Former longtime SP Associates owner Gabe Hill dies
April 24th, 2024
Gabe Hill, who spent 60 years in the textile industry–including 43 at SP Associates in Charlotte, N.C.–died April 13, 2024 in Abbeville, S.C. He was 89. Hill was owner and general manager of SP Associates, a well-known textile, nonwovens and apparel placement firm, before his retirement in 2017. "f you’ve been in a part of […]
Texas Tech University lab director elected to National Academy of Inventors
March 13th, 2024
Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D., director of the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech University (TTU) in Lubbock, Texas. Image: TTU Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D., director of the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech University (TTU) in Lubbock, Texas, was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Inventors' 2024 class of senior members. The […]
Amy Bircher appointed to advisory committee by President Biden
February 26th, 2024
Amy Bircher at IFAI Expo 2021 in Nashville, Tenn. President Joe Biden announced his intent to appoint nine individuals as members of the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations, including former Advanced Textiles Association chairman Amy Bircher. The advisory committee provides overall policy advice to the U.S. Trade Representative on matters in connection with […]
In memoriam: Donald “Don” Michael Reinbolt
January 22nd, 2024
Former IFAI (now ATA) chairman Donald "Don" Michael Reinbolt of Temperance, MI, died at age 77 on Saturday, January 13, 2024. He was born on June 11, 1946, in Toledo, Ohio, and was the son of Charles M. and Mary Katherine (Hartley) Reinbolt. He married his high school sweetheart from Woodward High School, Suzanne Loemker, […]
GOZEN welcomes Sedef Uncu Aki as chief product officer
January 3rd, 2024
GOZEN, a San Francisco-based biomaterials startup, announced the appointment of Sedef Uncu Aki as its new chief product officer. Aki joins GOZEN with a background in sustainability and textile innovation spanning more than 20 years. Her previous tenure as the director of product development and research at denim brand, ORTA, involved effectively creating and leading […]
In memoriam: Phillip “Phil” Eugene Russell
November 28th, 2022
Phillip "Phil" Eugene Russell, 70, of Mansfield, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2022. He passed away quietly in his home surrounded by close family members after a very long, courageous battle with cancer. Phil was born July 14, 1952, in Mt. Gilead, Ohio to Edd and Loretta Mae Russell. He grew up with two […]
In memoriam: Franz Peter Zimmer
March 8th, 2022
Franz Peter Zimmer, a visionary pioneer of modern textile printing technology, passed away in Kufstein, Austria, on February 12, 2022. He died only a few days after celebrating his 98th birthday with family and friends. Zimmer dedicated more than 70 years of his life to developing new and revolutionary ideas for textile printing, thereby significantly altering […]
Shiels joins ASTM International board of directors
January 19th, 2021
Brian P. Shiels, senior PPE engineer for ArcWear, will serve a three-year term on the ASTM International board of directors. Shiels has served in his current role since 2019, having previously held positions at PBI Performance Products before joining ArcWear in 2018. An ASTM International member since 2008, Shiels serves as chair of the Committee […]
Walker joins Colorado Yurt Company
January 6th, 2021
Colorado Yurt Company has hired Garrett Walker as director of sales. He will lead the sales and marketing teams as the company focuses on strategic growth opportunities and customer connections to the outdoors. Walker has extensive sales and management experience. Most recently, Garrett was CEO of Teilhaber Manufacturing. Previously, he held a variety of sales […]
MMI Textiles expands its leadership team
January 4th, 2021
MMI Textiles Inc., a global diversified supplier of industrial and custom fabrics and textile components with military, tactical, medical, commercial and apparel expertise, has announced one new executive hire, Kathleen Stevens as chief financial officer (CFO) and four promotions, including Debbie Grant to chief of staff, Nick Rivera to chief operating officer (COO), Geoffrey Senko […]