Spartanburg, S.C.—Milliken & Company’s board of directors has appointed Halsey M. Cook, Jr. as president and CEO, effective Sept. 1, 2018. J. Harold Chandler will return to his role as chair of the board of directors.
“The board of directors is confident that Halsey is the right leader for Milliken’s next era,” said Harold Chandler, current chair, president and CEO. “He has the experience to accelerate what is working very well today at Milliken and, importantly, introduce change where the organization can further leverage our emphasis on innovation, manufacturing excellence and customer care.”
Cook’s 30-year career leading a wide range of large, diversified global businesses with significant manufacturing and distribution networks has prepared him to lead family-owned Milliken. His leadership roles in sales, marketing and product development have included international- and U.S.-based assignments across a variety of companies such as United Technologies and Legrand North America. Most recently, Cook was the president and CEO for Sonepar USA, a family-owned global distributor of electrical products and related solutions.
“I am honored and excited to have been selected to lead Milliken,” said Cook. “It is an esteemed company with talented associates and an opportunity-rich future. I am looking forward to meeting the team and listening to their ideas and aspirations for the next chapter of Milliken & Company.”