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Congratulations to the newly elected officers of the Ozarks Section!

Representing members across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Oklahoma, the Ozarks Section helps strengthen local textile industry connections.

Learn more about Local Sections and how they support regional engagement.

Thank you to these dedicated volunteers for fostering community across the Ozarks region.

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Chair: Andrew Fraser

Andrew Fraser is Director of Global Color and Fabric Quality Control with InMocean, located in Bentonville, AR, USA. In 1986, he received a BS in Textile Science from NCSU. Prior to working at InMocean, he was director of color at Consumer Testing Laboratories/UL, director of color and technical services at Chico’s FAS, owner and CEO of Fraser Technical Services Consulting, director of fabric and color with Walmart Stores Inc., and manager of color and physical testing laboratories for Victoria’s Secret. Fraser has been a member of ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥since 1992 and involved with the Ozarks Section for many years. He also chaired the Color Measurement Test Method Committee, and is a member of the International Test Methods Committee, the Technical Committee on Research, and the Education Advisory Board.

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Vice Chair: Kasandra Wright

Kasandra Wright is a Senior Merchandising Analyst in Walmart’s Fashion. She graduated from the University of Arkansas with a bachelor’s degree in Apparel Merchandising and Product Development and was recognized as a ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥ Textile Merchandising Scholar.
Kasandra began her academic journey at Crowder College before transferring to the University of Arkansas, where she served as a student teacher for sewing and apparel courses. She continued to mentor incoming students in the Apparel Merchandising and Product Development program—a passion that has carried into her career at Walmart. Kasandra was also President of the University’s ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥chapter.
Her work in sustainable, natural-dyed apparel has earned multiple honors, including national recognition as a NEXTILE: Soy In-Design competition winner. She has also published research exploring the use of soy in apparel textiles and advancing sustainability in the industry.

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Treasurer: Ashley Handley

Ashley Handley is a Senior Technical Services Specialist in Retail and Consumer Products at Underwriters Laboratories. In 2005, she received a BS in Human Environmental Sciences at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, focusing on Apparel Studies/Fashion Merchandising/Textile Science. Immediately after graduation, she began her career as a Textile Specialist in the Accessories and Home Division at Consumer Testing Laboratories. She progressed to Textile Engineer in Regulatory Compliance and Technical Support before moving into her current position at Underwriters Laboratories.
Handley has been a member of ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥since 2017 and has been involved with the Ozarks Section. She has served on the Water Resistance, Absorbency & Wetting Agent Evaluation Test Methods Committee, Appearance Retention Test Methods Committee, Stain Resistance Test Methods Committee, and Colorfastness to Water Test Methods Committee.

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The Ozarks Section is seeking more members to get involved in growing the Section activities.

If you’re interested in getting involved, reach out to the Ozarks Section committee.