The George Abbott Membership Award
The George Abbott Membership Award honors the STA member whom recruited the most members into the STA during the year. This award is named in honor of George Abbott who over the years has fondly been referred to as "Mr. STA" because his enthusiasm, loyal service and endless efforts in membership recruitment for many years.
The following members of the Association have been honored with the George Abbott Membership Award:
Honoree | Affiliation | Year |
RUSSELL MIMS | Buhler Quality Yarns | 2022 |
RICHARD "STEVE" ADAMS, SR. | ZKR Express | 2019 |
JAMES W. PAYNE | ITG - Carlisle Finishing, LLC (Retired | 2018 |
THOMAS M. ARIAIL | Beal Mfg. Co. (Retired) | 2016 |
H. DOYLE KIDD | Greenwood Mills (Retired) | 2014 |
PROMOTING EXCELLENCE
In Textile Manufacturing
Honoree | Affiliation | Year of Award |
LILLIAN LINK | Southern Textile Association | 2022 |
AUGUSTINE TANTILLO | National Council of Textile Organizations | 2018 |
JAMES W. CHESNUTT | National Spinning Co., Inc. | 2016 |
ROBERT H. CHAPMAN, III | Inman Mills | 2014 |
ALLEN E. GANT, JR | Glen Raven, Inc. | 2013 |
ANDERSON D. WARLICK | Parkdale Mills, Inc. | 2010 |
WYLIE L. HAMRICK | Hamrick Mills | 2007 |
JIM H. CONNER | American Yarn Spinners Association | 2001 |
EDWARD P. SCHRUM | Carolina Mills, Inc. | 1999 |
JOHN G. BEASLEY | South Carolina Textile Manufacturers Association | 1997 |
W. DUKE KIMBRELL | Parkdale Mills Inc. | 1995 |
C. HUNTER GALLMAN | M. Lowenstein Corporation | 1985 |
JAMES A. CHAPMAN, JR | Inman Mills | 1984 |
Honoree | Affiliation | Year of Award |
DEVIN STEELE | eTextileCommunications.com | 2022 |
RICK CARPENTER | Conitex Sonoco | 2020 |
GEORGE A. ABBOTT, JR. | Inman Mills, (Retired) | 2019 |
The Chapman Award
The Chapman Award was established by the Southern Textile Association in 1984 in honor of three members of the Chapman Family of Inman Mills and Inman, SC, who served as Presidents of STA -James A. Chapman, Sr. in 1923, James A. Chapman, Jr. in 1955 and Joseph W. Chapman in 1972.
The award was established to recognize individuals for exemplary and outstanding service and leadership to the textile industry. The recipient of the award is selected by the Awards committee and presented to the board of governors for vote. Once approved by the board the award is presented during the annual meeting.
The first award was presented posthumously to James A. Chapman, Jr. in 1984 eight months after his untimely death in November 1983, following a brief illness.
The following distinguished leaders have been honored with the Chapman Award:
Honoree | Affiliation | Year of Sevice |
BRAD BURNETT | Inman Mills | 2010-2011 |
JAY SELF | Greenwood Mills, Inc. | 2009-10 |
JIM BOOTERBAUGH | National Spinning Co., Inc. | 2008-09 |
LISA ARIAIL OEHMIG | Glen Raven, Inc. | 2007-08 |
GEORGE ABBOTT* | Inman Mills | 2006-07 |
MITCHELL HENSLEY | National Spinning Co., Inc. | 2005-06 |
RUSSELL W. MIMS, JR. | Buhler Quality Yarns Corp. | 2004-05 |
LARRY W. OATES | Carolon Company | 2002-03 |
DANIEL E. NATION | Parkdale Mills, Inc | 2000-01 |
LYMAN W. HAMRICK | Hamrick Mills | 1999-00 |
JAMES PAYNE | Carlisle Finishing | 1998-99 |
H. DOYLE KIDD | Greenwood Mills Inc. | 1997-98 |
MAX M. HUNTLEY | Parkdale Mills Inc | 1994-95 |
JOE A. MILLER | Cone Mills Corporation | 1993-94 |
W. ROBERT BROWNLEE | Greenwood Mills | 1992-93 |
STEVE DOBBINS | Carolina Mills Inc. | 1991-92 |
JAMES T. POTTER | Shelby Yarn Company | 1990-91 |
WILLIAM E. GAITHER | Greenwood Mills | 1989-90 |
THOMAS M. ARIAIL* | Beal Mfg. Inc. | 1987-88 |
W. FRED ROBERTSON | Fieldcrest Cannon Inc | 1986-87 |
STEVEN EPPS * | Springs Industries Inc. | 1985-86 |
GEORGE BLOMQUIST* | Parkdale Mills Inc. | 1984-85 |
JACK C. SCOTT * | Greenwood Mills | 1983-84 |
JERRY G. HARBINSON | Carolina Mills Inc | 1982-83 |
TED J. MEYER | Greenwood Engineering | 1979-80 |
EDWARD M. DRISCOLL | Tultex Yarns | 1978-79 |
R. JAMES RITTER * | Reeves Brothers Inc. | 1975-76 |
EDWARD P. SCHRUM * | Carolina Mills Inc. | 1974-75 |
CARL R. ROGERS * | Clinton Mills | 1973-74 |
JOHN L. SHERRILL | Abney Mills | 1972-73 |
JOSEPH W. CHAPMAN * | Inman Mills | 1971-72 |
ALBERT R. O’STEEN, JR.* | Washington Mills Co. | 1970-71 |
GEORGE L. HODGES, JR. * | Climax Spinning Co | 1969-70 |
JAMES H. ABRAMS * | J. P. Stevens & Co. | 1968-69 |
RODGER A. HUGHES * | Reeves Brothers Inc. | 1966-67 |
HERMAN CONE, JR. | Cone Mills Corp. | 1964-65 |
DAVID H. ROBERTS * | Clinton Mills | 1962-63 |
WILLIAM M. PITTENDREIGH * | Riegel Textile Corp | 1956-57 |
JAMES A. CHAPMAN, JR. * | Inman Mills | 1955-56 |
DAVID A. PURCELL * | Fieldcrest Mills | 1952-53 |
SMITH CROW, SR. * | Erlanger Mills | 1949-50 |
ROBERT T. STUTTS * | Carolinian Mills | 1948-49 |
* - Deceased |
The David Clark Award
The David Clark Award, named for the founder of STA, honors past presidents of the association who continue to contribute Distinguished Leadership and Service to the association - and through it to the textile industry - for ten or more years following their service as president. Recipients are:
The Steve Epps Lifetime Service Award
The Steve Epps Lifetime Service Award honors STA members who have been a member of STA for 20 years or more, are retiring or have retired, served the association in many capacities of leadership and service during their years of membership. Steve Epps served as president of STA in 1985-86 and remained an active member of STA until his death in 2010. Recipients are selected by vote of the Board of Governors. The first award was presented in 2014 to H. Doyle Kidd, Greenwood Mills (retired).
The following distinguished leaders have been honored with the Steve Epps Lifetime Service Award: