by Industry veteran comes to the company after nearly 30 years at Flexsteel
NORWALK, Ohio — Industry veteran Tim Newlin has been named president, chief executive officer and a member of the board at upholstery manufacturer Norwalk Furniture, headquartered here.
In making the announcement, Dan White, board chairman at Norwalk, indicated the position is effective May 1. As president, he takes on a role most recently held by Caroline Hipple, who was named chief creative officer at Hooker Furnishings.
Newlin comes to Norwalk from Flexsteel, where he spent more than 27 years, most recently as vice president of strategic business development.
During his tenure at Flexsteel, Newlin successfully led multiple teams in sales, marketing, product development and merchandising, serving as vice president of home furnishings and vice president of product management.
Newlin has also earned a reputation for having long-standing relationships and a deep understanding of the industry that comes from his varied global assignments and love of the furniture business.
In addition to his long tenure with Flexsteel, Newlin also had the opportunity to work in retail, having been store manager for Lower Valley Furniture, which is said to be the largest furniture and mattress store in Springfield, Ohio.
Newlin also received the 2024 Spirit of Life Award, presented by the International Home Furnishings Industry group and City of Hope, one of the largest cancer research and treatment organizations in the United States.
“The board of directors worked diligently to find the right leader to propel Norwalk into its next phase of growth,” White said. “With Tim’s combination of strategic leadership, innovative thinking and operational excellence, he is uniquely positioned to advance Norwalk’s industry-leading customer focus and accelerate our long-term strategy.”
Norwalk has been producing high-quality, custom upholstery for more than 100 years.
In 2020, the company transitioned to being employee-owned, deepening its commitment to its employees and the surrounding community.
“I am honored and excited to join the Norwalk Furniture team,” Newlin said. “The company has a fantastic heritage of craftsmanship and excellence, and I am committed to building upon that legacy by delivering exceptional products and service to our customers. My goal is to bring a great culture and a solid growth plan to an already engaged owner workforce. On top of all of that, it is also really special for me to be back in my home state near family and friends.”
