Man with local ties becomes 'icon'

NORWALK — A Norwalk native who helped create a well-respected company recently won a nationwide award, highlighting his career commitment in the furniture industry. Chris Rice, who co-founded and serves as president of the Kellex Corp., recently received the 2025 Network of Executive Women in Hospitality Icon of Industry Award. A ceremony occurred in November during the Gold Key Gala in New York City. The award "celebrates manufacturing leaders in hospitality, honoring those who have uniquely impacted the industry for more than 30 years through their innovative hard work, consistent dedication to the community and industry outreach through education and corporate giving," according to a network statement. Rice, who lives in North Carolina today, began Kellex from Norwalk in 1994. He did so with his brother, Charlie, and Doug Fawcett. The name Kellex derives from Charlie's two children: Kelsey and Alex. Since then, it's evolved into an "industry-recognized leader in quality furniture manufacturing for the hotel industry while also giving back to the community," the statement read, heaving heavy praise onto Rice. "Chris represents exemplary leadership in the hospitality industry, cultivating a culture of excellence, service and community," the network's CEO, Chris Tucker, said. "He embodies our organization's commitment to the advancement of the profession through thoughtful investment both within his organization and the industry at large," Tucker said. "He has consistently championed the success of hospitality, uplifting both established and up-and-coming voices in a way that furthers the mission of the" Network of Executive Women in Hospitality. Rice won the award due to him being considered, among peers, as an innovator, mentor and steadfast advocate for American manufacturing. "His commitment to fostering a positive work culture has set a benchmark for the industry, proving that investing in employees' well-being translates into long-term success," the statement read. "In addition to implementing education and workforce development initiatives internally, Rice is deeply committed to supporting emerging talent in the industry, curating programming for high school and college students to learn more about hospitality manufacturing through immersive experiences," it continued. Most notably, in 2024, Rice established a design competition for interior design college students, which stems from his passion for educating future designers. "This initiative provided students with a comprehensive learning experience, combining classroom education with hands-on exposure through factory visits focused on contract furniture, specifications and industry practices," the statement read. Rice thanked everyone for recognizing him, his company and lifelong contributions to the industry. He even extended appreciation to his Maple City hometown. "I've always considered Norwalk my true hometown. It's where I was born, where I spent all my early years and where the values that shaped me really took root," said Rice, who moved from Norwalk as a teenager. "Norwalk has always felt like home to me: the place that built the foundation I've carried through my entire life and career." Growing up in Norwalk, he said, "gave me a deep appreciation for hard work, community and doing things the right way," Rice said. "Those early experiences stayed with me, and even as my path took me into the world of manufacturing and hospitality, that small-town Ohio grounding has always been a central part of who I am. It's something I'm proud of, and something I'm grateful for every day." Speaking up Rice answered some additional questions about his company: Q: What is the history behind your company? CR: When I think back to where Kellex started, it still amazes me. We began in Norwalk, Ohio — just three of us working above a garage — with a simple mission: to become the best furniture-manufacturing partner to our customers and to create meaningful employment for families in the communities around us. That commitment to people and partnership has shaped every step of our growth. We opened our first corporate office in North Ridgeville, then expanded our sales presence to Duluth, Georgia, before ultimately moving it to Hickory, North Carolina, where we're still deeply rooted today. A major milestone was acquiring Hickory Hill Furniture's 355,000-square-foot facility in Valdese, North Carolina, complete with a sawmill and full frame and upholstery operations. Later we added our 97,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Tupelo, Mississippi, which strengthened our ability to serve customers quickly and at scale. That founding spirit — "Make it here. Make it happen." — still drives us. And, today, Kellex stands as one of the largest family-owned American furniture manufacturers serving the hospitality and senior-living industries, recognized across the industry for our craftsmanship, reliability and commitment to doing things the right way. Q: What are the products your company creates? CR: At Kellex, our focus has always been on creating high-quality, American-made furniture specifically for the hospitality and senior-living industries. Our product range is broad by design: from lounge chairs and sofas to sleepers, dining seating, modular pieces and fully custom solutions. What really sets us apart is that we're not just building furniture: We're building partnerships. Because we control so much of our manufacturing, from our sawmill to our frame shop to upholstery, we can tailor products to the exact needs of our customers: whether that's a boutique hotel looking for a signature piece or a senior living community needing furniture that blends comfort, safety and durability. Beyond the product itself, we also provide design support, project customization and a level of responsiveness that only a family-owned, domestic manufacturer can deliver. It all comes back to our belief that when you combine craftsmanship, collaboration and care, you can create something exceptional for every space we touch. Q: Can you explain your approach to research and development when it comes to creating new, innovative products? CR: Our approach to research and development is really rooted in listening: listening to our customers, to the market and to the way people actually use furniture in hospitality and senior-living environments. It starts with our design team gathering insights from designers, operators and brand leaders about what's working, what's not and what's missing. From there, we study construction methods, materials, ergonomics and long-term durability to make sure every idea has a strong foundation. Because we're vertically integrated and work closely with trusted domestic partners, we can prototype quickly, test new concepts in real time and refine them based on performance. We also lean heavily on the expertise of our craftspeople; their experience on the factory floor is invaluable in shaping products that are both innovative and manufacturable. Ultimately, our research and development process is about combining creativity with practicality. We're always asking: How will this perform in a guest room? How will it hold up in senior living? How will it feel, function and last? That balance of design thinking, engineering insight and real-world application is what drives innovation at Kellex. Q: Having just surpassed your 30th anniversary in 2024, what factors do you feel have been integral to the longevity and success of Kellex? CR: Coming off our 30-year milestone, I think the reason Kellex has endured really ties back to the culture and values we just talked about. We've always led with servant leadership, taken care of our people and treated each other like one family with a lot of last names. When you build a company on trust, humility and shared purpose, longevity becomes a byproduct. At the same time, we've never been afraid to evolve. We've always stayed willing to adapt. In the end, the combination of strong values, a committed team and a mindset of continuous improvement is what's carried us through three decades, and it's what will carry us into the next. Q: What are your priorities going into the short- and long-term future? CR: As we head into the latter half of the year and look toward 2026, our priorities really center on strengthening the things that set Kellex apart. First, we're doubling down on our customer-centered approach, making sure the new marketing direction, the seamless journey mindset and our design-to-install model are fully aligned across every part of the company. We're also focused on continuing to evolve our product offering. We're building momentum in our sleeper category, and we want to bring that same level of innovation across both hospitality and senior living. Looking ahead over the next three to five years, my hope is that Kellex continues to grow in a way that stays true to who we are. We want to keep strengthening our position in hospitality and senior living, those markets are core to us, but we also see opportunities to deepen our relationships with our supplier partners and expand in areas where our capabilities naturally fit. What's most important to me is that we continue to innovate, invest in our people and protect the culture that's carried us this far. I'd like to see continued growth across our manufacturing footprint, stronger collaboration with our domestic partners and ongoing advancements in product categories. So yes, expansion is on the horizon but not for the sake of being bigger. It's about being better, more intentional and more responsive to what the market is asking for. If we stay focused on quality, service and innovation, I believe the next three to five years will be some of our strongest yet. Q: How does company culture play into all of this? CR: Our culture really starts with how we lead — and, for me, that's rooted in servant leadership. I've always believed my job is to support our people: to listen, remove obstacles and make sure they have what they need to succeed. That mindset creates trust, accountability and a sense of shared purpose. At Kellex, we often say we're one family with a lot of last names. We come from different backgrounds, but we're united by the same commitment to each other and to the work. You can feel that pride and humility on our factory floors every day. We stay strong by staying connected, communicating openly, encouraging feedback at every level and giving people opportunities to grow. Many of our leaders started on the floor, and that path is still very real here. When people feel valued and supported, performance isn't something you have to chase; it becomes the natural outcome.