NORWALK, Ohio — Mike Kenney, a Norwalk Furniture veteran who most recently was vice president of sales and marketing for the company, has been promoted to president of the upholstery and table maker.

He succeeds Dan White, an investor who agreed to serve as interim president in September 2008 when 12 families stepped forward as investors to save the business from closing.

At that time, Kenney was named vice president of sales and marketing. A replacement for his former position has not been named.

"This is a natural progression in our phenomenal four-year turn-around that has produced 20% growth every year in a down economy as well as the development of a solid management team, now headed by Mike," White said in a press release.

"We personally have worked closely together and the investors have total confidence in his thorough understanding of all aspects of the company's operations as well as his proven leadership," White said. "We are confident that we are placing a company that we love in capable, proven hands that exemplify the Norwalk culture."

Kenney is a 26-year Norwalk veteran. He worked for the old Norwalk as general manager of three Atlanta franchise stores and then as vice president of operations for 22 company-owned stores. His responsibilities have included creating operating systems, developing retail sales and sales management.

"Every day, we work from the heart to create products we are proud of and as a nimble, made-in-the-U.S.A. company, we continually remind ourselves that our mission statement is to do whatever it takes to better serve our customers," Kenney said. "This is a great opportunity for me as a person to make a difference in my community and in homes across America."

Norwalk employs 177 people and operates a 440,000-square-foot facility here offering delivery of custom products in 35 days or less.