-State Furniture Express. The company has always taken pride on this personal touch in their business, establishing an environment where regular and potential clients are greeted by a familiar face who understands the importance of value, whether creating 500 work stations or selecting a refurbished desk for a home office. Morgantown’s proximity to the Tri-State warehouses allows Billy’s Express store to offer a revolving showroom, in addition to catalog and eventually an online storefront.
“Having the warehouse so close is really like having it right on site,” Billy explains. “For example, if someone sees a chair he or she wants but prefers a different color, I can have it directly delivered to them in two days. It’s another benefit of working with someone you trust, whether I am consulting, walking my client through a 3-D rendering or completing an installation to total satisfaction. My customers will always know they’ve received maximum quality and the best possible solution for their project and budget.”
My customers will always know they’ve received maximum quality and the best possible solution for their project and budget
Billy Smerka remembers vividly his first night in the new home his parents had built where their mobile home once stood. He also understood from an early age how his parents had sacrificed for his success, taking advantage of his opportunities as a WVU student and a generous member of his community. Tri-State Office Furniture was founded on the same pillars of opportunity and integrity. Morgantown businesses of all sizes will want to visit the Tri-State Office Furniture Express store to learn how they can benefit from this new, exciting relationship.