Schedule of Events

Come enjoy the best seats (in a luxury suite) at Fluor Field, just a short walk from The Westin Poinsett, on what we hope will be a beautiful spring day in Greenville. Take in breathtaking, panoramic views of the ballpark and mix and mingle with other Outlook attendees before we kick things off Monday morning! A drink and snacks will be provided.

8:45–9:45 am
Federal Regulatory Update
Nick Goldstein, Vice President of Regulatory & Legal Issues, American Road & Transportation Builders Association

This session will give an overview of the latest developments in the federal regulatory arena impacting transportation construction. Environmental, safety and labor regulations will be discussed as will the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

10–11 am
Towards More Sustainable and Resilient Pavements
LaToya N. Johnson, P.E., Pavement Design & Performance Team Leader, Federal Highway Administration

Over the past 12 years, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has engaged and educated stakeholders on the use of sustainable pavement practices through its Sustainable Pavements Program. This session will provide an overview of pavement sustainability and resilience as well as related FHWA initiatives. The audience will also have the opportunity to explore related topics issues of interests.

11:15–11:45 am
GMA Lobby Updates
Martin T. Whitmer, Principal, Whitmer & Worrall, LLC

Martin will provide a government relations update on behalf of the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA). This will include an overview of the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the implementation of the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2022, and the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2023.

9–9:45 am
An Endangered Ecosystem
Tim Voit, Vice President, ATD-American Co.

How Domestic Textile Supply Chains remain under strain after Covid and how Government Agencies can ensure reliable product origin.

9:50–10:50 am
New Year, New Budget and New Challenges for The Industry and National Security
Ron Houle, Founder and President, Pivot Step Consultants LLC

Defense budget challenges for 2023 and 2024 will enter into the advanced textile and industry and into our national security. The tension for the allocation of limited resources across the range of demands from domestic and international stakeholders has never been greater. This session will explain the current state for budget outlays to defense, while also looking to the next few years for trends that will have near term implications for your business. You will come away from this session with a clearer understanding of these complex issues and better able to share these with your employees.

10:55–11:40 am
Defense Logistics Agency: Clothing & Textiles
Leighann Mazoki, Division Chief, Resolution Division, Clothing and Textiles Supply Chain, DLA Troop Support

This session will provide an overview of the Clothing and Textiles part of DLA Troop Support.  Leighann will be going over what C&T is, top items on the DLA radar, projections, as well as upcoming opportunities.

Rep. Timmons will be discussing the current legislative agendas for the 118th Congress.

Lunch Sponsored by

Auggie Tantillo, President, SRG & Associates

Auggie Tantillo will update attendees on policy and legislative developments to include buy-American requirements under the National Defense Authorization Act, China 301 and forced labor issues, the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, and regulatory issues confronting the industrial and technical textile sectors. His presentation will also incorporate insights as to how the new Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives will likely impact policy issues of importance to U.S. manufacturers.

Moderator: James Griffith, COO, Brawer Bros., Inc.
Panelists: Jane Johnson, Government Affairs Manager, Unifi Manufacturing, Inc.; Jordan Krauss, Vice President, American Cord & Webbing Co. Inc.; Zane Vogel, President/CEO, Spiritus Systems

The panel will focus on transition within the industry specifically from different generational perspectives. Topics to include social responsibility vs. profitability, making your company attractive to employees (current and future) and much more!

Jeremy Ginsburg, Founder, Notice U Marketing, Inc.

The proper use of Digital Marketing, Search Marketing, SEO and CRMs to drive your sales effort and measure your results.

You know, current digital tools give you more ability to reach your target market and get sales than anyone in your role has ever had before.

Ok, so now what?

Many have tried a little digital marketing or automating their sales funnel. Most met with mediocre results. They over spent and fell way short of their expectations and became frustrated as they saw others strike gold.

The truth is marketing and sales principles are the same as they have always been. Digital simply provides more tools. As manufacturers know, any tool is only as good as the know-how.

Dr. Melissa Furman, MS, DBA, Founder/Consultant, Career Potential, LLC

Organizational leaders have been navigating uncertain times and many changes have occurred at an accelerated pace. As a result, leaders need to evaluate their abilities, preferences, and perspectives to continue to successfully lead their organizations through this new era of uncertainty and constant flux. This engaging and interactive session will provide recommendations and strategies for navigating ongoing challenges such as generational preferences, employee burnout and work productivity to name a few.

Bill Rooney, Vice President Strategic Development, Kuehne + Nagel Inc.

A global review of conditions in the sea logistics industry covering cargo volume, congestion, rates, labor, government involvement, reliability, industry metrics and a forecast.

Laura Murphy, Research Director, Fibers, Wood Mackenzie Chemicals

The unknowns in the fiber world continue to rise, making for some murky forecasts ahead. This presentation will take a look at the current state of affairs and attempt to show what can come next for our industry.

Roger Tutterow, Ph.D, Professor of Economics, Kennesaw State University

Following the “great Recession” of 2008-9, the economy enjoyed it longest expansion of the Port-WW2 era. That expansion was derailed by a worst global pandemic seen in a several generations. Two years into the post-pandemic recovery, the economy faces new set of challenges threatening a return to recession.

In this session, we consider the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on the retail sector and real estate, prospects for resolution of supply chain and labor market dislocations, the recent upturn in inflation, ongoing changes in Federal Reserve policy changes including both an increasing of policy interest rates and the “unwinding” of bond purchases, implication of these policy shifts for financial institutions and corporate balance sheets, recent shifts in the outlook for residential and non-residential real estate markets and the implication of demographic trends for retail markets and the general business climate.

Thornblade Club

A world class golf experience. The private 18-hole course, underwent a complete bunker renovation and redesign by its original designer, Tom Fazio, in 2019. Thornblade’s course offers golfers of all skill levels a new experience with each round, embodying beauty, natural surroundings and challenging play.

Come chat, snack, drink and explore with a knowledgeable tour guide while they walk you to well-known venues and hidden gems throughout historic downtown Greenville. Stroll through the beautiful downtown with all of it’s charm and character, all while learning a little history.