Fred E. Carl, Jr. is founder and current president and chief executive officer of Viking Range Corporation, a manufacturer of professional kitchen appliances for use in the home. Born in Greenwood, Mississippi, Carl attended Greenwood High School, graduating in 1966. He then continued his education at Mississippi State University, studying architecture. A current resident of Greenwood, Carl is married to the former Margaret Leflore and they have one son, Chris.[1]
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Carl, a fourth-generation building contractor, first discovered the need for a commercial quality range for the home in the 1981, when he discovered the range he wanted for the home he was designing didn’t exist. At the time, genuine commercial ranges were large, impractical, expensive, and did not meet residential building codes. Being an architect by trade, Carl went to his familiar drawing board.
After designing a prototype that combined commercial power and quality with the stylings and safety of a residential range, he gathered local investors and incorporated Viking Range Corporation. The first Viking range was shipped in 1987. Shortly thereafter, Viking opened its own manufacturing plant in Greenwood, Mississippi. Upon realizing there was room for Viking quality in every segment of the kitchen appliance industry, Viking began to expand their focus.
By the turn of the 21st century, Viking was operating three manufacturing facilities in Greenwood, producing built-in ranges and ovens, ventilation, refrigeration, dishwashers, and outdoor cooking products. The Viking line today covers all areas of kitchen need, including small appliances.[2]
The establishment of Viking's hometown of Greenwood, Mississippi as a tourist destination came with the company's opening of The Alluvian Hotel on Howard Street in 2003. Built as a subsidiary of Viking Range, The Alluvian is a cosmopolitan boutique hotel located in the heart of historic downtown Greenwood.
In 2005, Greenwood got a big shot of urban-style energy with the opening of the Viking Cooking School, The Alluvian Spa, and the Mockingbird Bakery, all Viking projects. The Alluvian Hotel and Spa, Viking Cooking School and the Mockingbird Bakery are all the work of Viking Hospitality Group, and serve as entertainment only for the corporate clientele that Viking brings to town for training and demonstrations.[3]
In addition, Carl has been involved in many other preservation projects in downtown Greenwood. These include The Fountain Building, which houses Turnrow Book Co., the Mississippi Gift Co., and Fountain Apartments. The Lorraine Building is home to The Viking Cooking School, The Alluvian Spa, and the Mockingbird Bakery. The old Conerly's building will soon be home to Port Eliot.[4][5][6]
Outside of Viking’s development, other private ventures have flourished in the blocks surrounding The Alluvian, including many museums, boutique retail stores, restaurants and antique stores. Stemming from Carl's vision for Greenwood's downtown area, the central business district is abuzz with new construction and ongoing preservation of historic structures.
Carl has taken several issues as personal initiatives and has worked to improve them over the years. In 2003, Carl donated $2.5 million to the Mississippi State University's College of Architecture, Art and Design, endowing their Small Town Center. Now known as the Carl Small Town Center, the center has developed a national reputation for its assistance to rural Mississippi towns with various aesthetic and structural challenges. Established in 1979, the non-profit unit also utilizes its community projects as real-world teaching tools for architecture majors.[1]
On May 2, 2009, Fred Carl, Jr. was awarded with an honorary doctor of science degree from Mississippi State University during the Spring 2009 commencement exercises. Fred was recommended to the Mississippi State College Board for the honor by current Mississippi State University President, Dr. Mark E. Keenum.[7]