EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND OF MANUEL GAETAN - RIVERA
1958 Bachelor in Management Engineering - Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
1970 Master in Industrial Engineering - Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH
1983 Doctor of Philosophy, Management Engineering - Columbia Pacific University, San Rafael, CA
HONORS, AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
Who's Who in the South & Southwest, 1976-1977 USA Edition
JOURNALISM: The Atrium Award,
"...for outstanding journalism achievement in reporting for his article 'Going for the Gold in 807/CBI' published in BOBBIN magazine, one of the 28 publications recognized nationwide." University of Georgia College of Journalism & Mass Communications, Atlanta, GA. June 1988
ENGINEERING: Premio Internazionalle Tecnica della Confezione
"...for his significant contribution to the development of technical innovations in the clothing industry through both his exceptional engineering background and his skillful ability to promote his field.” Tecnica della Confezione Magazine Milan, Italy, June 1989
Who's Who in World Clothing Equipment Industry - Japan Sewing News International Magazine, Tokyo, Japan, May 1993
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP: The Lemkin Medal
" …in recognition of exceptional service to the Institute and the industry in the clothing and footwear sectors." The Textile Institute, Manchester, England, November 1997
SIGNIFICANT PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Presided over The Bobbin Group, which for many years presented The BOBBIN SHOW/AAMA Convention in Atlanta, GA. at the time when it was the largest annual trade show for the Sewn Products Industry in the world.
Was also the publisher of the BOBBIN magazine; at the time when it was the largest and most respected trade journal for the Sewn Products Industry and La Bobina, its Spanish version.
The 1995 Bobbin Shown held in conjunction with the then American Apparel Manufacturers' Association (AAMA) Convention occupied all 6 halls of the Georgia World Congress Center. Its footprint was nearly 430, 000 net square feet with an attendance of about 30,000 participants. There had never been a Bobbin Show that size nor has it ever been bested.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
Licensed Professional Engineer in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the State of Ohio.
LEADERSHIP
President of Phi Iota Alpha fraternity in college - 1957
Retired with the rank of Captain from the US Army Reserve - 1970
President of the Five Points Rotary Club – 1982/83
Rotary International – District Secretary – District 7770 – 1986/87
President of the Magnolia Hall Homeowners Association –- 2001
BOARDS:
Superior Uniform Group, Inc. (AMEX), Outside Director, Member of the Ethics and Corporate Governance Committees
Midlands Technical College, Former Education Foundation Trustee
University of South Carolina College of Mass Communications and Library Science Partnership - Past Chairman
University of South Carolina, Business Partnership Foundation Trustee and Chairman of its Audit Committee
International Business Advisory Council (USC’s Moore School of Business), Chairman
South Carolina Philharmonic Board of Directors, Former Secretary
Columbia World Affairs Council, Former Chairman
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – Former member of RPI's School of Engineering Advisory Board. Co-Chairman of RPI's 50th class reunion organizing committee
Hispanic Connections, Inc. - Board Advisor
SC Hispanic Leadership Council – Co-Founder and Board member.
Immigration Community Access Point (ICAP) – Former Board Member Board of Trustees of the National Organization of Phi Iota Alpha - currently
Board of Trustees - The Columbia Camera Club - currently Board of Directors - Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity - currently
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
Principles of Industrial Engineering — Midlands Technical College, 1973
Apparel Fundamental for Textile Manufacturers, Introductory Lecture North Carolina State University, 1977-1979
Adjunct Professor, Department of Textiles & Apparel Management, College of Textiles, NC State University from 1994 - 1998.
Adult Sunday school teacher, 1970 -1985, 2004 - currently
Digital Photography - Midlands Technical College, Since 2003 to the present
Digital Photo Lab - Midlands Technical College, 2006 to the present
Adjunct Professor USC's College of Journalism Introduction to Visual Communications, , Summer 2006, 2007 and 2008
LECTURES & SEMINARS
Have lectured and organized seminars for the following institutions of higher learning at:
Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science
Fashion Institute of Technology
North Carolina State University
Colorado State University
University of Wisconsin at Stout
Cambridge University (UK)
Hong Kong Polytechnic
Have presented papers and seminars in Asia, Europe, USA, Africa and Latin America
Also, have provided consulting assistance and/or presented major technical reports to the:
Organization of American States - Dominican Republic
Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce - Barbados
American Apparel Manufacturers Association, USA (Three times) Maui, Hawaii; New York City, NY and Nashville, TN
Clothing and Footwear Institute - Harrogate, England
Quebec Apparel Productivity Center - Quebec
South African Clothing Institute - Capetown, South Africa
International Apparel Federation - (Twice) Berlin, Germany & San Diego, CA
Hong Kong Productivity Council (Three times; twice as keynote speaker) - Hong Kong
ExpoCostura Trade Show - Mexico City (Three times)
Camara de la Indumentaria - Buenos Aires, Argentina
Central American Apparel Sourcing Show - Guatemala, Central America CATECO - San Jose, CR USC's Daniel Management Center - Charlotte, NC Chamber of Commerce
Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, Columbia, SC
Charleston Chamber of Commerce, Charleston, SC
SCANA , Columbia, SC
The Educational Summit, North Charleston, SC
In addition, Manuel Gaetan has worked in providing consultancy work with Booz-Allen Hamilton - Chicago IL in Minnesota and with Werner Management Consultants - New York, NY in Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica.
Dr. Gaetan is sought after speaker who covers a variety of subjects based on his professional experience. For TESTIMONIALS on lectures, speeches, seminars or presentations, please contact us.