De-Sheng Tsai, Ph. D. President
Dr. De-Sheng Tsai completed his graduate study and holds a doctorate in plant physiology from Penn State University. Dr. Tsai, a self-made entrepreneur, dedicated tremendous efforts and endured many challenges in building several manufacturing businesses with innovative technologies. He managed Acelink Venture Capital (Taiwan) in 1992; founded Flexus Specialty Fabrics Ltd. (Taiwan) and served as President to start the development of latex-free elastic nonwovens. Flexus quickly became a subsidiary of Taiwan Formosa Plastics Group, from 1994 to 2001. With his invention and commercialization of the Phoenix Latex-free Elastic Nonwoven Technology, Dr. Tsai has been recognized by global nonwovens and disposable product industries.
Dr. Tsai worked with E. I. Dupont de Nemours and Company (USA) as a Technical Fellow from 2005 until 2009. He joins Burlington Technologies as well, to serve as Chief Innovation Officer. Dr. Tsai also founded and served as a Board Director of FirstFin Corporation, Ltd. (Taiwan) since 1995 to this day.
Dr. Tsai brings unsurpassed entrepreneurial passion and drive along with extensive knowledge in practical technologies and the mind-set of business and management innovations.
Robert Sills, Board Director
Robert Sills is a seasoned executive with 40 years of experience within the corporate ranks of Burlington Industries. He graduated from North Carolina State university in 1964 with a degree in Textile Engineering and Management. He began his career with Burlington after graduation and worked in numerous positions, locations, and plants within the manufacturing organization. His final assignment with Burlington was as Executive Vice President of Manufacturing for Burlington House, a major division within the company, retiring in 2004.
In May, 2007 Robert came out of retirement and led a group of investors to acquire the assets and business of Pioneer Plant. This acquisition was named Burlington Manufacturing Services. In February of 2009, the company further acquired theTietex Interiors business from Tietex International which included the Williamsburg Plant, a Jacquard weaving operation. The factory manufactures fine, high-end Upholstery Fabrics for the Residential, Contract, and Window Coverings markets. Mr. Sills has long seen the need for diversification and the addition of new, innovative technologies. From that vision he pursued new and different products to manufacture in his factories. VitaFlex is one of the companies which have been formed from his vision, being formed in early 2009. The Burlington Manufacturing Services name has been changed to Burlington Technologies to more closely reflect the nature of the businesses currently being added to the platform.
Yoshiteru Ito, Board Director
Mr. Ito is the President of the Fujiya Corporation, LTD headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Fujiya is a major distributor of Health and Beauty Aids under the Smaly Brand of products. During his high school years, Mr. Ito came to the US, fostered by Mr. Merwin W. Randall and his family. He attended Edgewater High School, Orlando, Florida from 1961 to 1962 and Orlando Junior College (now University of Central Florida) Orlando, Florida from 1962 to 1963. Mr. Ito transferred to and attended San Francisco State University from 1963-1964. Shortly, he was invited to join the Tokyo Olympics Organizing Committee in 1964. He thought he would return to the US after the Olympics event. However, he remained in Japan from that point forward. Mr. Ito completed his college study at Dokkyo University, Saitama, Japan from 1965 to 1969.
Fujiya Corporation is Mr. Ito family business which manufactures injection needles. He has been involved in the business since 1972, having served as Managing Director from 1980 and as President since 1986. Mr. Ito also served as a Member of the Board of Councillors, Dokkyo Group of Academic Institutions from 1982 to 2003. The Dokkyo Group is a major academic institute which was founded in 1881 consisting of three universities, one college, two senior high schools, and two junior high schools, with a total of 3803 teaching professionals and office workers as of 2002. He was the Executive Trustee of the group from 1995 to 2003, the number two position within the Dokkyo Group.
Al Blalock, Board Director
Mr. Blalock comes to VitaFlex after a distinguished career at Burlington Industries and Galey and Lord, Inc. In 1972 he graduated from Appalachian State University with a degree in Business Administration, and is a veteran of the United States Air Force. At ViatFlex, he has reunited with his colleagues at Burlington Industries, Robert Sills and Jim Joyner. Mr.Blalock has extensive experience as an executive in the Home Furnishings and Apparel Textile Manufacturing Industries.
Having begun his career in Burlington House (a major division of Burlington Industries) he moved into increasingly broader assignments in the Drapery and Domestics areas of Home Fashions.
He later moved into Apparel Textile Manufacturing management with Burlington Corduroy and Burlington Blended Fabrics. At Burlington Blended Fabrics he was involved in the Leveraged Buy Out which created Galey and Lord, Inc. He ultimately was elevated to Corporate Vice President and Senior Operations Vice President of the Company. He held this position from 1990 through 2007. Mr. Blalock was instrumental in creating Galey and Lord’s Global manufacturing platform by staffing and managing Joint Ventures in Mexico and China. Under his leadership, Galey and Lord became the undisputed market leader in the production of unique 100% cotton apparel fabrics and commercialized the Wrinkle Free finishes so prevalent in today casual cotton slacks.
VitaFlex is extremely excited to have Mr. Blalock leadership in the company formation and start up.
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