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Wilson College of Textiles 
Textiles History

George Allen Mebane, IV

George Allen Mebane, IV 1929­ – 2008

Allen Mebane was born September 28, 1929 in Greensboro. He excelled in leadership and sports at Christ School in Arden, NC where he graduated in 1948. After attending Davidson College and Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science , now Philadelphia University, he served in the US Army during the Korean War for two years. 1

Early in his career he worked in sales in the textile industry with Sale Knitting Co., Martinsville, VA; then moved on to American & Efird , Mount Holly, NC; and Burlington Industries where became familiar with many aspects of the business. In 1964, at the age of 35, he assumed his first executive position as President and CEO of Throwing Corporation of America. In 1967 he founded, with two others, Universal Textured Yarns where he was President and CEO. Four years later the company was sold and he and others started Unifi, Inc., Greensboro, NC. Over the next 30 years, the company grew to sales of over $1.5 billion, becoming the largest producer and processor of textured yarns in the world with plants in the United States, England, Brazil, and Ireland. 1,3

In 1999, Textile World magazine listed the 50 most influential people in the 20th century. Mebane was ranked fourth. This was an outstanding recognition. 2

In 2000, he retired from Unifi, Inc., and directed his efforts toward the Mebane Charitable Foundation, Inc., with a significant focus on education in the public schools. The Foundation has been responsible for providing technology and educational programs to thousands of students in Davie County, NC. 1

Mebane was a member of the Board of Visitors of Columbia University Medical Center, New York; a member of the Advisory Board of Duke Eye Center, Durham; and Trustee Emeritus of Christ School, Arden, NC. He was a founding member of several country clubs in Pinehurst, Winston­Salem and Cashiers, NC. 1

Mebane died on November 14, 2008.

 

Sources:

  1. Obituary: George Allen Mebane, IV, Raleigh News & Observer, November 16, 2008, p8B.
  2. “TW Selects Industry’s 50 Most Influential,” Textile World, December 1999 p37­61
  3. “Unifi, Inc: Origins.” International Directory of Company Histories. Ed. Tina Grant. Vol. 62. 1, 2004. eNotes. com. 2006. 18 Nov, 2008 <http://www.enotes.com/company­histories/unifi­inc/origins> Accessed November 18, 2008