Long-time Invista sales representative
Kennesaw, Ga.—After spending 40 years in the flooring industry where his contagious enthusiasm and optimism for work and life created strong and enduring relationships, Mack Hale passed away unexpectedly on March 22. He was 71.
Throughout the years, Hale excelled in different roles in the mill, retail and fiber communities. Most recently, he was manager, major accounts, at Invista Surfaces, where for the last decade he played a significant role in supporting its aligned distribution networks and calling on buying groups. Prior to Invista, Hale was vice president of new business development at Carpet Co-op of America. Before that, he was Mohawk’s vice president of sales and marketing.
Steve Griffith, Invista Surfaces chief marketing officer and long-time friend and colleague said, “Mack’s passing is a tremendous loss to our Invista family and to the many people in our industry who he touched with his professionalism and infectious positive attitude.”
Born in West Texas to Mack and Margarite Hale, Hale began his career as a civilian Air Force flight instructor with several of his trainees serving at NASA. “Mack had a deep Christian faith and he lived his life with passion and drive for adventure,” said Griffith.
Curt Schultze, director of national accounts, Invista Surfaces, said when it came to motorcycles, Hale had about 75. “He loved his motorcycles and sports cars. His son called him ‘a man’s man’ because he loved to hunt, he loved to fish, all the things you would think of for someone who just grabbed hold of life and wouldn’t let it go.”
According to Schultze, Hale became the corporate pilot for Sequoia Mills. “After a short time, he said, ‘I’m ferrying all these sales and marketing people around; I can do that job.’ So he transferred into its sales and marketing division. After that he moved on to Mohawk.
“He was a guy who had industry relationships that have spanned decades,” Schultze added. “Mack was not only a good friend to many, he was a very good mentor, one that taught from experience, not from a book. Mack knew the right way to make a sale and to build a relationship and shared everything he knew. He loved to sell, loved to be with people and share his knowledge. We’re poorer for his loss, but we’re infinitely richer for having known him.”
Said former Invista employee, Ris Cowan, “Mack was such a great person to know and work with. He had such a kind nature, and he had wisdom. He knew so much about the carpet business. I got a kick out of Mack and how bemused he was with so many others trying to ‘quantify’ or over-think things. Mack did something because he knew it was what needed to be done.”
Hale is survived by his wife of 49 years, Joyce, and his sons, Hampton (Rose) and Garrett (Jennifer); grandchildren: Sophie, Jack, KiKi, Zach, and Charlie, and sister, JoAnn Ripper.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be made to The American Heart Association, via the Roswell Funeral Home, 950 Mansell Rd., Roswell, Ga., 30076.