Powering Textile Performance 
With Experience & Expertise

Al Thomas was born in Greenville, SC with a textile spindle in his hand. He graduated from Wyoming Seminary College Preparatory School in Kingston, PA where he was Alumni of The Year in 2007. He also graduated from Furman University in Greenville with degrees in Business and Economics. He served in the US Army in Germany as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne during the Vietnam war.Following military service, Al worked for US Textile Machine Company in Scranton, PA and Greenville, SC. He became Vice President of the parent company and President of Utex, Inc. the sales organization.His textile career began at the age of 16 with summer jobs at Jaunty Textiles in Scranton. It was a filament twisting, weaving, dyeing and finishing operation. The plant ran primarily nylon but also some silk. He began in the twisting department and worked in every area of yarn preparation including warping and beaming. Al is one of the last active people in the textile industry who actually ran silk.In 1971 he founded Thomas Textile Machinery, Inc. a textile machinery sales agency. In 1986 he merged TTM and Ernest L. Frankl Corp. an old line German textile machinery sales agency to form Frankl & Thomas, Inc. which is the oldest textile machinery sales agency still in business. The combination of the two organizations has been a good move. F&T has prospered since 1986.An ardent conservationist, he and his wife Kay founded the four active chapters of The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation in South Carolina.Hobbies include snow skiing, running, biking, fishing, hunting and working at his lake house. He is also a volunteer assistant rugby coach for Greenville High School.He has served the Republican Party in many positions since 1970. He and his family are communicants of Christ Church Episcopal. He is a member of the advisory board School of Material Science and Engineering at Clemson University. He is Alumni Trustee of Wyoming Seminary. He and Kay live in Greenville where their four adult children also have the good fortune of living.

Michael was born in Alexandria, Virginia, into a military family and spent his childhood living across Europe, Hawaii, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, Alabama, and Illinois.He graduated from Southern Illinois University in 1982 with a double major in Business and Political Science, earning consistent Dean’s List honors. He later completed continuing education courses through Clemson University, NC State, and the University of North Carolina.Michael began his career with JP Stevens at the Greer Plant, later transitioning to Delta Woodside. He was selected for Delta Woodside’s prestigious Career Enhancement Program, an accelerated development track for top young managers. By age 29, he became one of the youngest plant superintendents in the company, gaining experience in every phase of textile manufacturing from cotton bale to finished goods.In 1997, Michael joined Frankl & Thomas—a move he describes as life‑changing. He was hired to launch the company’s weaving division and later promoted to Vice President & General Manager. Under his leadership, the weaving division has grown into the largest division within the company.Michael has been married to his wife, Cheryl, for 42 years, and they have three children and four grandchildren. He enjoys traveling the world through his work with Frankl & Thomas, reading, and spending time with his family.

Information is currently under maintenance.

William “Putt” Church was born and raised in Dothan, Alabama. He attended Auburn University and graduated in 1993 with a degree in Business Administration. After graduation, Putt worked with Dixie Yarns as a management trainee and quality control manager. After his employment with Dixie Yarns, Putt took a job with GK Sales Inc. as a sales agent for open end Schlafhorst components. In 2002, Putt started Church House Inc. Church House Inc. represents 5 textile related vendors.

Trish’s path into the textile industry was a natural one. Born in Greer, she grew up watching her father build a long career with JPS Industries, and that early exposure shaped her own professional direction. After graduating from Greer High School in 1995, Trish attended Greenville Technical College while working as a bookkeeper at BILO. She later completed the BILO School of Business program and served as a Customer Service Manager before moving into banking with Greer State Bank.In 2002, Trish joined FranklThomas, where her strong background in bookkeeping and administration quickly proved invaluable. She began as the Sales Administrator and was promoted to Comptroller within her first year. More than 24 years later, her dedication, expertise, and deep industry knowledge continue to make her an essential part of the FranklThomas family. “I love my job,” Trish says. “I’m very thankful for the opportunity FranklThomas gave me years ago. Frankl & Thomas isn’t just where I work – it’s a family I’m grateful to be part of.”Away from the numbers, Trish loves spending time with her husband, Eric, and her three daughters Hannah, Kara, and Adalyn, who keep life full and joyful.

Robina attended Trinity College in Washington DC, receiving a bachelor of science in Math/Chemistry and Chemistry/Physics. She holds a 6-Sigma Black Belt Certification from Villanova University and has a 6-Sigma Master Black Belt Certification DMAIC & DFSS with SigmaPro.She retired as a staff R&D Engineer from Celanese, and established Hogan Consulting LLC in September 2005. She has extensive experience in project management, 6-Sigma, statistical analysis, sales, manufacturing, product development, quality control and customer technical service. She is currently a Commercialization Manager for Fibers for the United Soybean Board through Omni Tech International Inc, working with universities and industrial partners to develop soy fibers and their commercial applications. In addition, she provides support marketing, sales, technical and new product development for Frankl-Thomas and Progression Systems Incorporated, with emphasis to broaden existing sales and develop new customers and applications.She is serving on the AATCC board representing the Materials Interest Group since 2009.Robina has prepared documentation for and received several process/equipment patents in polyester and acetate manufacturing for Celanese and new patent applications for soy industrial chemistry applications.Robina is married to Dennis Hogan, has three daughters and four grand children and lives in Charlotte, NC. She loves being with her family and spends any free time relaxing at Bald Head Island.