Press Releases September 9, 2026 08:30 AM

Live Ventures Honors the Life of Tim Bailey, Founder of Marquis Industries

Live Ventures Pays Tribute to Tim Bailey, Influential Founder of Marquis Industries

By Derek Hwang
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Live Ventures Incorporated commemorates the life of Tim Bailey, founder of Marquis Industries, who passed away on September 6, 2026. Bailey founded Marquis in 1997, growing it into a major carpet and flooring manufacturer in Georgia before Live Ventures acquired it in 2015. He remained involved post-acquisition to ensure a smooth leadership transition. The company highlights Bailey's integral role in shaping Marquis and honors his legacy.

Live Ventures Honors the Life of Tim Bailey, Founder of Marquis Industries
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Key Points

  • Tim Bailey founded Marquis Industries in 1997, building a leading carpet and flooring manufacturing company in Georgia.
  • Live Ventures acquired Marquis Industries in 2015; Bailey stayed on to lead the transition and develop future leadership.
  • Tim Bailey's leadership emphasized integrity and employee loyalty, values that continue to influence Marquis’s operations.
  • Sectors impacted include manufacturing (carpet and flooring), consumer goods, and regional employment in the U.S. Southeast.

LAS VEGAS and DALTON, Ga., Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Live Ventures Incorporated (NASDAQ: LIVE) and its subsidiary Marquis Industries today mourn the loss of Timothy Allen "Tim" Bailey, the founder of Marquis Industries, who passed away on September 6, 2026, at the age of 79.

Tim founded Marquis Industries in Dalton, Georgia, in 1997 and led it as it grew into one of the region's leading carpet and flooring manufacturers, today employing approximately 475 people, most of them in Georgia — people Tim regarded not as employees but as family. In 2015, Live Ventures acquired Marquis in what remains one of the most important transactions in Live Ventures' history. Rather than step away, Tim continued to lead Marquis for several years after the sale, ensuring a seamless transition and preparing the next generation of leadership before handing the reins to Wes Godfrey and Chet Graham, who serve today as Co-Chief Executive Officers.

"Tim Bailey was a good and honest man, and that is the highest thing I know how to say about anyone," said Jon Isaac, President and Chief Executive Officer of Live Ventures. "When we acquired Marquis in 2015, we weren't buying a set of assets. We were buying a company built on sound judgment, integrity, and loyal people, and Tim was at the heart of that. He stayed on to make sure it worked, and it has. Marquis is a cornerstone of Live Ventures today because of the foundation he laid. On behalf of everyone at Live, I extend our deepest condolences to Rhonda and the entire Bailey family."

"I had the privilege of working alongside Tim for many years," said Wes Godfrey, Co-CEO of Marquis Industries. "He taught us that you take care of your people, you keep your word, and you let the work speak for itself. Everything we do at Marquis still carries his fingerprints."

"Tim never wanted the spotlight, but he earned the respect of everyone in this industry," said Chet Graham, Co-CEO of Marquis Industries. "He treated the people at Marquis like family, and that is exactly how they feel about him. We will miss him, and we will honor him by running this company the way he would have."

A native of Augusta, Georgia, and a veteran of the U.S. Army, Tim moved to Dalton in 1971 as a certified public accountant, where many of his clients were pioneers of the carpet industry. He later became a principal of Grass and More before founding Marquis Industries. He was a graduate of Augusta College and the University of Georgia.

Tim is survived by his wife, Rhonda; his children, Ashley, Katherine, and Jason; and four grandchildren.

About Live Ventures Incorporated

Live Ventures is a diversified holding company with a strategic focus on value-oriented acquisitions of domestic middle-market companies. Headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, the company's subsidiaries include Marquis Industries, Flooring Liquidators, Vintage Stock, and Precision Industries. For more information, visit www.liveventures.com.

Contact

Live Ventures Incorporated
Greg Powell, Director of Investor Relations
725.500.5597
[email protected]

www.liveventures.com


Risks

  • Leadership transition risk after the passing of a foundational leader, which may affect company culture or performance.
  • Dependence on regional manufacturing and economic conditions in Georgia impacting Marquis Industries' business.
  • Potential uncertainties in maintaining operational and strategic continuity post-founder, affecting stakeholder confidence.

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