Dalton–The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) has named Vance Bell, chairman and CEO of Shaw Industries, to the industry’s Hall of Fame. Bell has become the 49thinductee since the Hall of Fame was established in 1992. Bell will be joining a distinguished list of industry pioneers and leaders who have received this honor. He will be inducted during a ceremony at the WFCA’s 60thAnniversary celebration at Barnsley Resort on Sept. 19.
“I am honored to endorse a well-deserved recognition to a man I’ve known for over 35 years, Vance Bell,” said Howard Brodsky, WFCA Hall of Fame member, chairman and CEO of CCA Global Partners. “He is unique, as Vance has dedicated his entire career to one company and one industry. He has believed in the flooring industry and contributed all his energy into making it better. His contributions are numerous. It’s hard to capture them all—both direct and indirect. Through his actions and strategies, he has always held a high standard of integrity for himself and his organization. He has been instrumental in building Shaw Industries into one of the top flooring companies in the world, and he did it with incredible ethics and values.”
Brodsky continued, “He has been a true advocate of making this industry superior—creating advantages for consumers, retailers and mills. I can think of no one more respected and more deserving of this honor than Vance Bell. He understands the meaning and value of ‘partnerships’ with customers. I am proud and honored to have him inducted as the newest member of the HOF. His lifelong contributions will be sealed with this recognition.”
Born in Macon, Ga., Bell attended Georgia Tech where he played football and in 1973 received a degree in Industrial Management. After graduating, he went to work for West Point – Pepperell before joining Shaw Industries in 1975. He was named chairman and CEO in 2006 succeeding Robert Shaw, the man who hired him back in the ’70s. During his decades with Shaw, Bell has worked with everything from sales and marketing to manufacturing and operations. Shaw now boasts more than $6 billion in annual sales and has approximately 23,000 employees.
“The WFCA Hall of Fame exists in big part to preserve the history of our industry and to celebrate the accomplishments of highly influential leaders,” said Ron Dunn, co-CEO of CarpetsPlus ColorTile. “Vance Bell provided stability and continuity along with innovation, vision and change during a very critical transition at Shaw and through the worst recession our industry has ever experienced. He is a highly gifted, respected and accomplished leader who asks, listens, thinks, takes ownership and action. Perhaps his greatest attributes are his grounded family values and his desire to serve others. I suspect he would say his wife should be co-recipient. He has remained humble and is a man of highest integrity. Vance Bell is certainly worthy of this outstanding recognition,”
Scott Humphrey, CEO of the WFCA, echoed Dunn’s sentiment. “The Hall of Fame is not about single events or simply an honor for those who participated but is instead about celebrating those who have worked hard to support and grow our industry’s professionalism and the people who rely on this industry for their livelihood. It is a prestigious honor for those who have left a legacy for future leaders. I have personally been blessed to grow under Vance Bell’s guidance. His leadership brought vision, which he articulated with passion. His determination to make our industry the best it can be has achieved great success for Shaw and the entire industry.”