Founding

Jay McMahan had a vision of providing functional office furniture to the expanding business environment in Orange County. In 1967, he opened McMahan Desk, Inc. (at 1830 South Anaheim Blvd) with the assistance of two employees. In 1996, the office moved to its present location in the Irvine Spectrum. 

Originally, McMahan supplied budget and used office furniture (economy-priced metal desks, desk chairs and filing cabinets) to local businesses. 

As demand grew, McMahan gradually added new and higher quality items, including executive furniture, open space systems, computer furniture and ergonomic seating. Again in response to growing demand, the company established a space planning, interior design and a service department.

Today

A full service company with its exquisite showroom open to the public, McMahan offers one-stop-shopping for the new and expanding office, whether large or small (including today's home office trend). And because of its long time presence in Orange County, McMahan has developed local business partners to assure its clients of quality products and timely professional service. 

Over the past thirty-nine years, McMahan's staff has accumulated the expertise and knowledge necessary to provide a more sophisticated line of products and services to an increasing number of commercial, industrial and high technology firms, as well as to county and city governments in Orange County and beyond. Since Orange County has evolved from primarily an agriculture- based economy to one of the country's major business and technology centers, McMahan has recognized the need to provide businesses with an overall design system concept featuring integrated, well-planned work spaces, furnishings and environments.  When the company moved to its present location in Irvine, they began using its DBA McMahan Business Interiors which more appropriately encompasses its business genre.

In addition, experience and research have shown that office design and environment directly affect the performance, behavior and morale of a company's employees. McMahan's recognition of such research has led to ergonomics, where scientifically designed seating provides maximum support for body weight and distribution, proper posture and fatigue prevention - all based on anatomical principles. McMahan has therefore become known as the RX of the office community. It is McMahan who is able to fill the ergonomic needs of employees on workman's compensation. It is McMahan who has the expertise to assure that when the employee returns to work, the proper environment prescribed by the physician or risk management team is in place.

 
Four generations of the McMahan family have worked at the original and present store and employs over a 35 personnel staff. The company also subcontracts as many personnel for the installation of large projects. 

The principals, Shirley McMahan, Marty, Jeff and Alan Schlom are all active at the Irvine facility. Sister Shari McMahan Richardson, Ph.D. resides in Fullerton California and is a professor at California State University-Fullerton specializing  in ergonomics. Marty assumed the position of President at the passing of Jay McMahan. Marty, along with his brothers Jeffery and Alan manages the large corporate and government accounts for McMahan. Shirley continues to assure that McMahan's clients pay in a timely manner. 

Marty, Jeff and Alan focus their attention on the local businesses and government community. Together, they have developed one of the most highly respected furniture dealerships in Orange County and the surrounding area doing business at over $20M a year with firms like Boeing, Northrop-Grumman and Raytheon. They have taken the initial vision of Jay McMahan and expanded upon it. They effectively compete with the largest of the national chains and conglomerates from their single location at the Irvine Spectrum where a reputation based on service still reins supreme. 

Future

McMahan's is destined to grow and progress along with Orange County's business and technology clients. With ever increasing research and an eye for the work environment, McMahan is well positioned to continue servicing the greater Los Angeles, Orange County, San Bernardino, San Diego and Riverside areas.