Connelly Retires At WONZ

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 3/2/2009 12:00:00 AM

Marble Hill, Ga. —

Wools of New Zealand executive Wes Connelly has retired from his post as North America area manager, ending his career in the floor covering and textiles industry that spanned almost four decades.

His retirement was effective March 1. But Connelly agreed to remain as a consultant to Wools of New Zealand and other industry players upon request, in between “playing golf, traveling and volunteering.”

Connelly ’s 39-year career began at the Woodside, an apparel fabrics division of the now-defunct Dan River Mills. He then moved on to Monsanto, where he worked 11 years before being tapped by the Wool Bureau, where he remained through the evolution of Wools of New Zealand.

Replacing Connelly is Elise Demboski, who returns to the company after a 12-year absence during which she worked as an independent marketing consultant to the floor covering industry.

Demboski will work closely with Connelly to rejuvenate the New Zealand strong wool industry.

As a subsidiary of Wool Partners International – a newly established integrated strong wool procurement and marketing company — Wools of New Zealand is now part of a fully integrated supply chain “that takes the wool from farm to floor.”