Recipients of the David Clark Award are selected by STA’s Board of Governors from past presidents of the association who have continued to provide leadership and service to the organization and industry for a minimum of 10 years after their term has ended. Mims served as president of the STA in 2004-05 and as chairman 2005-06.

 

Mims grew up in Charleston, S.C. and received a degree from the University of South Carolina in 1976. He began his career in Textiles with Cone Mills Corp in 1977 as a management trainee. He learned a lot about yarns and weaving during his tenure with Cone. He moved on to two other companies as plant manager, including Parkdale Mills and R.L. Stowe Mills before settling in his present position as vice president of Operations for Buhler Quality Yarns Corporation, where he has been the last 14 years.

 

Mims resides in Bogart, Ga., with Joan, his wife of 39 years. They have two children, Amanda and Byron.

 

He said his most proud work accomplishment is working with at-risk youth through local high schools. Mims started the first program of this type in Jackson County, Ga., where at-risk youths in the local high schools work in the plant. They learn the value of a good work ethic while earning money. The plant assigns mentors and helps teach necessarily life skills the kids are not receiving at home. He has seen the program grow over the past few years and has helped a number of teens graduate high school and go on to their further education or join companies such as Buhler.