Samuel “Sam” Samelson is a Member of the Greater Washington Coalition on Jewish Life and serves as Treasurer for the Seeds of Peace Board. Now retired, Sam is the former CEO of Ex-Cell Home Fashions, Inc., where he worked for 36 years. Having joined the company when it was a small family business, he grew it over the years to become a major vendor to the retail market, supplying most major retailers in the country from Walmart to Bed Bath and Beyond, operating a factory in China, and maintaining offices in Hong Kong and New Delhi, India.

He is a certified mediator in the Florida court system and on the Executive Committee of the Lifelong Learning Academy at the University of South Florida. He has been on the Boards of the YMCA, United Way, the Boys and Girls Club, the Chamber of Commerce, and the East Carolina University Business School. In North Carolina, Sam was also President of the local temple and one of the founders of a regional savings and loan organization.

While living in New York, Sam was involved in industry associations, served on the Board of a local temple, and served as Chairman of UJA’s Bonds for Israel for the home furnishing industry. He also served as Chapter Chairman of Metro New York WPO (World Presidents’ Organization) and as Regional Vice-President and Member of the International Board of WPO.

Sam graduated from the University of Miami in 1962 with a BBA and in 1965 with a JD. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1966. Since retirement, he has served on the Board of the National Defense University and the Board of the Jewish Federation of Northwest Connecticut and has served as Co-President of his family’s temple. He married his wife, Susan, 47 years ago; they have two sons, both now married with two children each.