Allen E. Gant, Jr. retires as Glen Raven CEO

Glen Raven, Inc. has announced Allen E. Gant, Jr. has retired as CEO of the family owned company founded by his grandfather in 1880.

Gant will remain chairman of Glen Raven’s operating board. Founded in Alamance County, North Carolina, Glen Raven, Inc. is a family owned company with product sales into more than 120 countries worldwide.

Glen Raven is active in upholstery, marine, technical shading, automotive, military, water filtration, and protective work wear markets and operates national distribution and logistics subsidiaries.

Gant announced his plans to retire as CEO of Glen Raven in 2013. The announcement activated a succession plan that named C.G. “Leib” Oehmig, IV, a 28-year veteran of Glen Raven, president and chief operating officer with the intent that he would become CEO upon Gant’s retirement, which was effective Oct. 5.

“Leib’s previous leadership role will serve him well as the next CEO of Glen Raven,” Gant said. “He is a transformative leader and a strategic architect of the company’s current course focused on solutions for our customers. His ability to lead will be felt across our company’s global footprint for years to come.”

Oehmig joined Glen Raven in 1989 and led the construction and management of the company’s 1-million-square-foot Sunbrella fabrics manufacturing center in Anderson, South Carolina.

His tenure at Anderson led to his promotion as president of Glen Raven Custom Fabrics, LLC, the makers of Sunbrella, a position he held until he was named president and COO of Glen Raven, Inc.

“I am privileged to work alongside our associates, who are among Glen Raven’s greatest assets and whose input is invaluable as the company continues its mission to design and build innovative solutions that improve people’s lives,” Oehmig said. “I’ve also been fortunate to learn from the best during my career at Glen Raven, including from a predecessor who puts a premium on collaboration and teamwork.”

Gant joined Glen Raven in 1971 – his first job was in industrial engineering – and rose through the ranks until he was named CEO in 1996.

After 21 years as the chief executive, Gant said he relishes the long-term potential and global reach of Glen Raven’s solutions under Oehmig, the first non-Gant family member to serve as CEO in the company’s 137-year-history.

“For as long as I can remember, Glen Raven has been in a constant state of transformation,” Gant said. “That’s how we have remained relevant in the markets we serve, and it also serves as a constant reminder that you have to drive change and not just respond or react to it.”