Keith Campbell Honored with Retirement Dinner

Atlanta, GA, February 5, 2024-Keith and Shirley Campbell’s retirement dinner was held in Atlanta on February 2.

The 230 people in attendance included family, employees and a few distributors. 

Zack Zehner, current Mannington chairman and master of ceremonies for the evening, welcomed attendees, and a toast was presented by Jay Kopelson, who has worked for Mannington for 32 years. “Everyone knows that a career at Mannington provides wonderful life,” said Kopelson. He ended his toast with “I love you, Keith.”

Johnny Campbell, Keith and Shirley’s son, offered the blessing with everyone holding hands. As part of the prayer, he paid a special tribute to recently departed former CEO, Tony Kelley.

From the podium, Zehner recalled that Mannington Mills started as a “little vinyl company.” And noted that less than 3% of family-owned companies make it to the four generation of leadership. 

Zehner, who represents the fifth generation, reminded the audience that part of the “secret sauce” is the family’s decision to bring in professional leadership from outside the family. This started with Art Williams, who Keith’s father, Johnny Campbell, hired away from Armstrong. Following Art in the CEO role were Tony Kelly, Tom Davis, Russell Grizzle and now Tom Pendley.

Zehner also reiterated that 109 year-old company’s core values: care, do the right thing, work hard/play hard and control our own destiny. 

Keith’s three older sisters-Zach’s mother Joan Eliot, Carolyn Brown and Laura Campbell-spoke about growing up with their redheaded little brother, and his three children reminisced  about what it was like to live so close to the plant that they could hear the PA system as well as what it was like to do internships at Mannington.

Johnny and Keith were the first father/son duo to be inducted into the World Floor Covering Association Hall of Fame. Johnny told his son, “You will never fit into my shoes because your feet are bigger,” indicating that his son needed to make his own legacy. 

Keith, who has worked at Mannington for 46 years and will turn 70 in May, offered closing remarks before singing the Mannington song, “Show Me the Way to Go Home,” lastly reminding the audience that “God holds us in the palm of his hands.”

Keith will remain on board. He and Shirley have retired to Sarasota. 

Read more about Keith in Floor Focus’ December 2023 Focus on Leadership.

Related Topics:Mannington Mills, Armstrong Flooring