CEO at Supima Jesse Curlee to retire on December 31

18 Jul '15

2 min read

Following devotion of more than 36 years to the cause of Supima, president and CEO at Supima, Jesse Curlee will now step down and retire from December 31, 2015.

“Curlee’s stewardship of the organisation has covered a remarkable career of more than 36 years of service to Supima, its producer-members and the American Pima cotton industry,” Supima said in a press release.

Jesse began his career with Phoenix based Supima in October of 1979 as general manager and in 1981 he was named president and CEO.

American Pima cotton production averaged approximately 75,000 bales annually when Jesse joined Supima, which has now increased to over 850,000 bales, a massive 1,000 per cent increase.

He also worked to expand production into California in the late 1980’s, due to which today, over 90 per cent of the American Pima production is in California.

During the span of his career with Supima, Jesse promoted the introduction of Supima to the fashion industry with the Supima Design Competition and fashion runway show during New York Fashion Week.

Under Curlee’s leadership, Supima began a licensing programme for customers wanting to use the Supima name with the first licensees in Japan in the 1980’s.

Supima now licenses the name and trademark worldwide to spinners, knitters, weavers, manufacturers, brands and retailers with over 370 licensees in 39 countries.

Also under his leadership, the Supima name has grown to worldwide recognition as the ‘World’s Finest Cotton’,” Supima added.

“There is absolutely no doubt the American Pima cotton industry would not be what it is today without his valuable contributions and skillful leadership,” the body observed.

Supima’s chairman, Keith Deputy said, “We sincerely thank Jesse for his valuable contributions, passionate leadership and dedication to the American Pima cotton industry.”

“Jesse has been a strong leader and advocate for Supima and has made a tremendous impact in the promotion and advancement of Supima cotton,” Deputy too added.

The Supima board of directors has named Supima’s current executive vice president, Marc Lewkowitz to assume the duties of president and CEO effective January 1, 2016.

Marc has been with Supima for over 12 years working closely with Jesse in developing the Supima brand and growing the licensing programme. (AR)

Fibre2Fashion News Desk - India

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