Pence brings to Coville a strong textile background along with extensive experience in the protective products market, most specifically with fabric and apparel for military and commercial applications. He spent the past four years at DRIFIRE, where he held numerous positions in business development, sales and strategy. Prior to joining DRIFIRE, he was military market manager at Tencate.

Pence is a graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. degree in business administration pre-law. He is also a decorated U.S. Army Ranger with Bronze Star with Valor Device, Purple Heart, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Reserve Overseas Training Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge and Pathfinder Badge. He participated in four combat theater deployments (Afghanistan and Iraq) while on active duty with the 3^rd Battalion, 75^th Ranger Regiment. He continues to serve our country as a Ranger with C Company, 3/108^th Airborne Infantry Army National Guard with non-combat operations in the Republic of Georgia, Uganda and Cameroon.

He will assume the position currently held by Dave Lambert, who will retire from full time employment, effective March 31, 2015. Lambert will continue serving Coville on a part-time, special-projects basis. Lambert’s textile career has spanned 43 years with Wellman, Optimer Brands and Coville, encompassing a broad range of experience from dyeing and finishing to polyester staple technical service and support to brand management and domestic and international sales and marketing.