AAFA Committees and Divisions

 I. Government, Trade and Regulatory Issues:

• Government Relations Committee
  The committee serves as the principal "eyes and ears" for AAFA on trade, legislative and regulatory matters at national and international levels. It directs lobbying and advocacy responses for matters affecting the apparel and footwear industries. It advises the Board and Executive Committee on policy positions. It coordinates the Political Action Committee. Staff Liaison: Stephen Lamar
  
  Chair: Jerry Cook, Vice President for International Trade, Hanesbrands, "The government relations committee meets with key agencies and staffers in Washington to stay on top of key trade issues. We also work to express the voice of the AAFA to members of Congress and the administration during scheduled lobby days and through the activities of the AAFA staff. If staying on top of legislative issues is important to you and your company, I encourage you to participate in the GR Committee."     
  •  Brand Protection Council

    Working under the auspices of the Government Relations Committee, the Brand Protection Council is charged with helping to protect U.S. branded products against cheap imitations that are flooding the marketplace. Staff Liasons:  Kurt Courtney and Susan Lapetina.
    
    Chair:  Edward J. Haddad, Vice President - Intellectual Property and Licensed Products, New Balance Athletic Shoe Inc., "Counterfeits and trademark infringements attack the most important asset a company owns-its brand image. Unless controlled, a brand can be destroyed by unauthorized products in the marketplace. The Brand Protection Council seeks ways to heighten consumer awareness to the real cost of counterfeits and provide support to AAFA members dealing with this problem."
• Government Contracts Committee
  The GCC keeps members apprised of developments that bear on the needs and requirements of the government with respect to the procurement of clothing and the problems faced by the industry in its supplier relations with the government. Staff Liason: Kurt Courtney
  
• Chair: Michael Mansh, President, Pennsylvania Apparel LLC, "The government contracts committee is an excellent networking group bringing together apparel & footwear manufacturers, as well as their textile & trim suppliers with the military, their biggest customer. The committee meetings provide the opportunity for the government to update their clothing and individual equipment suppliers on purchasing forecasts to better enable companies to plan production. AAFA pursues legislative priorities based on the GCC, such as maintaining and strengthening the Berry Amendment and reforming Federal Prison Industries. These issues and more are tracked by the association and the committee members are kept up to date and notified when congressional contact is needed to effect a change. So, if you are a supplier or manufacturer to the government and would like to be involved in furthering these issues, I suggest you become a member of the GCC."
• Social Responsibility Committee
  

  The committee identifies and discusses global social responsibility issues and trends that affect the apparel and footwear industries. The committee meets 3-4 times a year to discuss these issues with relevant U.S. government decision makers and other national and international stakeholders. When necessary, the Committee makes recommendations to the AAFA Board of Directors and AAFA management on issues that require industry action. Staff Liaison: Nate Herman
  
  

  Co-Chairs: Daryl Brown, Vice President, Manufacturing Administration Liz Claiborne Inc. and Laura Wittman, Vice President, Corporate Compliance, Jones Apparel Group, Inc., "The Social Responsibility committee provides the broadest forum available, both nationally and internationally, for AAFA members to discuss common issues of corporate social responsibility."
  
  
  • The Environmental Task Force
    A subcommittee of the Social Responsibility Committee (SRC).  It creates a forum for apparel, footwear, and textile executives; labs and testing companies, and other solution providers to discuss proper environmental steward and best practices.  The ETF has staged seminars in New York and China on Restricted Substances and Environmental Auditing Best Practices, and is now tracking new regulatory and legislative developments in China, Europe, the United States and elsewhere.  It usually meets 3-4 times a year, often in conjunction with the SRC.
    
    
    
    Chair: John Eapen, Vice President, Environmental, Health and Safety, American & Efird, "The Environmental Task Force has taken a strong and visible role in educating the industry on restricted substance lists and chemical management systems and in providing information on best practices. For companies interested in environmental sustainability, it is a critically important forum.  It is the group's responsibility to ensure that member companies are apprised of environmental legislative and regulatory developments that could impact their global operations and to educate policymakers on the group's efforts to be responsible environmental stewards and minimize pollution".

• Financial Management Committee
  The committee develops and implements financial programs of benefit and assistance to the membership and to the industry. Meetings typically include formal presentations on accounting and compliance issues, insurance and financing alternatives, benchmarking, trade and other issues and include open roundtable discussions on current hot topics. Staff Liaison: Ralph Reinecke
  
  Co-Chairs: Britt Ingebritson, Willianson Dickie and Jerry Sholtz, Maggy London 

• Human Resources Leadership Council
  The council develops and implements programs that will assist the membership in all areas of personnel policies both domestic and global. It encourages and provides guidance to AAFA member firms in establishing leadership development programs. The council provides a Web site, www.careerthreads.com where interested individuals can find colleges that teach an AAFA recommended curriculum and, at the same time, aids AAFA companies in their search for qualified employees by providing a link to classified sections on company websites on which jobs have been posted. The Council also writes a suggested curriculum for colleges and universities who have degree programs in apparel and textiles. Staff Liaison: Maureen Storch
  
  Chair: Will Duncan, Vice President Industry Services, TC2, "The HR Leadership Council serves numerous purposes for the industry, providing a forum to share best practices and develop programs in areas of recruitment, internships, training, organizational development, health and safety, as well as policy development and community relations. The council serves a key role in providing guidance to educational institutions in the U.S. and Canada and to assist them in the devleopment of curricula relevant to the needs of the industry. The Council sponsors an annual conference on International Human Resources where executives and members of the industry can meet and gain invaluable insights to conducting business in the industry off shore. Participation on the council provides an excellent networking opportunity and is made up of HR executives, educators and manager in the areas of operations, product development, training and customer support."
• Supplier Resource Committee
  The SRC is composed of the many different product and service providers engaged in the apparel and footwear global supply chain. We represent their interest through active participation with the AAFA Board to provide an effective venue for a more balanced exchange of ideas in leveraging our collective resources to the good our industry.   Staff Liaison: Susan Lapetina
  
  Chair: Judy Crawford, YKK Corporation of America, "Today's Supplier Resource Committee (SRC) hopes to serve not only our own best interests, but also the organization's and the industry's as a whole. We will do this by creating rich networking opportunities for both suppliers and members at large, and by pinpointing issues/challenges/problems that concern all and turning these into opportunities to grow our businesses everywhere -- but especially in this hemisphere."

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III. Divisions and Specialty Markets:

• Childrenswear Marketing Division
  The division’s purpose is to stimulate the growth of the children’s apparel business by creating a forum to present educational programs, provide networking opportunities, develop strategic retail partnerships, and actively identify, address and act on matters of interest to its membership, the consumer and retailer. It advises its members on government matters and other actions affecting the childrenswear industry and informs members of important industry trends, statistical information and technical advancements. It may undertake lobbying and regulatory activities, and create generic marketing and communication opportunities. Staff Liaison: Rebecca Mond
  
  Chair: Andrew Kahn, Chairman, Kahn Lucas Lancaster, "The rules and regulations for being in the children's clothing business are changing daily. The children's division deals with the unique issues such as CPSC and flammability. Join us to help to be a decision maker. We are also a great networking center for our industry. Knowing the other players has many great benefits."
• Footwear Division
  The Footwear Division represents the interests of the footwear manufacturers and their suppliers in the activities of the association. It manages USA pavilions around the world to promote members’ products, and runs the only footwear supplier trade show in the U.S. It manages educational programs, and is the liaison to its technology partner, SATRA, the largest footwear research and development center in the world. Staff Liasons: Susan Lapetina and Nate Herman
  
  Chair: Bernie Leifer, President & CEO, SGFootwear, "The issues facing our industry are varied and daunting. AAFA’s application and emphasis on trade, human rights and the environment are essential to the well being of its member and in a wider context the betterment of all. To no small extent AAFA is our eyes, ears and face to the world. Our role as good shepherd to the industry is one of both necessity and election."
  
• Intimate Apparel Council
  The council stimulates the growth of the intimate apparel business by creating a forum to actively identify, address, and act on matters of interest to the intimate apparel industry. The council cooperates with consultants and others in gathering information of special concern to intimate apparel design houses and engages in public relations programs for the benefit of the consumer, the retailer and the manufacturer and design house. Staff Liaison: Mary Howell
  
  Chair: Mark Sandler, Senior Vice President, Sales, O’Bryan Brothers, Inc. "The Intimate Apparel Council is a venue where senior executives are able to address industry specific global issues. It serves as a forum in which intimate apparel competitor’s work together to develop programs and initiatives that will meet their mutual as well as individual needs - insuring the future strength of the intimate apparel sector. The council hosts educational programs featuring senior level speakers from the fields of retailing, manufacturing, marketing and consultancy."  

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IV. Technology Issues:

• Supply Chain Leadership Committee
  The committee develops, promotes, improves, and provides education about Quick Response and Supply Chain concepts, practices, and partnerships throughout the value added chain to satisfy consumer requirements. Staff Liasion: Mary Howell
  
  Chair: Bob Copeland, Principal, Kurt Salmon Associates, "The Supply Chain Leadership Committee of the AAFA is a group of leading industry executives focused on the supply chain from concept to consumer.  The committee provides education on supply chain best practices and emerging trends through high quality speakers and networking between members in a collaborative, engaging environment.  The committee meets semi-annually in the spring and in the fall."

• Information Systems Committee
  The committee assists sewn products manufacturers companies in understanding, developing, and implementing the systems necessary to effectively manage and operate a global supply chain enterprise. Staff Liaison: Mary Howell
  
  Chair: Trey Martino, Chief Operating Officer, Russell Newman, Ltd., "We invite you to join other senior IT executives twice a year to network and share experiences with your peers in the industry. During these meetings, we have formal presentations, participate in structured as well as informal discussions about shared issues and opportunities. We visit facilities and companies of interest to our members to broaden our exposure to future technologies and developments. Participation on the ISC provides you a forum to meet with, and discuss relevant subjects with your peers in the apparel community and related vendor companies. The ISC experience offers a unique opportunity to benchmark our personal and company's performance to others in related business activities."