The Woodward Alumni Hall of Fame Association
Charles A. Kallil III Inducted 2007 - Class of 1966
Chuck is the son of Loretta and Charles Kallil, Sr. He grew up on North Huron Street in the old North End, attended Stickney School, and played basketball and baseball at The Friendly Center with his buddies. Friendly Center was their home away from home. These pals remain friends to this day: Greg Shamas, Dave Hanna, and Pete Atherine. Chuck, his Dad, other family members, and the neighborhood guys attended the annual summer Friendly Center Big Silver Camp together until Chuck began traveling extensively, approximately ten years ago. Those friends still attend that camp. Other friends from the neighborhood are the late Jeff Shamas and the late Mike Bush.
Although Chuck regularly travels the world for business, he remains the same old Chuck to his family and his friends. He is just one really nice, down-to-earth guy. One of his high school friends, Barb Lindsey Atherine (Class of '66) says that when you speak with Chuck, you would never know how well he has done in life. True to his ethnic background, he never forgets his family and friends.
Barb Atherine comments: "who Chuck is today, reflects his father's influence not only in Chuck, but also with the other neighborhood boys. He was a true role model and has had a huge affect on all these young men." Barb also says, "Anyone who hasn't seen Chuck for a while can sit down and talk with him as though no time has passed at all."
Another classmate, Laura Gusses Pedro, remembers helping fix up Chuck with Barbara Fielder (also WHS '66). They have been together ever since. Chuck and Barbara’s first child was a girl and they asked Laura to be the baby's godmother. Chuck and Barb named this daughter Laurie, in honor of their friend.
Chuck remembers Woodward teachers Mr. Krost, Mr. Kiker, Mr. Bahna, and Ms. Buell. He says "they certainly helped me to maintain focus on my education and planted the seed that encouraged me to stretch beyond the immediate challenges in front of me." He feels this is where he began to develop his self-confidence. Chuck also worked on the sets for the Extrav.
After Woodward, Chuck attended TU and received his degree in Education. During college, Chuck worked at the Boys' Club as a Unit Director. He stayed with the Boys' Club for two years after college graduation.
For 17 years, Chuck was with Bostich Division of Textron, Advance Machine Company, Hako/Minuteman, Magraw Edison, Phillips Drill, No-Sag Products, and FL Industries. These jobs took Chuck's family to many different states.
Beginning in 1990, Chuck joined the Fortune 500 Company, Leggett and Platt, a $5.5 billion public company that produces engineered components for a variety of industrial markets. He has steadily moved up the corporate ladder with increasing responsibilities, beginning as Division Manager of the Furniture Group, then President of its Eastern Division Bedding Group. Next, he became Vice President of L&P and President of L&P Automotive Components Unit. In 2005, he was named Vice President of L&P and President of Digital Print Technologies. Beginning this year, President of Tubing Group was added to his title. He is in charge of Wide Format Digital Printing and for its $160 million welded tube and fabrication group, serving industrial and automotive markets. He has completed 8 acquisitions in the last 12 years. International business and travel is a part of his everyday life.
Chuck doesn't have much time for leisure activities but, when he does, he prioritizes time by enjoying family activities, playing golf, and reading. He is, above all, a wonderful family man-especially to his high school sweetheart who became his bride, Barbara Fielder Kallil, his children, grandchildren, mother, and mother-in-law. Chuck's father and Barb's father are both deceased.
Barbara and Chuck live in Canton, Michigan, and have two children, Charles IV and Laurie (Chris) Mancuso. They have four grandchildren: Charles Kallil V, Hannah Kallil, and twins Chandler and Jasmine Mancuso. Chuck also has two sisters, Ann Brothers and Cheryl Leathers, and brother Krist.
Chuck is a family man who has done very well in life, works very hard at his challenging job, travels the world, and yet remains very grounded to all who know him. Chuck's success is a real tribute to his Dad and to his North End roots. When told of his selection to the Woodward High School Hall of Fame, Chuck felt very surprised and truly honored. Congratulations, Chuck!