Ann Hunzinger (middle). Ann Hunzinger of Evanston, Ill., former owner of Evanston Awning Co. and director of the Mid-American 8 Canvas Products Association board, passed away Sept. 18, 2025. She was 74. In addition to serving as director on the Mid-American 8 Canvas Products Association (MA8CPA) board, which is now known as the Midwest Fabric [...]
Image: Family of Stephen Franta Stephen J. Franta of Medina, Minn., former owner of Canvas Craft, passed away Sept. 15, 2025, after battling cancer. He was 84. Stephen started Canvas Craft in 1988 as a one-man marine canvas shop, and in 2004, his son, Max, joined the business, who is now the company’s president. He [...]
Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D., (center) receiving the award. Image: Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D. Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D., a professor at Texas Tech University (TTU), received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Science Monitor. The foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes individuals for their contributions to science and technology. Ramkumar was recognized for his work in promoting India-U.S. collaborations [...]
Image: Henry Truslow family Henry A. Truslow (Hank) of Northumberland, Pa., former chairman and CEO of Sunbury Textile Mills and chairman of the American Textile Manufacturers Institute and the Northern Textile Association, died July 10 after a six-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease. He was 86. In 1962, Truslow began his career in the textile industry [...]
Kevin Crean. Image: Bondcote Performance Textiles Advanced Textiles Association member Kevin Crean, executive vice president (EVP) of sales for Bondcote Performance Textiles, formerly Graniteville Specialty Fabrics, passed away Fri., July 4, at the age of 76. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Kevin began his career in 1973 as a sales trainee at the Graniteville Company’s [...]
Marc Shellshear, Value Vinyls Inc. new president. Image: Value Vinyls Inc. Value Vinyls Inc., a specialty textiles and fabrics provider based in Grand Prairie, Texas, announced the promotion of Marc Shellshear to president. Shellshear brings over 30 years of extensive experience in operations, sales and marketing across multiple industries including specialty textiles, fabric and shade [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 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 [...]
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