2/12/10
Thank you to the local businesses for employing workers with a disability.
Badcock Furniture
Blue Mountain Grill
Britthaven
Brother's
Carolina Mountain
Cherokee Cycles
Cherokee County Recycling
Cherokee County Schools
Clay Care Center
Clay County Schools
Downtown Pizza
Duncan Oil
Elastic Products
Gibson Furniture
Hardee's
Holiday Inn Express
Huddle House - Andrews, Hayesville
Ingles - Andrews, Hayesville, Robbinsville
Kentucky Fried Chicken - Andrews, Murphy
Lowe's
McDonald's - Andrews, Murphy, Robbinsville
MGM Brakes
Mundy's Heating & Air
Murphy Medical Center
Phoenix Supported Living
Salon 64
Sioux Tools
Stanley Furniture
Taco Bell
Town of Murphy
Valley View Care Center
Wal-Mart
10/14/08
Congressman Heath Shuler released the following statement while visiting Industrial Opportunities, Inc.
3/31/08
IOI launches new web-site.
3/1/10
View the new Industrial Opportunities video.
|
|
Customer Support:
If you have a question about any of our products or services please call
us at (828) 321-4754 or
email us.
Custom Services:
We offer many types of contract sewing and other custom services to fit
your needs. Please call
(828) 321-4754 |
|
|
 |
Staff |
|
Industrial Opportunities, Inc. is a non-profit
corporation governed by a board of directors.
The board meets quarterly and receives interim
reports from the president. The President has
been given authority to manage the day-to-day
operations by the board.
|
| |
| |
Officers |
|
| |
Randy Wiggins
Business Development
Appalachian Bank
Chairman
Murphy, NC
|
Lee Ferguson
Manager
Coleman Cable
Vice Chairman
Murphy, NC
|
Tom O'Brien
Industrial Opportunities, Inc.
President
Andrews, NC
|
Mary Sue Cook
Industrial Opportunities, Inc.
Secretary
Andrews, NC
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
I.O.I. recognizes the need to have representation on its governing body from a broad cross-section of the
community, representing various community interests. This is taken into consideration when recruiting new
members for the Board of Directors.
Presenting the occupational array is as follows:
|
| |
| |
Members |
|
| |
Howard Brown
Owner/General Manager
C.R. Brown Enterprise
Andrews, NC
|
Jeff Cabe
Real Estate Broker
Robbinsville, NC
|
Linda Ditmore
General Manger & Owner
Microtel
Robbinsville, NC
|
Dr. Patricia Slagle
Career Counselor/Tutor
Hayesville, NC
|
| |
John Snow III
Assistant Vice President
Nantahala Bank
Murphy, NC
|
Glenn Tatum, Jr.
Retired Dentist
Andrews, NC
|
Bill Vespasian
Chief Financial Officer
Tri-County Community College
Murphy NC
|
Paul Worley
Director Business Outreach Services
Tri-County Community College
Murphy, NC
|
| |
Fannie Watson
Social Worker
Hayesville, NC
|
Matt Rogers
Principal
Hayesville High School
Hayesville, NC
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
You
can contact our Board of Directors by emailing
boardofdirectors@industrialopportunities.com
|
|
Staff
|
Tom O'Brien, President/CEO,
operates and manages the total programs of operations; this includes operating a manufacturing business
to provide work and appropriate conditions to prepare clients with disabilities, disadvantaged or
displaced workers for employment or vocational placement.
Tom has been with IOI since 1974. He has a BS/BA degree in sociology and has been President of IOI since
1980. Tom has extensive knowledge and experience in developing budgets and management. He has an
extensive repertoire with community leaders, government officials and other similar non-profits
organizations. He has served on the Economic Development Board of Cherokee County since 1999 as
chairman. He serves on the Board of Murphy Medical Center since 1986 and the Cherokee Chamber of
Commerce. MARC President -Elect 2009-2011.
|
| |
Harry Baughn, Vice President/Marketing,
oversees the Elastic Products Division and second in command at Industrial Opportunities, Inc.
Harry has been with IOI since 1977. He has a BS degree in psychology and sociology. He has been
vice-president and marketing representative since 1979 prior to that promotion Harry was the production
manager. He has an excellent repertoire nationwide with companies including: Wal-Mart, Cabelas, Bass Pro
Shops, Dick's Sporting Goods, Hodgman, Gander Mountain, Department of Defense, just of name a few of
Elastic Products top customers. Harry attends trade shows and has the personality to converse with
people and work with them in achieving customer satisfaction. He has the ability to present information
to top management, public groups and/or Board of Directors.
|
| |
Roger Holloway, Chief Financial Officer,
is responsible for Financial Statements, budgets, 401K Administrator and all banking activity.
Roger has been employed with IOI since 2005, but has over 25 years of
manufacturing experience acquired from Emerson Electric, Stanley Furniture and CR Brown Enterprises. He
also has 3 years of additional non-profit government experience as Cherokee County Finance Officer. Most
positions have been in his strength of accounting and finance, but he has held other positions such as
Operations Manager, Superintendent and Plant Manager. Roger experience has been very valuable in the
analysis of product costing and the degree of detail of analyzing situations has been most beneficial to
the direction and goals of the future growth of IOI. He earned a BSBA from Western Carolina University
in 1980 concentrating in Accounting and Finance.
|
| |
Joe Gibson, Operations Manager,
is responsible for production operations.
Since 2007, Joe has been responsible for all manufacturing activities (costing, line development,
equipment, quality, cost, delivery). Military and commercial cut sewing and finishing contracts and
controlled environment for medical devices production.
He has a degree in Business Administration - Entrepreneurial from Western Carolina University, Cullowhee,
North Carolina. While going to school he also worked as a Special Project Manager at IOI. He was
responsible for costing out new lines for military products, Government contracts and for purchasing
equipment and setting up and starting the new products.
Joe has earlier experience as Plant Manager at VF Jeanswear, Andrews, NC; Resident and Area Engineer,
Levi Strauss & Company, Rock Island, TN; and Plant Manager at Washington Manufacturing Company, Milan
Shirt Plant.
|
| |
Shannin West, Human Resources Manager
Shannin has been with IOI since 2002. Prior to employment with IOI, Shannin worked at District Memorial
Hospital for 12 years as the business office coordinator. She graduated from Mars Hill College in 1989
with a BS in mathematics and she is also certified in secondary education. Shannin plans and carries out
policies relating to phases of personnel activity. Recruits, interviews, and selects employees to fill
vacant positions. Plans and conducts new employee orientation to foster positive attitude toward company
goals. Maintains record of insurance coverage, pension plan, and personnel transactions, such as hires,
promotions, transfers, and terminations. Investigates accidents and prepares reports for insurance carrier.
Conducts wage survey within labor market to determine competitive wage rate. Meets with supervisors to
resolve personnel issues. Writes separation notices for employees separating with cause and conducts exit
interviews to determine reasons behind separations. May keep records of hired employees characteristics
for government reporting purposes. Performs varied and highly responsible administrative work. Requires
extensive knowledge of the organization and programs. Relieves President of administrative details and
office management functions. Assists with Board of Director's functions, editing the newsletter, and
public relations.
|
| |
Susie Cook, Quality Manager,
is responsible for maintaining the Commercial Sewing/Production Quality Management system.
Susie has been with IOI since 1986. She began as secretary and later was promoted to the Administrative
Assistant/Human Resource. Susie wrote the initial IOI Employee Handbook, the Affirmative Action Plan,
maintained personnel records, handled insurance and benefits for employees, prepared Board reports and
acted as the government contract representative. She has been involved since 1993 with purchasing,
quality, contract reviews, writing work instructions per drawings and specifications and record retention
of government contract orders. She has been Quality Manager since 2002.
|
| |
Phyllis Burke, MCMP Quality Assurance Manager,
is responsible for maintaining the Quality system over the MCMP Division.
Phyllis has been employed with IOI since 2006, and has over 15 years previous
manufacturing experience. Work history includes purchasing, inventory control and shipping/receiving
clerk, customer service, production and quality assurance. Phyllis has an associate's degree from
Southwestern Community College.
|
| |
Lynne Manning, Director of Rehabilitation Services.
Plans and implements vocational evaluation including assessment of physical, mental, emotional abilities,
work limitations and work tolerance.
Duties include testing, evaluating performance, reviewing pre-admission data and developing a written
evaluation summary for counselors, psychologists, social workers and others.
Assesses basic skills and vocational potential by observing situational work tasks and job try-out
evaluations.
Reviews psychological and medical records to determine clients' needs upon entry to the evaluation program.
Is responsible for recommendations for follow-up after assessment gained from tests and work samples.
Monitors the waiting list.
Is responsible for supervision of rehabilitation staff.
Provides staff training and team building.
Assigns responsible for training or re-training of clients on tasks, new procedures and new machines.
Capable of performing time studies
Lynne has been with IOI since 1989. Lynne has a degree in therapeutic recreation, MA in agency counseling.
Rehabilitation services are the soul of IOI and the focus for our company's existence. While overseeing
the rehabilitation program, Lynne and her staff has achieved job placements in competitive employment
even with the unemployment rate being 11% and daily enrollment has grown from 55 people to 100 adults
with disabilities receiving services. Lynne was been involved in achieving accreditation from CARF, the
Rehabilitation Accreditation Commission for the past twelve years.
|
| |
Dennis Myers, Work Adjustment Coordinator.
Program Manager for all work adjustment services provided on an individualized structured and planned
basis for the purpose of developing and maintaining those individual capacities necessary for the pursuit
of an optimal level of vocational development.
Utilizes current or appropriate employment techniques to prepare the development or acquisition of
physical capacities, psychomotor skills, knowledge of work practices and other work re-related skills for
clients receiving services.
Maintains contact with support people such as families, mental health services, social services,
employment security services, probation officers, etc.
Holds formal and informal conference and counseling sessions.
Works with vocational rehabilitation counselor regarding placement of clients in competitive employment
and follow-up.
Works to assure compliance with OSHA laws and requirements.
Capable of performing time studies
Dennis has been with IOI since 1990. Dennis has a BS degree in mathematics. Since being at IOI Dennis
has overseen a successful work adjustment program. Has serves as a liaison between IOI and MGM Brakes
who currently is our number four customer. Dennis has worked on preparing quotes for potential contract
work and has participated in Elastic Products marketing activities on an as needed basis.
|
| |
Chris West, Maintenance Manager,
is responsible for overall maintenance of facility and machinery.
Chris has been with IOI since 2003. Prior to being promoted to Maintenance Manger, Chris was hired as
Machine Maintenance Supervisor. He has over 20 years in mechanical and maintenance experience. Chris'
responsibilities also include parts inventory, overseeing electrical, heating/cooling units, and
calibrations for MCMP division. He has attended numerous continuing education training and re-certification
workshops throughout his employment at IOI.
|
| |
Jim Maennle, Project Manager, Jamestown/NISH,
provides technical training to adults with disabilities, supervisors IOI employees in a production setting
and ensures production schedules.
Jim has been with IOI since 1992. He began as a job coach in the North Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation
Program at IOI. Jim worked directly with adults with disabilities on job training both at IOI and at a
competitive employment site. His main job responsibility was job training and job placement. He has been
acting as project manager of the Government Contract Division since 1999. During the past year the
Department of Defense was IOI's #1 customer with 60% of IOI's sales.
|
| |
Darlene Lackey, Floor Supervisor.
Directly supervises employees in the job training programs in sewing and assembly environment.
Ensures production deadlines are met according to schedule.
Maintains workflow and assists with equipment and jig set-ups.
Writes work tasks and performs work inspections.
Follows product design and specification sheets for each style as provided by the quality control manager.
Darlene came to IOI in 2003 with over 20 years of experience from the V.F. Jeanswear facility.
|
| |
Tony Pace, Special Projects Coordinator.
Tony has been employed since 2006 with IOI but has over 12 years of
manufacturing experience acquired from Levi Strauss & Company and the Lee Company and IOI. Tony assists
with new potential products from the introduction phase, costing, implementing objectives, formulating
procedures, and planning for successful completion of a project in the manufacturing setting. Tony also
works with the automated cutting and operates computer-aided design (Accu-Mark) to do resizing or modify
designs to produce patterns. Tony coordinates research and implementation of process improvements. Tony
has been a valuable asset in computing costing factors and preparing estimates used for management
purposes such as planning, organizing and scheduling work and preparing bids for potential projects
beneficial to future growth of IOI. He earned an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Tri-County
Community College in 2006.
|
| |
Jeanette O'Dell, Project Manager/Cutting.
Jeanette has been employed since 2003 with IOI. She has over 30 years of valuable
manufacturing experience acquired from Owenby's Mfg., Peachtree Indus., Lee Co., and IOI. Jeanette's
experience in a variety of positions with each company includes: sewing machine operator, trainer,
supervisor, gerber cutter, and project manager. Jeanette does the costing of new products as well as
most samples for the products costed; along with the time studies for all products in production.
Jeanette is the manager for the automated cutting (Gerber) department, web cut department, and oversees
the computer aided design (Accu-Mark) activities. She is also part of the internal audit team and a member
of the safety committee here at IOI. Jeanette earned her Associate Degree in Business Administration from
Tri-County College in 2003.
|
| |
| |
|
Our goal is "People Working for a Better Future with quality products, services and customer satisfaction."
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
