Posted June 15, 2014

 

Editor’s note: Following is a Q&A with Southern Textile Association (STA) President Ken Rada, region director of Large Business for Duke Energy, Greenville, S.C. The STA is convening its 106th Annual Meeting this week at the Marriott at Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach, S.C. in conjunction with the Fiber Buyers Annual Meeting.

 

eTC: Last summer, when taking the STA’s top elected leadership reigns, you told members, “I never dreamed – and probably you didn’t either – that someone from your local energy company would become president of the Southern Textile Association. Wow – what an honor.” Now, you’ve served the group for nearly a year as the first president not from the textile industry proper. Please tell us how it’s been serving in this role during another fantastic year for STA.

 

Rada: You use the word “fantastic” when asking your question and I cannot think of a more fitting description of the year. 2014 has been a fantastic year for membership growth, excellent meetings with agendas that created real value for our members and frequent networking opportunities that help fuel solutions to problems.  

 

eTC: Being from the industry’s energy provider, what perspective have you brought that may have helped leadership see things in another way?

 

Rada: Those in STA leadership roles have been incredibly supportive of my role as president. I am sure I have learned more from them than they have from me. I have tried to apply the training and culture that Duke Energy has provided me on speaking skills, project management, financial acumen, relationship building and safety to influence and grow the STA.

 

eTC: What were your goals for STA when you became president and how did you go about seeing them through?

 

Rada: Frankly, my goals were to continue to build on the current goals of the STA, and seek ideas of other members for the future. A goal of reaching 500 members would be a challenge, but doable, and we continue to make progress. The goal of continuing excellent programs and securing effective speakers is critically important. And continuing to make membership and participation affordable is important. One future goal I hope we can work on is attracting more diversity to the industry and STA membership and leadership.

 

eTC: You must be proud of the steady growth STA has seen during the past year. You now have more than 450 members and are creeping toward the 500-member milestone, as you mentioned. How are you, the executive team, board and members attracting new sign-ups?

 

Rada: Growth does not happen by accident. Growth occurs when you have a product that others feel will help them be successful. STA provides that product through meeting agendas that members find helpful to sustaining and growing their business. STA provides a networking opportunity to learn from peers, suppliers and customers. And the STA leadership and members do an amazing job of sharing the value of STA membership to prospective members. And by the way our annual membership fee is a real bargain for the value one receives.

 

eTC: What does a textile group nearly 500 strong say for the shape of the industry and the direction it’s heading?

 

Rada: When I look at our STA members I see successful business men and women that have found a way to compete and succeed in an industry many felt would become extinct in this country. The textile industry is not without continuing challenges, and the STA members not only survive, but thrive on these challenges.

 

eTC: Please summarize STA’s accomplishments for 2013-14.

 

Rada: Growing membership to approximately 450 members has been outstanding. We have had successful seminars that have been will attended. Our Annual Meeting continues to be well attended and informative. Leadership remains strong and very engaged in improving the STA product. We are on sound financial footing and this is certainly sustainable. And the STA has operated injury and accident free in our activities.

 

eTC: What do you see as the best ways STA is helping members face continually changing times?

 

Rada: We need to continue providing the absolute best programs and meetings that bring business value to our membership. STA leadership needs to seek input and feedback from the membership to help ensure member needs are being met. While providing these quality learning opportunities we need to continue the effective networking times and remember to have some fun while we do all this.

 

eTC: How has STA helped you grow professionally?

 

Rada: When we make reference to the STA, what we are really addressing are the members. The people who are members are really the STA. Yes the STA has a proud history, however it is the current membership who not only sustains this proud history but continues the success. And these members have helped me grow professionally by their counsel, support, expertise and friendship.

 

eTC: During every STA meeting you presided over this past year, you’ve always talked safety (i.e. informing attendees where the emergency exits are, asking who knows CPR, etc.). That’s certainly important and probably has not been mentioned much during STA meetings over the years. Please tell us why keeping safety top of mind is important to you?

 

Rada: I am proud to work for Duke Energy and at Duke Energy working safely is embedded in our culture. So when I got the opportunity to participate in the leadership of STA it became very natural for safety to permeate into my STA duties. All members of the STA make safety a priority in their business, and hopefully my actions have only enhanced their safety priority.

 

eTC: Please describe the working relationship you have with your officers, board and the STA staff.

 

Rada: Great question and thanks for asking. The support I have received from the officers, board and the STA staff has been amazing. This support basically guaranteed my leadership would be successful. Past officers continue to step up and be involved in the success of the STA. And Lillian Link, the STA administrative manager, provides outstanding support to the officers and board.