Awards

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 Organizations2018
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. WARLICKParkdale Mills, Inc.
2010
WYLIE L. HAMRICK
Hamrick Mills
2007
JIM H. CONNER
American Yarn Spinners Association
2001
EDWARD P. SCHRUMCarolina 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. HAMRICKHamrick Mills
1999-00
JAMES PAYNE
Carlisle Finishing
1998-99
H. DOYLE KIDD
Greenwood Mills Inc.
1997-98
MAX M. HUNTLEYParkdale 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. GAITHERGreenwood 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 Yarns1978-79
R. JAMES RITTER *
Reeves Brothers Inc.1975-76
EDWARD P. SCHRUM *
Carolina Mills Inc.1974-75
CARL R. ROGERS *
Clinton Mills1973-74
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:

Become a Member 

Membership in STA offers the opportunity to network with peers in all sectors of the textile industry through personal contact and association.

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: