Valdese Weavers Names Earles, Walters to New Posts

Valdese, N.C. — Jason Earles has been named to the new position of vp sales and marketing for Circa 1801, a division of Valdese Weavers. Earles succeeds John Lenox, president of Circa 1801 for many years, who has left the company.

Valdese also has named long-time industry executive Bob Walters, vp customer relations, also a new position. "This is a new role for the company, a position I feel is needed because of the new dynamics of the industry – we're dedicated to filling the needs of our customers," said Mike Shelton, president and ceo. "Our goal long-term is to create a new model beyond the historic buyer/seller relationship in our industry and Bob brings a background of 20 plus years in the industry and gives us the perspective as to how we can achieve our goals."

Earles, who joined Valdese in 2007 as sales manager for the company's Valdese International Products (VIP) segment, has been national sales manager for three years at The Robert Allen Group. He began his career in textiles in 1999 as a sales representative at P/Kaufmann-Braemore.

"Jason will lead our sales effort to reestablish the brand identity of Circa 1801 and will complement the creative genius of Margaret Coffin, vp, design and product development," Shelton said.

Valdese purchased Circa 1801/Doblin last year, and has now dropped the Doblin piece of the company name. "I have a keen appreciation for the heritage of Circa 1801 from my time at Doblin in the '80s," said Shelton. "From founder Arnold Doblin to Josh Schneider and John Lenox, who with Margaret Coffin created Circa 1801, many individuals have helped bring the company to this point."

Earles, along with Coffin and Bill Garner, vp of manufacturing, "now have the opportunity to take Circa 1801 to a new level of importance in the market."

"I also want to recognize the contributions of John Lenox, who led Circa 1801 for many years. We wish him well in his future endeavors."