Wilson College of Textiles Names New Director of Milliken Textile Protection and Comfort Center
Associate Professor Bryan Ormond will become the second director of TPACC as Professor Roger Barker moves into a new role.
The Milliken Textile Protection and Comfort Center at NC State University’s Wilson College of Textiles (TPACC) has a new director for the first time in its history.
Professor Roger Barker founded the world-renowned research and testing center before serving as its director for the next three decades. Effective July 1, he is transitioning to a director emeritus role. Associate Professor Bryan Ormond has been named the next director.
Barker has earned both the Burlington Distinguished Professorship and the Holladay Medal, the highest faculty honor awarded by NC State. Under his leadership, TPACC has earned more than $75 million in government and industry research and service contracts. Partnerships with the Department of Homeland Security, the National Fire Protection Association, and others have generated countless meaningful scientific contributions.
“Dr. Barker’s remarkable international reputation in textile engineering, leadership, global partnerships, innovation, strategic thinking and unwavering dedication have cemented TPACC’s reputation as a truly unique international leader in the areas of protection and comfort for emergency response personnel, the military, industry and government agencies,” Dean David Hinks wrote in an announcement to his colleagues at the Wilson College.
A two-time NC State alumnus, Associate Professor Bryan Ormond has spent his entire career expanding TPACC’s reputation and impact. Through this research, he has established himself as a leading expert in the area of personal protective equipment. He is the winner of the Goodnight Early Career Innovators Award, the Alumni Distinguished Undergraduate Professor Award, and the Wilson College of Textiles Distinguished Young Alumni Award.
Just as important as these accolades, however, are the strong relationships Ormond has built with local firefighters, national firefighting groups and international standards organizations. This combination is precisely why Hinks says he has excitement and confidence in TPACC’s future.
“Dr. Ormond is well positioned to lead TPACC on its continued trajectory in achieving high impact in research, service and education,” Hinks wrote.
This post was originally published in Wilson College of Textiles News.
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