🌟 Celebrating National Volunteer Month — April 2026 🌟
This April, ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥proudly recognizes National Volunteer Month by honoring the exceptional professionals who contribute their time, expertise, and leadership to advance our mission. Our member volunteers represent suppliers, manufacturers, brands, academic institutions, testing laboratories, and every link in the global textile supply chain, playing a vital role in shaping an empowered, informed, and sustainable future for our industry.
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ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥Volunteer Feature Friday: Week 2 &/volunteermonth2026/8211; Celebrating Our Long Standing Members
As we continue our Week 2 Volunteer Spotlight series, we are pleased to recognize three distinguished members whose long standing service has contributed significantly to the strength and continuity of AATCC. Over many years, these individuals have demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment, offering steady leadership, dependable support, and a deep understanding of our mission and values.
Their sustained involvement has guided our organization through periods of growth, transition, and innovation. Each has played a meaningful role in shaping key initiatives, supporting fellow volunteers, and ensuring that our programs remain both effective and mission driven. Their contributions reflect not only dedication, but also a profound sense of responsibility to the community we serve.
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Buddy Garrett has extensive experience in the textile industry, holding positions such as Associate Director of Textile Chemistry Research at Cotton Incorporated, Sr. Manager of Dyeing Services at Abercrombie & Fitch, Dyeing Technical Manager at International Textile Group, and Dyeing Department Manager at United Piece Dye Works. Buddy holds a Master of Business Administration from Elon University and a Bachelor of Science in Textile Science from North Carolina State University. He has been a member of ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥since 2011 and has served in many roles including currently as Chair of RA34 Preparation Test Methods and RA104 Wet Processing as well as Piedmont Section Chair.
ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥Member Contributions
Buddy Garrett has demonstrated exemplary service through his extensive involvement across multiple facets of AATCC. He has been a valued contributor to program planning committees for major ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥events, where his insight and professional network have strengthened speaker recruitment and enhanced the quality of conference programming. As Chair of the Piedmont Section, Buddy worked alongside the other Piedmont Section Officers to provide strategic leadership by securing and funding a tabletop exhibit for the 2025 Fabricating the Future Conference and coordinating support for the North Carolina State University Student Chapter to gain valuable industry experience by managing the exhibit during the conference. Buddy has also contributed meaningfully to Research Committees and collaborated closely with the Technical and Education Teams, offering expertise that supports the advancement of AATCC’s initiatives. His sustained leadership, professionalism, and commitment continue to elevate the work and mission of the Association.
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Susan Matter has been an ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥member since 1991, beginning her involvement as Co President of the ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥Student Chapter at the University of California, Davis. Throughout her professional career, she has remained an active contributor to ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥at the national level, serving in roles such as Secretary and Chair of multiple Research Committees, Western Section Board Member, and Past Chair and Membership Chair of the ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥Northwest Section. Susan holds a Bachelor of Science in Textiles from the University of California, Davis, and has more than 30 years of experience in retail product development. She currently serves as Product Integrity Manager for SanMar in Issaquah, Washington.
ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥Member Contributions
Throughout her long-standing involvement with AATCC, Susan Matter has distinguished herself as a dedicated advocate for the Association’s mission and a consistent contributor to its technical and educational work. She has supported ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥at both the national and regional levels, lending her expertise to Research Committees, section leadership roles, and membership development efforts. Known for her deep passion for textile testing and commitment to advancing industry knowledge, Susan generously shares her experience with emerging professionals and students, helping to strengthen the next generation of textile leaders. Her support extends well beyond formal responsibilities; she routinely invests her own time and resources to participate in ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥events, demonstrating an exceptional level of personal commitment. Susan’s professionalism, generosity, and unwavering enthusiasm make her an invaluable member of the ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥community.
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Dr. Robert A. (Bob) Monticello has been a member of ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥since 2004 and holds a B.S. in Microbiology from Michigan State University, an M.S. in Molecular Biology from Western Michigan University, and a Ph.D. in Microbiology and Biochemistry from Wayne State University, where he also completed a Post‑Doctoral Fellowship in Molecular Medicine. He has spent more than 30 years as a textile microbiologist, research scientist, technical director, and consultant specializing in antimicrobial and odor‑control technologies. He currently chairs the Standards and Procedural Development Committee for the International Antimicrobial Council, leads the ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥RA31 Antimicrobial and Odor Control Committee, and chairs ASTM Committee E35 on Pesticides, Antimicrobials, and Alternative Control Agents. He has held leadership roles with the International Biodeterioration Research Group, serves as a technical consultant to the OECD Task Force on Biocides, and participates as a U.S. expert on several ISO task groups. He has published extensively on antimicrobial and odor‑control technologies for porous and non‑porous surfaces and has contributed to the development of several widely used international test standards.
ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥Member Contributions
He serves as Chair of the ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥RA31 Antimicrobial and Odor Control Committee, where he provides leadership in advancing critical work within this technical area. Under his leadership, the committee has contributed to the development and implementation of several international standards, including some of the most widely used test methods in the industry today. His expertise and commitment have played a significant role in strengthening global testing practices and supporting the continued advancement of antimicrobial and odor control technologies. He has also served as a member of the ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥Publications Committee and as a reviewer and Associate Editor on the ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥Journal of Research.
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We extend our heartfelt appreciation to each of our featured volunteers for their exemplary service and steadfast commitment to AATCC. Their leadership, generosity, and dedication strengthen our community and advance the work that defines our mission. We are grateful for the expertise they share, the time they invest, and the positive impact they continue to make across the Association. Their contributions set a meaningful standard for all who follow.
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ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥Volunteer Feature Friday: Week 1 &/volunteermonth2026/8211; New Voices, Big Impact
Week 1 highlighted members who joined our organization within the last two years and have already stepped boldly into leadership, brought forward fresh ideas, and made a meaningful impact. Their willingness to dive in, take initiative, and support others has been remarkable. Each of them has contributed in ways that strengthen our programs, elevate our mission, and show what’s possible when passion meets purpose. We’re genuinely impressed by the momentum they’ve created and grateful for the energy and creativity they bring to our community.
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Dr. Mazeyar Parvinzadeh Gashti is an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at Pittsburg State University in Kansas, USA. He got his PhD in Textile Chemistry and Fiber Science and undertook three postdoctoral positions at the University of Bern (Switzerland), Laval University, and McGill University (Canada) from 2011 to 2016. With 20 years’ experience in the textile industry, he has led several R and D funded projects from the US National Science Foundation, the US Department of Agriculture, Innovative Solutions Canada Program, Innovation for Defense Excellence and Security Program (Canada), The Industrial Research Assistance Program (Canada), and Build in Canada Innovation Program for North America’s textile industry. Since 2019, he has been a member of the Directory Board of the Canadian Institute of Textile Science.
ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥Member Contributions
Dr. Gasthi stepped up from serving as Great Lakes Section Education Chair into the role of Great Lakes Section Vice Chair, taking on greater responsibility with confidence and enthusiasm. He expanded the student chapter at Pittsburg State University by introducing new opportunities for involvement and strengthening the connection between students and AATCC. Most impressively, he developed and manages the Great Lakes Section Webinar Series —securing speakers, coordinating schedules, preparing content, and hosting each session. His leadership has turned the series into a valuable resource for members and a standout example of his initiative and dedication to the members of AATCC.
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Dr. Kedena Henriques–Thompson is a textile scientist, innovation, product development and design professional redefining how we think about materials. Her work reflects a holistic understanding of materials stemming from agriculture and fiber systems to advanced apparel and footwear performance. With academic training in agriculture and environmental sciences, focused on crop, plant, and fiber production, alongside formal education in fashion design, she earned her PhD in Textile Technology Management from North Carolina State University, where her work centered on footwear materials, biomechanics, anthropometrics, and ergonomics to better understand human–product interaction. She brings a rare, end-to-end comprehensive perspective on the textile supply chain and manufacturing, seamlessly blending science, design, and real-world application into product performance.
Her industry experience with global brands spans footwear and apparel development across childrenswear, womenswear, menswear, accessories, and home textiles. She has led product development, material sourcing, color and print innovation, product approval processes, global sourcing strategies, and product commercialization; focusing on technical execution while supporting cost and quality outcomes.
Her research centers on textile biophysics and the human-to-textile interface, particularly within performance apparel and footwear (occupational and athletic) systems, supported by advanced tools such as BIOPAC instrumentation, fiber and fabric microstructural analysis, and applied testing methods. She is deeply engaged in advancing industry standards through her leadership in AATCC, contributing to the development of test methods that better reflect real-world use and emerging performance demands. As a mentor, she is committed to guiding students through independent study and taught lectures, fostering their ability to think critically across science and industry. Looking ahead, Dr. Henriques–Thompson aims to drive innovation in sustainability advancement within high-performing material systems that redefine how textiles function across product ranges, delivering solutions that are inclusive and equitable for both people and the planet—from soil to skin—for athletes, occupational settings, everyday wearers, and diverse use applications alike.
ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥Member Contributions
Dr. Henriques–Thompson serves as Chair of both RA100 Global Sustainability Test Method Committee and RA113 Emerging Issues Test Methods Committee and contributes as an active member of RA24, RA59, RA63, and RA115. Despite being a relatively new member, she has quickly become a key leader within the research community. She plays a central role in the RA100 NIR-based Textile Sorting Subcommittee of RA100 Global Sustainability, where she excels at keeping discussions focused and providing structure that moves the group’s work forward. Her support extends beyond committee work—she consistently promotes ÐãÉ«Ö±²¥events, encourages test method use, and strengthens involvement at NC State. Her ability to step into multiple leadership roles while contributing meaningfully across several committees demonstrates an exceptional level of commitment and impact.
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Are you interested in getting involved with AATCC?ÌýWe’d love to connect!ÌýReach out to membership@aatcc.org and share what excites you or how you might like to contribute. We’ll help identify opportunities that align with your background and interests.Ìý
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