At the June 2016 meeting of the Southern Textile Association, two National Spinning associates were recognized for their outstanding service to the United States textile industry.  National Spinning extends heartiest congratulations to Jim Chesnutt and Mitch Hensley, with all wishes for continued success.

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Chairman and CEO James W. (Jim) Chesnutt received the Chapman Award, created to recognize individuals for exemplary service to the U.S. textile industry.  The award is named in honor of James A. Chapman, Sr., James A. Chapman, Jr., and Joseph Chapman of Inman Mills.

Mr. Chesnutt is a graduate of East Carolina University and began his career with Bank of America in Charlotte, NC. From 1973 to 1997 he worked for Harriet and Henderson Yarns, Inc., rising to the rank of president.  In September of 1997, Mr. Chesnutt joined National Spinning, rising to the title of CEO and Chairman.

Chesnutt is a past chairman of the National Cotton Council. He served as past president of the National Council of Textile Organizations, the American Yarn Spinners Association, and the North Carolina Manufacturers Association. Chesnutt served as past board member of the New York Cotton Exchange and the Washington/Beaufort County Chamber of Commerce.

In addition, Mr. Chesnutt currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Medical and Health Sciences Foundation of East Carolina University, the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the East Carolina University College of Business Advisory Council, and the Vidant Medical Center.  He is chairman of the Beaufort County Committee of 100 and serves on the Board of Trustees of Beaufort County Community College.

Jim and wife Judy reside in Washington, NC.  They have two sons and four grandchildren.

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Also honored by STA was Mitchell F. (Mitch) Hensley, business manager of technical yarns for National Spinning. Hensley is the recipient of the David Clark Award, named for the founder of STA.  This prestigious award honors past presidents of the Southern Textile Association who continue to contribute distinguished leadership and service to the association and the U.S. textile industry for ten or more years following their service as STA president.  Recipients are selected by a vote of the STA Board of Governors.

Mr. Hensley graduated from Appalachian State University in 1996 and began his textile career at Ramtex, Inc. He rose to the rank of manufacturing manager and, later, sales manager.  In 2007, he joined Patrick Yarns, where he led as director of manufacturing. Mr. Hensley joined National Spinning in 2014.

Mitch’s professsional and civic activities include being a past manufacturer’s representative in the National Cotton Council,  a current manufacturing advisory council member of Cleveland Community College, and a member of Central United Methodist Church in Shelby, NC.

Mitch and his wife Suzanne live in Shelby, NC with their three daughters.