Louis T. (Lou) Protonentis began his textile career in his mid-teens working in a local mill weighing up dye in the drug room. His initial formal education was in Pre-Law with a degree in Administration of Justice from Guilford College. After being accepted at law school, he decided to instead enter the work force and joined Avtex Fibers in Front Royal, Virginia, first as a management trainee and then as Analytical Training Manager for 3 newly acquired Verdol twisters. After the first year, it became apparent that he needed additional technical education so he enrolled in North Carolina State University College of Textiles where he received his Bachelor in Science in Textile Chemistry. Upon graduation, he returned to Guilford Mills and trained as a dyehouse supervisor and before being promoted to SPC Dyehouse Coordinator after creating a program for consistent lot segregation for the automotive program.
The following 11 years were spent with two of the major dyestuff and chemical suppliers to the textile industry. Besides stints in the lab and as a technical representative out in the field, this included opportunities in training, employee development, and human resources. Utilizing his technical and communication skills, Mr. Protonentis began a new career focus in research and development as Technical Director at Cotton Incorporated. Besides assignments in technology implementation and technical service, he spent 3 years in Singapore with responsibility for account management in Southeast Asia.
Mr. Protonentis entered his current field of antimicrobial protection with Microban in 2009 as Director of Liquids and Formulations. He joined Noble Biomaterials in 2011 as Global Technical director, with his current title as Vice President of Integration and Technical Services. He has provided services in 43 countries during his career.
Beginning his affiliation with AATCC while attending NCSU College of Textiles, Mr. Protonentis is a senior member who has served on the Executive Committee On Research, been the Chair for the Jet Dyeing Symposium, and presented papers over the years on dyeing, preparation, enzymes, technology, and finishing. He was the Technical Director at their RTP headquarters in 2013.
