Posted June 14, 2017

 

(Editor’s note: Following is a Q&A with Southern Textile Association (STA) incoming President Carson Copeland, COO, Valdese Weavers, Valdese, N.C. He will be elected president this weekend during the STA’s 109th Annual Meeting at Hilton Head Island, S.C. His answers come in response to questions posed to him by eTC Publisher Devin Steele.)

 

eTC: Carson, you’ve answered your call to lead the STA and it’s almost here. What are your thoughts as you prepare to become president of this esteemed organization?

 

Copeland: I am honored to be included in a long list of industry leaders.

 

eTC: How long have you been an STA member and why accept the offer to move into the leadership ranks?

 

Copeland: I’ve been a member of 12 years The STA is about involvement and we must all share in this responsibility.

 

eTC: Tell us about your goals and aspirations for the association and how do you hope to position the organization to meet them?

 

Copeland: I feel it is important to continue the STA as an important resource for existing members, but also to recruit newer, younger members who will be the backbone of our future industry.

 

eTC: Your company, Valdese Weavers – now 101 years old – is nearly as old as the STA (109 years old). So it seems appropriate that you, as a leader of a venerable company, would step up to lead an organization that has played an important role in the industry’s longevity and “survivability.” Please talk about the strengths and values the STA brings to members in an always-competitive environment and the “edge” it gives members as they seek new ways to innovate, compete and stay “in the know?”

 

Copeland: We are challenged in our business to try new ideas and explore new opportunities. The benefit I’ve been able to derive is the STA is an important resource to ask questions and learn from members on how textiles can be used and processed. I also feel the organization allows you to meet people who can directly or indirectly shape your organization with their ideas and labor.

 

eTC: When someone asks, “what is STA?” what is your answer?

 

Copeland: In a word, “collaboration.” You meet people that allow you to grow as an individual and a company.

 

eTC; Please speak to the leadership of Palmetto Finishing’s Mike Kingsmore, STA’s current president, having worked closely with him the last couple of years.

 

Copeland: Mike represents a long history of leadership in the textile industry. He has a keen understanding of what our industry needs and how to keep an organization in focus. I am glad to have Mike as a resource moving forward. 

 

eTC: What kind of leadership style will you bring to the STA?

 

Copeland: I hope that people will have fun with their involvement with STA. Companies are willing to invest in people’s time to allow them to attend meetings and events. I want them to have value in return. I hope that I can facilitate members’ growth in the organization.

 

RELATED

STA'S 'KING' FOR A YEAR: Mike Kingsmore extols virtues of 'family-like' organization.