Clocking In: Voices of NC Manufacturing

E-33: Strengthening Workplace Attraction and Retention

Dr. Jenni Harris discusses the value the North Carolina Department of Commerce - Workforce Solutions Division provides to North Carolina workers.
North Carolina has long been a great place to live and raise a family. The state ranks high in quality of life, economic opportunity, and educational attainment. Despite these positive trends, North Carolina continues to lag behind neighboring states regarding employment rates.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of July 2022, North Carolina was ranked 28th in unemployment, with 3.4% of North Carolinians unemployed. Despite being 28th in unemployment, North Carolina ranks 8th in job growth, meaning there are enough jobs but not enough trained labor. The North Carolina Department of Commerce – Workforce Solutions Division is working on training to advance the careers of North Carolinians and assist organizations in locating talented and committed workers. 
The North Carolina Department of Commerce – Workforce Solutions Division provides services to businesses and organizations throughout the state. They collaborate with the state’s local workforce board offices to provide training, counseling, job placement, and other resources to help companies hire qualified workers. They also assist unemployed or underemployed individuals seeking new employment opportunities. 
In this episode of Clocking In, Phil Mintz sits down with Dr. Jenni Harris. She is the executive director of Business Services at the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Workforce Solutions division. Dr. Harris is no stranger to the broader work of the Commerce department as she has held positions in economic development, serves on boards in support of innovation and entrepreneurship, and has even been a business owner. Dr. Harris has a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of North Carolina – Wilmington, a Master’s of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University and a Doctorate of Public Policy and Administration from the West Chester University of Pennsylvania. 
Mintz and Dr. Harris discuss what type of solutions the North Carolina Department of Commerce – Workforce Solutions Division, how her experience as a business owner with employees helps with her leadership of the Business Services unit, Dr. Harris’ favorite books and more. 
LINKS
NCMEP
NC Commerce – Workforce Solutions Division
ABOUT
Phil Mintz
Phil Mintz is the executive director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Dr. Jenni Harris
Dr. Jenni Harris is the executive director of Business Services at the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Workforce Solutions division. Dr. Harris has held positions in economic development, serves on boards in support of innovation and entrepreneurship and has been a business owner. Dr. Harrus has a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of North Carolina – Wilmington, a Master’s of Public Administration from North Carolina Central University and a Doctorate of Public Policy and Administration from the West Chester University of Pennsylvania.

E-32: Protecting Those Who Protect Us

Youngsville-based manufacturer Sirchie Corp works to transform law enforcement equipment.
Law enforcement officers are often required to carry out their duties in dangerous situations. They provide surveilance, investigate crimes, and suppoet security at public events and must be prepared at all times. 
There are various types of law enforcement support equipment. These include riot gear, body armor, firearms, and vehicles along with evidence processing materials and secure storage devices. These items are essential for keeping the peace and ensuring safety. One North Carolina manufacturer works diligently to create the equipment that officers and detectives need to face anything.
Based in Youngsville, North Carolina, Sirchie Corp manufactures high-quality criminal investigation, tactical, surveillance, and other law enforcement-related solutions, including customized special purpose vehicles. They deliver industry-leading training for public safety, medical, and education communities featuring hands-on learning techniques.
In this episode, Phil Mintz sits down with Dyer Bennett, the senior vice president at Sirchie Corp. Bennett is responsible for leading all aspects of the business operation, including purchasing, manufacturing, engineering, inventory management, and order fulfillment/shipping. He also builds teams to meet the Sirchie goals of delivering world-class criminal investigation and security products with excellent customer service. Bennett has a Bachelor’s in textile engineering from Philadelphia University, a Master’s in textile science from the Institute of Textile Technology and an MBA from the Wake Forest School of Business.
Mintz and Bennett discuss Bennett’s background, what solutions Sirchie Corp provides, how they aim to make police work more accessible and safer and more. 
LINKS
NCMEP
Sirchie Corp
ABOUT
Phil Mintz
Phil Mintz is the executive director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Dyer Bennett
Dyer Bennett is the senior vice president at Sirchie Corp. He’s responsible for leading all aspects of the business operation including purchasing, manufacturing, engineering, inventory management, and order fulfillment/shipping. He also builds teams to meet the SIRCHIE goals of delivering world-class criminal investigation and security products with excellent customer service. Bennett has a Bachelor’s in textile engineering from Philadelphia University, a Master’s in textile science from the Institute of Textile Technology and an MBA from the Wake Forest School of Business.

E-31: Putting Customer Success Before Profit

An Asheville, North Carolina-based business boasts a 60% rate of repeat customers because of their excellent customer relations.
How often do you hear companies talk about customer success? You’d be surprised to learn that customer success is a relatively new concept.
Customer success is a term that describes the relationship between customers and businesses. The goal is to provide exceptional service and support to customers and ensure they continue returning for future purchases. North Carolina organization, Quis Machinery, has put this concept into action dedicated to putting its customer’s best interests first. 
Located in Asheville, North Carolina, Quis Machinery uses its expertise in production to provide the manufacturing industry with solutions to improve its people, products, and processes. Their customers look to them when frustrated by the lack of qualified labor, the cost of creating high-quality customized goods or replacing antiquated production methods. Quis Machinery works with premier manufacturers of machinery and software to develop solutions that leverage your investment.
In this episode of Clocking In, Phil Mintz sits down with Jason Dingess, president and owner of Quis Machinery. Jason began his career as an apprentice to a master furniture maker before attending Inside Passage School of Craftsmen. His love of woodworking, building community and having a family of his own initially led him to work for Quis Machinery. In 2017, he became the owner. He is very involved within the industry as the WMIA Technology Committee Chairperson and In 2018, he was named one of Woodworking Network’s top 40 under 40. Jason graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor’s in Arts.
Mintz and Dingess discuss how Dingess got into the woodworking industry, the solutions Quis Machinery provides, how their customer’s ideas influence the way they do business, how reshoring back to North Carolina is becoming a trend and more. 
LINKS
NCMEP
Quis Machinery
ABOUT
Phil Mintz
Phil Mintz is the executive director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Jason Dingess
Jason Dingess is the president and owner of Quis Machinery. Jason began his career as an apprentice to a master furniture maker before attending Inside Passage School of Craftsmen. His love of woodworking, building community and having a family of his own initially led him to work for Quis Machinery. In 2017, he became the owner. He is very involved within the industry as the WMIA Technology Committee Chairperson and In 2018, he was named one of Woodworking Network’s top 40 under 40. Jason graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor’s in Arts.

E-30: Threading the Needle of Quality

Burlington, North Carolina-based fabrics manufacturer, Fairystone Fabrics, has earned its reputation for technical expertise.
North Carolina has long been known for its textile production. From the early days of cotton production through the Civil War era, North Carolina was a major producer of textiles. Today,  North Carolina produces over half of the nation’s cotton and more than 40 percent of the nation’s woolen fabric. The state also produces more than 50 percent of the nation‘s rayon fabric and 25 percent of the nation‟s linen fabric. Fairystone Fabrics has been a part of contributing to North Carolina’s booming fabric industry for 50 years. 
Based in Burlington, North Carolina, Fairystone Fabrics specializes in tricot warping, knitting and sueding. The company’s machinery operates 24/7 or 24/6, working around the clock to create quality textiles. 0% of Fairystone Fabrics waste ends up in landfills; all of the waste products are reused, recycled or used as fuel for power plants.
In this episode of Clocking In, Phil Mintz talks with Chris Rojas, the vice president of Fairystone Fabrics. Chris has been at Fairystone for over five years. He started as the plant manager and was later promoted to vice president. Chris is a part of the Wolfpack family and graduated from NC State with a Bachelor’s in textile management. 
Mintz and Rojas discuss Chris Rojas’ background, the products Fairystone fabrics provide, how they’re comparing supply chain issues and more.
LINKS
NCMEP
Fairystone Fabrics
ABOUT
Phil Mintz
Phil Mintz is the executive director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Chris Rojas
Chris Rojas is the vice president of Fairystone Fabrics. Chris has been at Fairystone for over five years. He started as the plant manager and was later promoted to vice president. Chris is a part of the Wolfpack family and graduated from NC State with a Bachelor’s in textile management. 

E-29: Community Colleges Provide a Pathway to Business Success

Local community colleges are built to provide North Carolina businesses with sustainable solutions.
In 1957, the North Carolina General Assembly adopted the first Community College Act and provided funding for community colleges. By 1966, there were 43 institutions with 28,250 full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollments. In 1969, there were 54 institutions with 59,329 FTE. The system had grown very rapidly, exceeding ten percent annually nearly every year until the late 1970s. The number of colleges has not increased since Brunswick Community College became the 58th in 1978.  The North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS) through its Customized Training Program is one of the ten partners of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP).
The mission of the NCCCS is to open the door to high-quality, accessible educational opportunities that minimize barriers to post-secondary education, maximize student success, develop a globally and multi-culturally competent workforce, and improve the lives and well-being of individuals by providing education, support and services. NCCCS also helps businesses to recruit the talent and skills needed, train and develop their workforce to help retain their employees, and expand their workforce to meet the growing and diversified needs.
We’re clocking in with the vice president of economic development of NCCCS, Dr. Bruce Mack. Dr. Mack has earned an associate’s in applied science from Gaston College, a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering Technology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, a Master’s in Engineering from North Carolina State University and a Doctorate in Education from Gardner-Webb University. 
In this episode, Mintz and Dr. Mack discuss the relationship between NCMEP and NCCCS, the journey Dr. Mack took to become the vice president of the NCCCS, what solutions NCCCS provides to North Carolina business and more.
LINKS
NCMEP
North Carolina Community College System
ABOUT
Phil Mintz
Phil Mintz is the executive director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Dr. Bruce Mack
Dr. Bruce Mack is the vice president of economic development for the North Carolina Community College System. Dr. Mack has earned an associate’s in applied science from Gaston College, a Bachelor’s of Science in Engineering Technology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Master’s in Engineering from North Carolina State University and a Doctorate in Education from Gardner-Webb University.

E-28: East Carolina University Strives to Help North Carolina Businesses Excel

North Carolina Manufacturing Extensionship partner, East Carolina University strives to assist businesses across North Carolina.
Founded in 1907, East Carolina University (ECU) has made quite the name for itself. According to U.S. News and World Report’s 2021 best-ranked colleges, ECU is one of the top five public universities in North Carolina. East Carolina University isn’t only helping North Carolina businesses by cultivating educated and talented young people for the workforce, they also offer continuous improvement services to everyday manufacturers in all 100 North Carolina counties. 
East Carolina University is a member of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP) network and serves to sustain and support a thriving future for eastern North Carolina and beyond. The university offers a full range of business, engineering, and technology services that can accelerate the growth trajectory of local businesses regionally, nationally and globally. The business and technology professional services, which encompass management employee training and special projects, include accounting, entrepreneurship, finance, hospitality, leadership, management, management information systems, marketing, risk management, and supply chain management. Projects may be integrated into student capstone projects, incumbent employee training or serve as consulting projects.
Listen in as Phil Mintz speaks with Dr. Jason Rowe, the associate professor of marketing in the Department of Marketing and Supply Chain Management and director of the Bureau of Business Research in the College of Business. Dr. Rowe has worked at ECU for over a decade teaching sales and business-to-business marketing in the College of Business. He graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and a Master of Business Administration and from the University of Kentucky with a doctorate in business administration. 
In this special edition MFGCON 22 episode, Mintz and Dr. Rowe discuss how Dr. Rowe became interested in marketing and supply chain management, the Bureau of Business Research at ECU, the current state of inflation and more.
LINKS
NCMEP
East Carolina University
ABOUT
Phil Mintz
Phil Mintz is the executive director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Dr. Jason Rowe
Dr. Jason Rowe has worked at ECU for over a decade teaching sales and business-to-business marketing in the College of Business. He also serves as the director of the Bureau of Business Research in the College of Business where they focus on applied research to provide insight to business leaders and policymakers across North Carolina. Dr. Rowe graduated from Marshall University with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and a Master of Business Administration and from the University of Kentucky with a doctorate in business administration.

E-27: Breathing Easy with Bleep Sleep

Chapel Hill-based CPAP manufacturer Bleep Sleep is a breath of fresh air in the CPAP industry.
CPAP masks have been a long-standing nightmare for sleep apnea patients. Many CPAP masks on the market tend to leak, are too loud and can even result in the breaking of hair and bald spots due to headgear. On this episode of clocking in, I talked to a CPAP manufacturer who — through innovation — has eliminated many of the problems that are stereotypically associated with CPAP masks. 
Established in 2019, CPAP manufacturer, Bleep Sleep is based out of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Bleep Sleep was rated a Top  CPAP in 2019 and 2021 by CPAPAdvice.com. The organization was awarded the 2021 NIH SBIR Grant Award for PAP Innovation by the National Institute of Health.
Listen in as  I speak with the Founder, Executive Chairman and Head of R&D/Product Design of Bleep Sleep, Stuart Heatherington and CEO and President of Bleep Sleep Rebecca Holland New. Stuart is the creator of Bleep’s DreamPort solution and a 30-year pioneer in the sleep industry securing approximately 15 sleep apnea product patents during the course of his career. Rebecca has served on the board of Bleep Sleep, LLC since 2019 and directs the company’s advisory board.
We discuss the invention of Bleep Sleep’s Dreamport, how Stuart came up with the concept of Bleep Sleep, how Rebecca optimizes her years of expertise to take Bleep Sleep to new heights and more. 
LINKS
NCMEPBleep Sleep
ABOUT
Phil Mintz
Phil Mintz is the executive director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Stuart Heatherington 
Stuart Heatherington is the creator of Bleep’s DreamPort solution and a 30-year pioneer in the sleep industry securing approximately 15 sleep apnea product patents during the course of his career. As a certified sleep technician, researcher, and sleep apnea patient he has cultivated a deep domain expertise surrounding the 22 pain points that lead to poor CPAP compliance. He is a sleep lab owner with extensive experience in sales, product development and sleep apnea treatment. Stuart has been a DME and sleep apnea patient for 18 years. He has a BA in American History from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is RPSGT certified.
Rebecca Holland New 
Rebecca Holland New carries a history of helping healthcare and life sciences companies effectively scale operations to capitalize on rapidly growing market segments. Over the course of her career, she has helped several leading companies including Thermo Fisher Scientific/Patheon, Novo Nordisk and Bristol-Myers Squibb, expand market share, execute transformational business strategies and complete several public market transactions. Rebecca has served on the board of Bleep Sleep, LLC since 2019 and directs the company’s advisory board. Rebecca received an MS in Industrial Labor Relations and a BS in Economics, Marketing, and Finance from Cornell University.

E-26: Economic Check-Up with Dr. Walden

Retired William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and extension economist Dr. Walden discusses the current supply chain and workforce issues.
Dr. Michael Walden
The pandemic has put the economy into a tailspin, leaving supply chain disturbances, workforce vacancies, and spiked inflation in its wake. But what is exactly going on and how long will it last? We’re speaking to a regular guest— economist Dr. Michael Walden, to make sense of current events.
Dr. Walden is a retired William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and extension economist at North Carolina State University and a member of the graduate economics faculty with The Poole College of Management. His Ph.D. degree is from Cornell University and he has been at N.C. State since 1978. He has also been a Visiting Professor at Duke University.
In this episode, we discuss where the NC and US economy stands today.  Also, about how different factors including the continued global uncertainty of the virus may continue to have an impact for several months to come and more.
LINKS
Michael WaldenNCMEPIES
ABOUT
Phil MintzPhil Mintz is the Executive Director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Dr. Michael WaldenDr. Michael Walden is a retired William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor and extension economist at North Carolina State University and a member of the graduate economics faculty with The Poole College of Management. His Ph.D. degree is from Cornell University and has been at N.C. State since 1978. He has also been a Visiting Professor at Duke University.

E-25: Providing a Beneficial Thread for a Dependable Workforce

Laurinburg, NC-based industrial thread manufacturer Service Thread is working hard for the people who work for them.
Service Thread
According to a recent Gartner study of employees from across the U.S., only 13 percent of employees are largely satisfied with their work experiences. Additionally, nearly half (46 percent of employees) are largely dissatisfied with their work experiences. With the current labor crisis, many organizations are scrambling to find ways to appeal to the modern American workforce. On this episode of “Clocking In”, we speak with a manufacturer who invests in their employees and attracts talent in an unconventional way.
Established in 1942, Service Thread is a manufacturer based out of Laurinburg, NC that designs, develops and delivers engineered yarns and sewing threads specifically to solve product and processing problems and add value through longer running times or faster processing speeds. Service Thread has been awarded the NC Governor's Award for Workforce Development, Microsoft Award for Customer Service and NC Dept of Labor OSHA Sharp Award. In 2018, Service Thread was recognized with the IFF Greater Good Award. The Greater Good Award is given in recognition of member companies of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) that do good business and strive to be good neighbors, good citizens and good partners.
Phil speaks with the CEO of Service Thread, Jay Todd. Jay has been a part of Service Thread for 25 years and has formally held the positions of CFO and COO.  He graduated from Saint Andrews Presbyterian College with a bachelor’s in business administration, marketing and management and Elon University with an MBA in management and finance.
We discuss the services the company provides, the unique way they care for their workforce, what they’re doing to try to remedy the labor shortage and more.
LINKSNCMEP
Service Thread
 
ABOUT
Phil MintzPhil Mintz is the Executive Director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Jay ToddJay Todd is CEO of Service Thread. Jay has been a part of Service Thread for 25 years and has formally held the positions of CFO and COO.  He graduated from Saint Andrews Presbyterian College with a bachelor’s in business administration, marketing and management and Elon University with an MBA in management and finance. Jay currently serves as the Lumber River Workforce Development Board (LRWDB) Chairman and received the Board Member of the Year Award in 2009, 2013, and 2019. He also serves as the President of the Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container Association (FIBCA), Chairman of the Laurinburg Scotland Chamber of Commerce in 2019, and as Chairman of the City of Laurinburg’s Downtown Advisory Committee and as Secretary for the Scotia Village Advisory Board. Jay also serves as a board member for the Cape Fear Boy Scouts Executive Council, North Carolina Manufacturing Advisory Partners (NCMEP), Richmond Community College (RCC) Foundation and the Scotland Memorial Foundation.

E-24: Medical Stockings with a Higher Standard

Elastic Therapy, Inc., a compression wear manufacturer located in Asheboro, NC, strives to maintain its niche dominance in the hosiery industry.
Elastic Therapy, Inc.
It may come as no surprise that a state with a rich textile history also has deep roots in the hosiery industry. According to IBIS World, North Carolina leads the nation in the state with the most hosiery manufacturing mills with 64 mills as of 2021. On this episode of Clocking In, we’re sitting down with a hosiery manufacturer in Randolph county that is paving the way in compression wear.
Established in Asheboro, North Carolina in 1989, Elastic Therapy, Inc. (ETI) is a world leader in the design and manufacture of private label medical compression products. Their products are worn to aid in the treatment and prevention of vein-related disorders. ETI started with 25 associates working to manufacture medical compression products on 30 knitting machines. Today, ETI maintains 250 employees working with more than 200 knitting machines and producing millions of medical hosiery products annually.
Phil speaks with the director of operations and general manager of Elastic Therapy, Chris Harrington. His previous leadership positions include general manager at Technicolor, vice president of operations at Sony Digital Audio Disc Corporation and the head of North American operations at Draeger Safety. Chris has a bachelor’s in organizational management from Crichton College, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee and a doctorate of philosophy in Leadership Studies from NC A&T State University.
We discuss the history of ETI, how Chris got into the hosiery industry, how the pandemic has impacted ETI’s game plan, the future of the hosiery industry and more.
LINKSNCMEP
Elastic Therapy Incorporated
ABOUT
Phil MintzPhil Mintz is the Executive Director of NC State Industry Expansion Solutions (IES) and Director of the North Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NCMEP). At NCMEP, Phil drives outreach to NC manufacturers, builds relationships with federal and state leaders and coordinates efforts to drive profitable manufacturing growth in the state. He also leads the broader IES Extension Operations outreach unit of regional managers, technical specialists and business development leaders providing business engagement, assessment and improvement tools. This includes statewide peer networks, ISO 9000 quality management systems, Six Sigma, Lean manufacturing, environmental services, and health and safety solutions.
Chris HarringtonChris Harrington is the director of operations and general manager of Elastic Therapy. His previous positions include general manager at Technicolor, vice president of operations at Sony Digital Audio Disc Corporation and the head of North American operations at Draeger Safety. Chris has a bachelor’s in organizational management from Crichton College, a Master of Business Administration from the University of Tennessee and a doctorate of philosophy in Leadership Studies from NC A&T State University.