Repeatedly, he praises the Wilson College of Textiles and his lifelong mentors, Distinguished Professor Jon Rust and Professor and Department Head Jeff Joines<\/a>, for putting him on this unique path to success. It all started with a happenstance run-in with Professor Joines at a local high school fair. After a lengthy discussion and countless questions, the charismatic professor convinced him to study textile engineering.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDr. Joines gets all the credit for introducing me to NC State and recruiting me to the college,\u201d Person says, chuckling. \u201cDr. Rust and Dr. Joines have both been so impactful in my life. I tell as many people as possible that I wouldn\u2019t be where I am now if it weren\u2019t for these two men and their belief in me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, Person serves as the vice president of supply chain at Hanesbrands, Inc., where he has made significant contributions to the multinational apparel company. He\u2019s been tasked with leading global initiatives in support of the company\u2019s plan to grow its popular brand Champion by $1 billion over the next four years. This detailed plan includes developing new production capabilities with automation, implementing new technologies across the entire company, and redefining the supply chain organizational structure to be inclusive of the new skills required for the company\u2019s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo day looks the same for me,\u201d Person explains. \u201cI have a global team, so we focus on the organization’s challenges. I always have a plan when I come in each day, but there is usually some adjustment. I like that, and I enjoy being able to bring people together to solve a large problem that we wouldn\u2019t be able to tackle as individuals.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n In recognition of his professional achievements, service to the textile industry, community involvement and alignment with the college\u2019s core values<\/a>, Person was named the esteemed recipient of a Wilson College of Textiles 2023 Distinguished Young Alumni Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Established in 2021 by the Dean\u2019s Young Alumni Leadership Council (DYALC)<\/a>, the Distinguished Young Alumni Awards program<\/a> recognizes graduates under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions to the textile industry and their communities. The DYALC works to promote the Wilson College of Textiles and the college\u2019s fundraising arm, the North Carolina Textile Foundation<\/a>, and fosters engagement among young alumni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn the years I\u2019ve known Devon, I\u2019ve seen him experience some trying times, and he has always demonstrated grace, courage, humility, kindness and fairness,\u201d Professor Rust says. \u201cDevon has truly distinguished himself in his personal and professional life, and I can\u2019t think of anyone more deserving of our college\u2019s Distinguished Young Alumni Award.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s surprising for many to hear that Person struggled during his initial year on campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n His experience growing up as a self-starter in Carthage, North Carolina, which is home to less than 3,000 residents, caused Person to push himself entirely too hard. Not only was he an ambitious full-time college student, but he also worked more than 50 hours a week at a local fast food restaurant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Person used most of his earnings to return home to support his family as often as possible. This was especially important because his mother\u2019s home burned down during his first year at NC State. He even gave his car to his mother, which she used to help family members get to and from work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was struggling to keep up with the coursework, my classes and my personal life,\u201d Person shares. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After finally opening up to Rust and Joines about the difficult time he was having, Person was connected with a paid undergraduate research position. This enabled him to quit his full-time job and focus solely on his classwork and conducting meaningful research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn top of that, Dr. Rust mentored me personally,\u201d Person explains. \u201cI had an hour with him every other week for my entire four years on campus, and he never missed a meeting. I love that man. If it weren\u2019t for Dr. Rust, I wouldn\u2019t have graduated from college or been on this career track. We still keep in contact to this day.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Wilson College of Textiles offered him intimate class sizes, engaging faculty members and encouragement from the entire college community. Witnessing others’ unwavering belief in his abilities motivated Person to not only meet their expectations but to exceed them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He wasn\u2019t just the first person in his family to graduate from college; Person walked across the commencement stage twice in 2010 to earn two bachelor\u2019s degrees<\/a>: one in textile engineering and the other in industrial and systems engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When asked what piece of advice he\u2019d offer the next generation of textile leaders, Person didn\u2019t hesitate before dropping this gem. An important goal that Person anticipates being realized is an increase in the representation of Black leaders and a sense of belonging within the textile industry and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOne of the things I struggled with is that not a lot of people I grew up with had the same opportunities I did,\u201d Person explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This led to an ingrained passion for diversity, inclusivity and equity which, in turn, inspired him to lead employee resource groups for African American employees at every company he\u2019s served: General Electric, Eaton Corporation, SPX Flow and Hanesbrands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is a huge passion of mine because originally, there was a lot of guilt there,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s a difficult thing to wrap your head around, so I had to switch my mindset to ways I can help. My passion is using my platform to create opportunities for others to give them hope, similar to what Dr. Rust did for me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, Person has developed corporate community service initiatives with the African American Leadership Society, the YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, the Boys and Girls Club, and 15 historically Black colleges and universities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This year\u2019s Wilson College of Textiles Distinguished Young Alumni Award wasn\u2019t Person\u2019s first honor as an NC State alumnus. He was named the recipient of the 2021 Industrial and Systems Engineering Young Alumni Award<\/a> by the College of Engineering. This honor recognized the ways he has continuously distinguished himself through professional practice and service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n His hard work, determination and perseverance are attributes that those who know Person, including his treasured mentor Professor Rust, have seen him exhibit time and again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI respect him as much as anyone I\u2019ve known,\u201d Professor Rust says, smiling. \u201cHe has been a faithful and loving son, husband and father, and I could not love him more if he were my son. He\u2019s my hero.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false,"raw":"\n\n\n\n\n By Kamilah Heslop<\/p>\n\n\n\n As a natural-born leader, Devon Person shines both inside and outside the boardroom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Since graduating with his bachelor\u2019s degree in textile engineering<\/a> from the Wilson College of Textiles in 2010, Person has been promoted nine times within seven industries at three separate Fortune 500 companies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Repeatedly, he praises the Wilson College of Textiles and his lifelong mentors, Distinguished Professor Jon Rust and Professor and Department Head Jeff Joines<\/a>, for putting him on this unique path to success. It all started with a happenstance run-in with Professor Joines at a local high school fair. After a lengthy discussion and countless questions, the charismatic professor convinced him to study textile engineering.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDr. Joines gets all the credit for introducing me to NC State and recruiting me to the college,\u201d Person says, chuckling. \u201cDr. Rust and Dr. Joines have both been so impactful in my life. I tell as many people as possible that I wouldn\u2019t be where I am now if it weren\u2019t for these two men and their belief in me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Today, Person serves as the vice president of supply chain at Hanesbrands, Inc., where he has made significant contributions to the multinational apparel company. He\u2019s been tasked with leading global initiatives in support of the company\u2019s plan to grow its popular brand Champion by $1 billion over the next four years. This detailed plan includes developing new production capabilities with automation, implementing new technologies across the entire company, and redefining the supply chain organizational structure to be inclusive of the new skills required for the company\u2019s future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNo day looks the same for me,\u201d Person explains. \u201cI have a global team, so we focus on the organization's challenges. I always have a plan when I come in each day, but there is usually some adjustment. I like that, and I enjoy being able to bring people together to solve a large problem that we wouldn\u2019t be able to tackle as individuals.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n In recognition of his professional achievements, service to the textile industry, community involvement and alignment with the college\u2019s core values<\/a>, Person was named the esteemed recipient of a Wilson College of Textiles 2023 Distinguished Young Alumni Award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Established in 2021 by the Dean\u2019s Young Alumni Leadership Council (DYALC)<\/a>, the Distinguished Young Alumni Awards program<\/a> recognizes graduates under the age of 40 who have made significant contributions to the textile industry and their communities. The DYALC works to promote the Wilson College of Textiles and the college\u2019s fundraising arm, the North Carolina Textile Foundation<\/a>, and fosters engagement among young alumni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIn the years I\u2019ve known Devon, I\u2019ve seen him experience some trying times, and he has always demonstrated grace, courage, humility, kindness and fairness,\u201d Professor Rust says. \u201cDevon has truly distinguished himself in his personal and professional life, and I can\u2019t think of anyone more deserving of our college\u2019s Distinguished Young Alumni Award.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s surprising for many to hear that Person struggled during his initial year on campus. <\/p>\n\n\n\n His experience growing up as a self-starter in Carthage, North Carolina, which is home to less than 3,000 residents, caused Person to push himself entirely too hard. Not only was he an ambitious full-time college student, but he also worked more than 50 hours a week at a local fast food restaurant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Person used most of his earnings to return home to support his family as often as possible. This was especially important because his mother\u2019s home burned down during his first year at NC State. He even gave his car to his mother, which she used to help family members get to and from work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was struggling to keep up with the coursework, my classes and my personal life,\u201d Person shares. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After finally opening up to Rust and Joines about the difficult time he was having, Person was connected with a paid undergraduate research position. This enabled him to quit his full-time job and focus solely on his classwork and conducting meaningful research. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOn top of that, Dr. Rust mentored me personally,\u201d Person explains. \u201cI had an hour with him every other week for my entire four years on campus, and he never missed a meeting. I love that man. If it weren\u2019t for Dr. Rust, I wouldn\u2019t have graduated from college or been on this career track. We still keep in contact to this day.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Wilson College of Textiles offered him intimate class sizes, engaging faculty members and encouragement from the entire college community. Witnessing others' unwavering belief in his abilities motivated Person to not only meet their expectations but to exceed them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n He wasn\u2019t just the first person in his family to graduate from college; Person walked across the commencement stage twice in 2010 to earn two bachelor\u2019s degrees<\/a>: one in textile engineering and the other in industrial and systems engineering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When asked what piece of advice he\u2019d offer the next generation of textile leaders, Person didn\u2019t hesitate before dropping this gem. An important goal that Person anticipates being realized is an increase in the representation of Black leaders and a sense of belonging within the textile industry and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOne of the things I struggled with is that not a lot of people I grew up with had the same opportunities I did,\u201d Person explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This led to an ingrained passion for diversity, inclusivity and equity which, in turn, inspired him to lead employee resource groups for African American employees at every company he\u2019s served: General Electric, Eaton Corporation, SPX Flow and Hanesbrands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThis is a huge passion of mine because originally, there was a lot of guilt there,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s a difficult thing to wrap your head around, so I had to switch my mindset to ways I can help. My passion is using my platform to create opportunities for others to give them hope, similar to what Dr. Rust did for me.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, Person has developed corporate community service initiatives with the African American Leadership Society, the YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, the Boys and Girls Club, and 15 historically Black colleges and universities. <\/p>\n\n\n\nFinding his footing in textiles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI always say \u2018play bigger than your role\u2019,\u201d he shares. \u201cDon\u2019t just stick to your job description. If you walk into a room and there is a discussion happening, add value. Be willing to speak up and be courageous enough to commit to your idea because you never know who is listening and where that opportunity can lead you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\nInclusivity guides his volunteerism<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/tex-cloud-cdn.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/textiles-ncsu\/20231108100352\/hall-of-fame-breakfast-2021-020-1024x576.jpeg\")
Finding his footing in textiles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI always say \u2018play bigger than your role\u2019,\u201d he shares. \u201cDon\u2019t just stick to your job description. If you walk into a room and there is a discussion happening, add value. Be willing to speak up and be courageous enough to commit to your idea because you never know who is listening and where that opportunity can lead you.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\nInclusivity guides his volunteerism<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n