Jens Petter Ekornes
Jens Petter Ekornes (2 January 1942 – 22 June 2008) was a Norwegian businessperson, known as CEO of Ekornes.
He was born in Ørsta as a son of Sigurd Ekornes (1906–) and Margit Helene Pedersen (1912–1983). In August 1963 he married saleswoman Kari Blakstad.[1] His uncle Jens E. Ekornes founded the Ekornes furniture factory and company in Sykkylven. Jens Petter Ekornes started his career at the Ekornes factory as a laborer, and took education in Oslo. He rose in the hierarchy to become chief executive, except for a period between 1987 and 1990 when he tried to start ventures of his own in Ålesund.[2]
Ekornes was a member of the central board of the Conservative Party until 2006. He served in Møre og Romsdal county council from 1999 to 2003[3] and was a deputy representative to the Parliament of Norway from Møre og Romsdal during the term 2001–2005.[4] He has also been a board member of the Regional Development Fund.[5]
He was decorated as a Knight, First Class of the Order of St. Olav in 2005, but wanted to share the honor with every one of his employees.[2] He died in June 2008.[3]
References
- Giske, Kari. "Jens Petter Ekornes". In Helle, Knut (ed.). Norsk biografisk leksikon (in Norwegian). Oslo: Kunnskapsforlaget. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
- Aurdal, Martine (16 July 2005). "Ridderen av Sykkylven". Aftenposten (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 24 May 2011. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
- Nordseth, Pål (23 June 2008). "Møbelkongen måtte gi tapt". Dagbladet (in Norwegian). p. 10.
- "Jens Petter Ekornes" (in Norwegian). Storting.
- "Offisielt fra statsråd" (in Norwegian). Norwegian News Agency. 9 June 1989.