{"id":28299,"date":"2022-02-17T13:51:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-17T18:51:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/?p=24991"},"modified":"2023-10-19T15:50:33","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T19:50:33","slug":"nc-textile-foundation-appoints-brendan-sullivan-as-the-next-board-president","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/textiles.ncsu.edu\/news\/2022\/02\/nc-textile-foundation-appoints-brendan-sullivan-as-the-next-board-president\/","title":{"rendered":"NC Textile Foundation Appoints Brendan Sullivan as the Next Board President"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n

With more than 25 years of leadership experience in the textile and apparel industry, Brendan Sullivan was the clear choice for the North Carolina Textile Foundation\u2019s next board president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the fundraising arm of the Wilson College of Textiles at NC State, the North Carolina Textile Foundation (NCTF)<\/a> makes the college\u2019s innovative and industry-leading work possible. Since its inception in 1942, the NCTF has raised nearly $70 million in funding to provide students with life-changing scholarships, recruit and retain world-class faculty, conduct groundbreaking research and maintain state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NCTF board of directors<\/a> is composed of 16 distinguished textile leaders. They work closely with the dean of the college to solicit individual, corporate and foundation donations that will enhance the Wilson College\u2019s resources and educational mission. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m very honored to serve the North Carolina Textile Foundation in this new capacity,\u201d Sullivan says. \u201cI look forward to working alongside the dean, the foundation\u2019s team and other industry leaders in support of this dynamic college while also following in the footsteps of former board presidents, such as Ellen Rohde, Charles Heilig and, most recently, Rick Elmore.\u201d
– Brendan Sullivan<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

In addition to his seven years of service on the NCTF board of directors, where he held roles as treasurer and chair of the finance committee, Sullivan will bring his experience as an executive within the VF Corporation<\/a> \u2014 a global leader in branded lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories \u2014 to his new appointment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe foundation\u2019s board of directors plays a significant role in ensuring that our college can extend extraordinary opportunities for growth and development to our students, faculty, researchers and staff,\u201d David Hinks, dean of the Wilson College of Textiles, says. \u201cAs an esteemed thought leader and partner of our college, Brendan will bring his expertise in the textile field and his extensive portfolio of industry partners to this position.\u201d
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sullivan first joined the VF Corporation in 2007 as vice president of retail services after leading retail marketing and operations for Express, Limited Brands and the Borders Group. In 2014, his role at VF expanded to vice president of direct-to-consumer operations. He was promoted three years later to the president of VF Sportwear, where he led the performance improvement and management of the NAUTICA brand. In 2020, Sullivan retired after 13 years with the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was at VF where Sullivan was first introduced to the Wilson College of Textiles and the NCTF through his colleague, friend and fellow foundation board member, Ellen Rohde<\/a>. While neither graduated from the Wilson College of Textiles, both Rohde and Sullivan credit the college for expanding their understanding of the many ways in which the textile industry impacts our society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If I could describe the Wilson College of Textiles in one word, it would be \u2018innovative.\u2019 It has an eye on the past while also keeping a keen focus on the future. I\u2019m impressed by the college\u2019s continuous dedication to challenging students and faculty to think about what\u2019s next and<\/em> how they can be a significant part of that innovation.”
– Brendan Sullivan<\/p><\/div><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDean Hinks has such a great vision, and he\u2019s passionate about positioning the college to adapt and be flexible as it remains at the forefront of discovery within our industry.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Brendan
Brendan Sullivan smiles with Mr. Wuf before watching the Wolfpack football team take on Syracuse.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In his new role, Sullivan has developed three main goals for the foundation board as they work alongside the NCTF and Dean Hinks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n