Posted May 12, 2014
ASHEBORO, N.C. – U.S. congressional candidate Keith Crisco, founder of Asheboro Elastics Company (AEC), died after falling in his home here Monday. He was 71.
Crisco, a former North Carolina secretary of Commerce, finished a close second to Clay Aiken in the Democratic primary on May 6. According to reports, Crisco was planning to concede this week to the former American Idol runner-up.
Longtime friend Jorman Fields of textile industry consulting firm TNC Global said he was “devastated” to learn of Crisco’s sudden passing. Fields said he had just talked with him a couple of days earlier.
“Keith was a good, caring man,” Fields said. “He was a great leader of our industry whose contributions are immeasurable. He will be missed.”
Asheboro Elastics founder Crisco dies after falling
In a statement, Aiken said he was “stunned and deeply saddened.”
“Keith came from humble beginnings,” Aiken said. “No matter how high he rose – to Harvard, to the White House and to the governor’s cabinet – he never forgot where he came from. He was a gentleman, a good and honorable man and an extraordinary public servant. I was honored to know him.”
Crisco was raised on a farm and later attended Pfeiffer College before earning a master’s of business administration degree from Harvard University.
After serving as a White House Fellow, Crisco returned to North Carolina to become president of Stedman Elastics in 1978. In 1986, he and partners formed Asheboro Elastics, which employs almost 200 people in Asheboro.
He served as North Carolina’s secretary of Commerce under Gov. Bev Perdue from 2008-2012.
The company’s narrow fabrics support diversified markets ranging from apparel, home furnishings and medical, to automotive, industrial, recreational, military and public safety.
In 2012, AEC acquired Telas Elasticas S.A.R.L. (TESA), based in Quimistán Honduras. With this manufacturing location AEC was able to expand its product line and development capabilities, according to the company’s website.
Crisco is survived by his wife, Jane, three children and six grandchildren.