Posted June 24, 2015
By Devin Steele
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. – During its recent Outlook Conference here, the United States Industrial Fabrics Institute (USIFI) presented its inaugural Advocacy Award to Jean Lineberger, then-general manager of Cramerton, N.C.-based Brawer Technical Yarns, a division of Brawer Bros. Inc.
Lineberger could not attend the event due to her battle with pancreatic cancer, which she succumbed to eight days after the presentation. Receiving the award on her behalf were Harry Poole and Skip Smith of Brawer Technical Yarns.
“This is Jean’s favorite conference all year,” Smith said in accepting the award, a Waterford crystal of the U.S. Capitol. “She loves this event. You know she would be here if she was feeling a little bit better.”
Lineberger co-chaired the Outlook Conference with Patti Bates of Glen Raven Custom Fabrics.
Added Poole: “To all of Jean’s colleagues, customers and friends here, I think she would be totally surprised by this great recognition. From Jean, thank you very much.”
Lineberger honored with USIFI Advocacy Award
In announcing the award, Bret Kelley, USIFI chair and vice president of Commercial Operations at Trivantage, said the award was created to recognize individuals who go above and beyond to advocate on behalf of the USIFI.
Skip Smith of Brawer Technical Yarns speaks in accepting Jean Lineberger's USIFI Advocacy Award. (L-R) Ron Houle, USIFI immediate past chair; Harry Poole of Brawer; and Bret Kelley of Trivantage and USIFI chair.
“Jean Lineberger is a dedicated member of USIFI and a tenacious advocate for our industry,” he said.
Instrumental in the 1986 development of USIFI, Lineberger served as the organization’s vice chair. She was longtime chair of USIFI’s Outlook Committee, and also served the industry through her role with the Industry Trade Advisory Committee (ITAC).
Lineberger served on the IFAI Board of Directors from 1989-1995. Her passionate support and hard work brought recognition from IFAI with Honored Lifetime Membership in 2005 and IFAI’s Volunteer of the Year award in 2012.
“Starting with Andrew Brawer and then continuing on with Skip and Harry, Jean has always had the full support of the entire Brawer organization in the work that she’s done for us,” said Ron Houle, USIFI immediate past chair and vice president for Washington Operations for HDT Expedentionary Systems Inc., in presenting the award, which elicited a standing ovation.
Later that evening during his keynote address, Allen Gant Jr., chairman and CEO of Glen Raven, Inc., called for another standing ovation for Lineberger, who he called “a great friend who has given unselfishly to this industry.”
Lineberger
The Outlook Conference is co-developed by the USIFI and the Narrow Fabrics Institute (NFI), divisions of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI).