Gat Caperton is the CEO of Gat Creek, an American manufacturer of solid-wood home furniture employing more than 165 artisans in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia. The company sells its branded furniture through more than 150 independent retail stores nationwide and provides proprietary manufacturing for Room & Board and other national retailers.
Under Gat’s leadership, Gat Creek has become a national model for lean manufacturing, environmental responsibility, and modern craftsmanship. The company pairs hand-built woodworking traditions with state-of-the-art technology and CNC automation. Its commitment to quality and sustainability has earned widespread recognition, including the American Home Furnishings Alliance’s Distinguished Service Award in 2022. Gat Creek has also received two Home Magazine American Furniture Design Awards, the industry Sage Award for Environmental Excellence, the West Virginia Business Environmental Leadership Award, and the West Virginia Governor’s Safe Workplace Award.
Before founding Gat Creek, Gat spent six years in Chicago working for a large diversified manufacturing company owned by Sam Zell. During that time, he earned his MBA from the University of Chicago. He also holds a BA in Economics from Davidson College.
Gat currently serves as Chair of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association Board of Directors and as a member of the Shepherd University Board of Governors. He is Vice Chair of the Board of Partner Community Capital, a $100 million CDFI supporting small businesses across Appalachia. Additionally, he serves on the Board of the West Virginia Education Alliance and is a Trustee of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia.
