Valdese Names Blake Millinor President
Assumes CEO Role When Shelton Retires
March 2, 2021
Blake Millinor
VALDESE, NC—Blake Millinor is the new President of Valdese Weavers as of March 1.
Valdese is one of the largest mills in the world today according to F&FI.
Michael Shelton will continue to serve as CEO of the company but Millinor is expected to assume CEO responsibilities when Shelton steps down later this year from this post after 25 years of service.
“Blake and I have worked together at Valdese Weavers for the past two decades,” Shelton says. “He is uniquely qualified to lead Valdese Weavers into our next chapter(s) and carry forward our longstanding track record of achievement and success competing in the global textile industry. He is a highly respected industry veteran and will be very effective in leading all aspects of our business. His proven leadership coupled with his applied experience in sales and marketing, brand development, global supply chain management, and operations make Blake the perfect person to lead Valdese Weavers now and into the future.”
Millinor started his career with Valdese Weavers in 2001 and has served as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of the company since 2014. Millinor was a key contributor in the planning and execution of multiple business acquisitions and positioning Valdese Weavers as a leader in the performance fabric market.
“I am proud to have been a part of the history of growth we have experienced.” Millinor says. “and am very excited for what the future holds. As an ESOP company, my focus is continuing to deliver value to our customers and the employee-owners of Valdese Weavers.”
Shelton adds: “It has been an honor and a privilege for me to lead Valdese Weavers as our President and CEO. We have grown five-fold since I joined the company in 1989. Further, we have doubled our size during the period of globalization that decimated our segment of the domestic textile industry. Most of the great decorative fabric mills in the United States, and many around the world, that we competed with since the 1990s have since disappeared. Yet, we have not only survived but have found a way to indeed thrive. This has only been possible because of our customers, who have seen the value in our products and services consistently over the years as we continually re-invented our company, striving to better meet their needs. And equally important, the dedication, commitment, and loyalty of our ESOP associates at Valdese Weavers have created our success, inspired by the vision of our talented leadership team. For this, I am extremely grateful and incredibly proud!”
Valdese Weavers, a 100% employee-owned ESOP company, is the major designer and manufacturer of decorative textiles in the United States for use in residential and contract markets. The company operates four facilities in Burke County, N.C., and trades under the brand names Valdese Weavers, InsideOut Performance Fabrics, Sustain Performance Fabrics, Circa 1801, Home Fabrics by Wesley Mancini, Valdese International Products (VIP), Dicey Fabrics, and Valdese Weavers Contract. To learn more, visit www.valdeseweavers.com or connect through Facebook or Instagram @ValdeseWeavers.
Valdese is one of the largest mills in the world today according to F&FI.
Michael Shelton will continue to serve as CEO of the company but Millinor is expected to assume CEO responsibilities when Shelton steps down later this year from this post after 25 years of service.
“Blake and I have worked together at Valdese Weavers for the past two decades,” Shelton says. “He is uniquely qualified to lead Valdese Weavers into our next chapter(s) and carry forward our longstanding track record of achievement and success competing in the global textile industry. He is a highly respected industry veteran and will be very effective in leading all aspects of our business. His proven leadership coupled with his applied experience in sales and marketing, brand development, global supply chain management, and operations make Blake the perfect person to lead Valdese Weavers now and into the future.”
Millinor started his career with Valdese Weavers in 2001 and has served as Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of the company since 2014. Millinor was a key contributor in the planning and execution of multiple business acquisitions and positioning Valdese Weavers as a leader in the performance fabric market.
“I am proud to have been a part of the history of growth we have experienced.” Millinor says. “and am very excited for what the future holds. As an ESOP company, my focus is continuing to deliver value to our customers and the employee-owners of Valdese Weavers.”
Shelton adds: “It has been an honor and a privilege for me to lead Valdese Weavers as our President and CEO. We have grown five-fold since I joined the company in 1989. Further, we have doubled our size during the period of globalization that decimated our segment of the domestic textile industry. Most of the great decorative fabric mills in the United States, and many around the world, that we competed with since the 1990s have since disappeared. Yet, we have not only survived but have found a way to indeed thrive. This has only been possible because of our customers, who have seen the value in our products and services consistently over the years as we continually re-invented our company, striving to better meet their needs. And equally important, the dedication, commitment, and loyalty of our ESOP associates at Valdese Weavers have created our success, inspired by the vision of our talented leadership team. For this, I am extremely grateful and incredibly proud!”
Valdese Weavers, a 100% employee-owned ESOP company, is the major designer and manufacturer of decorative textiles in the United States for use in residential and contract markets. The company operates four facilities in Burke County, N.C., and trades under the brand names Valdese Weavers, InsideOut Performance Fabrics, Sustain Performance Fabrics, Circa 1801, Home Fabrics by Wesley Mancini, Valdese International Products (VIP), Dicey Fabrics, and Valdese Weavers Contract. To learn more, visit www.valdeseweavers.com or connect through Facebook or Instagram @ValdeseWeavers.
