Milliken Executive and Leadership Team

Halsey Cook, the President & Chief Executive Officer at Milliken, directs the overarching strategic vision for the global manufacturing enterprise. Overseeing the integration of performance textiles, specialty chemicals, and floor covering divisions, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures alignment with long-term sustainability and growth objectives. This leadership role involves constant collaboration with the Board to refine market positioning across North American and international sectors. By prioritizing material science advancements, Cook drives operational excellence and maintains the competitive edge of the organization. The President & Chief Executive Officer manages complex supply chain dynamics while fostering a culture of innovation that defines the company legacy. Through rigorous oversight of capital allocation and resource management, Cook secures the financial health of the firm. Ultimately, the President & Chief Executive Officer positions the company as a leader in industrial manufacturing through disciplined execution and strategic foresight.

Melissa Andrews, the Division Chief Financial Officer, Floor Covering at Milliken, manages the fiscal health and profitability of the floor covering business unit. Overseeing financial planning, budgeting, and cost analysis, the Division Chief Financial Officer, Floor Covering ensures that manufacturing processes remain cost-effective while meeting high quality standards. This role involves analyzing market trends to inform pricing strategies and capital investments in production technology. Andrews collaborates with operational leads to optimize inventory management and supply chain efficiency across regional markets. By providing precise financial insights, the Division Chief Financial Officer, Floor Covering supports the broader corporate strategy of delivering durable and sustainable flooring solutions. This leadership position requires constant monitoring of economic variables that impact raw material procurement and distribution. Through diligent financial stewardship, Andrews drives the profitability of the division and contributes to the overall economic stability of the company.

David Smart, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer at Milliken, directs the global financial strategy, including capital structure, treasury operations, and corporate accounting. Overseeing the financial reporting processes, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ensures transparency and compliance across all manufacturing divisions. This role involves partnering with the CEO to evaluate investment opportunities in specialty chemicals and protective textiles. Smart manages risk assessment frameworks to protect the company against market volatility and currency fluctuations. By optimizing the balance sheet and driving cost-efficiency programs, the Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer supports the long-term growth objectives of the organization. This leadership function requires deep analytical rigor to translate complex manufacturing data into actionable financial strategies. Through disciplined fiscal management, Smart maintains the financial strength necessary to sustain the innovation-led business model of the company.

Marshall Washburn, the President, Automotive at Milliken, directs the strategic operations and market expansion for the automotive division. Overseeing the development and supply of performance textiles and specialty chemicals for vehicle manufacturers, the President, Automotive ensures that product offerings meet the rigorous safety and quality standards of the industry. This role involves managing relationships with major automotive clients and coordinating with production facilities to ensure timely delivery. Washburn analyzes industry trends to guide R&D investments in lightweight materials and sustainable components. By driving operational efficiency and market penetration, the President, Automotive supports the growth of the automotive business unit. This leadership position requires constant collaboration with engineering and sales teams to solve complex technical challenges for global vehicle production. Through focused execution, Washburn maintains the position of the company as a preferred supplier in the competitive automotive market.

Cerulli Paula, the Executive Administrator To the Chairman and President at Milliken, manages the high-level administrative functions and strategic communications for the top leadership of the firm. Facilitating the flow of information between the Chairman, the President, and the broader executive team, the Executive Administrator To the Chairman and President ensures that critical business priorities receive immediate attention. This role involves coordinating board meetings, managing complex travel logistics, and preparing executive-level documentation for strategic reviews. Paula optimizes the efficiency of the executive office by streamlining daily operations and maintaining strict confidentiality regarding corporate initiatives. By providing comprehensive administrative support, the Executive Administrator To the Chairman and President enables the leadership to focus on long-term vision and governance. This position remains essential for maintaining the organizational structure and ensuring that the strategic objectives of the company are communicated and executed effectively across all levels.

Alice McCall, the Executive Assistant To the Chief Human Resources Officer and the Executive Vice President of Operations at Milliken, coordinates critical administrative workflows between human capital management and industrial production teams. Facilitating communication across departments, the Executive Assistant To the Chief Human Resources Officer and the Executive Vice President of Operations ensures that leadership priorities remain synchronized with daily operational requirements. This role involves managing complex scheduling, preparing executive briefings, and supporting the implementation of organizational development initiatives. McCall optimizes the efficiency of the executive office by streamlining information flow and tracking key performance indicators related to workforce engagement and operational output. By maintaining high standards of administrative support, the Executive Assistant To the Chief Human Resources Officer and the Executive Vice President of Operations enables senior leaders to focus on high-level strategic decision-making. This function remains vital for maintaining internal cohesion and operational agility within the manufacturing environment.

Ed Zhao, the Executive Vice President & Managing Director (Asia) & Acting Chief Technology Officer at Milliken, spearheads regional growth initiatives while directing the global research and development agenda. Overseeing the expansion of manufacturing capabilities across Asian markets, the Executive Vice President & Managing Director (Asia) & Acting Chief Technology Officer ensures that local operations align with corporate quality standards. Simultaneously, the Acting Chief Technology Officer drives innovation in material science, focusing on the development of next-generation specialty chemicals and protective textiles. Zhao manages cross-functional teams to accelerate product commercialization and technological integration. By bridging regional market needs with global R&D efforts, the Executive Vice President & Managing Director (Asia) & Acting Chief Technology Officer enhances the competitive positioning of the firm. This dual-focus role requires balancing immediate operational demands in Asia with long-term technological advancements that define the future of the company.

Sandrine Schmitt, the Senior Executive Assistant To the Chief Human Resources Officer at Milliken, manages the administrative operations and strategic scheduling for the human resources leadership team. Facilitating the execution of talent management programs, the Senior Executive Assistant To the Chief Human Resources Officer ensures that organizational development initiatives receive the necessary logistical support. This role involves coordinating high-level meetings, managing sensitive personnel documentation, and tracking the progress of corporate culture projects. Schmitt optimizes the workflow of the HR department by prioritizing executive communications and ensuring that key stakeholders remain informed on policy updates. By maintaining efficient administrative systems, the Senior Executive Assistant To the Chief Human Resources Officer enables the HR leadership to focus on workforce planning and employee engagement strategies. This position serves as a critical link in the internal operations of the company, ensuring that human capital initiatives proceed without disruption.

Danna Vetter, the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Milliken, directs the global brand strategy and market positioning for the diverse portfolio of industrial products. Overseeing marketing communications, digital presence, and customer engagement initiatives, the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer ensures that the value proposition of specialty chemicals and protective textiles reaches target audiences effectively. This role involves analyzing market data to identify emerging opportunities in the healthcare and manufacturing sectors. Vetter collaborates with product development teams to align marketing campaigns with technical innovations. By driving brand awareness and customer loyalty, the Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer supports the revenue growth objectives of the firm. This leadership position requires a deep understanding of industrial market dynamics and the ability to translate complex technical benefits into compelling narratives. Through strategic marketing, Vetter strengthens the market presence of the company.

Bethany Smith, the Senior Chief Human Resources Officer & Executive Vice President at Milliken, directs the global human capital strategy, including talent acquisition, leadership development, and organizational culture. Overseeing the implementation of workforce policies, the Senior Chief Human Resources Officer & Executive Vice President ensures that the company attracts and retains top-tier talent across all manufacturing divisions. This role involves designing compensation structures and performance management systems that align with corporate goals. Smith partners with the executive team to foster an inclusive environment that supports innovation and operational excellence. By driving initiatives related to employee engagement and professional growth, the Senior Chief Human Resources Officer & Executive Vice President strengthens the internal capabilities of the organization. This leadership function requires balancing the needs of a diverse, global workforce with the strategic requirements of the business. Through effective human resources management, Smith ensures the long-term success of the company.