Huppin to receive national honor
Spokane businessman Murray Huppin will be recognized by the Anti-Defamation League next month, an honor he calls the most satisfying of his three-decade career.
Huppin, 54, is president and CEO of Spokane-based consumer electronics retailer Huppin’s and its OneCall online division.
He’ll receive the award from the national nonprofit at a black-tie ceremony on Nov. 8 in New York City. The award is one of several the Anti-Defamation League presents annually to people who represent commitment to social justice and business integrity.
The organization was founded in 1913 to address anti-Semitism and now combats all forms of discrimination and bias.
“I’ve been a contributor to the ADL for 30 years,” Huppin said. “It stands for ongoing education and tolerance, and those are values that are important to me.”
Huppin is one of three people getting awards next month in the ADL’s National Consumer Technology Industry division. The other two honorees are Mike Fasulo, president of Sony Electronics, and John T. White, executive vice president of nationwide retailer BrandSource AVB.
Huppin said he’s been working on his prepared remarks to be made during the dinner.
“My theme will be that the values of the ADL are perfectly aligned with my father’s philosophy and the lessons he taught me,” Huppin said. The main lesson, he said, was to treat people with respect, appreciation and fairness.
“So this award is very meaningful to me. It’s very personal,” he said.
Huppin’s has been a Spokane business for more than 100 years. It opened in 1908 as a downtown tailor shop. Murray Huppin’s grandfather, Abe, took over the store and ran it with his brother “Big Sam” Huppin, turning the business into a pawn shop and offering apparel and luggage.
In the 1950s, Murray’s father, Sam M. Huppin, took over the business and added cameras and home electronics to the store’s product line. By the 1970s Huppin’s focused exclusively on consumer electronics.
“I believe the award is probably a recognition of our longevity, of my history of building good relationships in the global consumer electronics industry, and having a solid business reputation,” Huppin said.
Huppin also has been an active member of Temple Beth Shalom and has served as the congregation president.
Paul Fish, owner of Spokane outdoor gear retailer Mountain Gear, has worked with Huppin on a number of community and business projects. He said Huppin fully deserves the ADL award.
“It is the greatest honor when a businessperson is recognized for their efforts in improving our community and society,” Fish said.
“Murray is dedicated to fighting for human rights and against hate crimes and this honor is well-earned.”