Dalton — J&J Industries, a privately-held leading manufacturer of commercial carpet, is pleased to announce the recent appointment of three new associates to the company.
Keith Gray, director of product innovation, joined the company in December to oversee the development of new product concepts. Gray is also responsible for conducting market specific research and developing business strategies in the institutional customer segments.
Gray joined the company following almost three years as director, technical marketing for The Mohawk Group and eleven years at InterfaceFLOR serving as both Director of Innovation and Director of Research. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Louisiana College and a Master of Science degree in Polymer Science and Engineering from The University of Southern Mississippi. He holds more than 20 patents for engineering plastics, industrial textiles, auto passenger restraints, floor coverings and related systems. Gray resides in Marietta, Georgia with his wife, Carol. He has two children – Stuart, who lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and Alison who lives in Marietta, Georgia.
Russ DeLozier, director of sustainability, comes to J&J Industries with a background in Chemical Engineering and Polymer Science. DeLozier will manage all ongoing J&J Industries sustainable initiatives. He will also lead research programs to facilitate the development of new environmental directives.
DeLozier started his career at Dow Chemical in Louisiana where he played a critical role in the startup and operation of various types of plastic manufacturing including nylons, styrene block copolymers, polyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene. After leaving Dow, he joined Shaw Industries where he held a variety of positions with the most recent one being Manager of Materials Reclamation. DeLozier is actively involved in the Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) and has served as a board member since 2006. He lives in Dalton, Georgia with his wife Kirby and three children.
Gregg Hayes, vice president of strategic sales, joined J&J Industries in March. Hayes will be responsible for directing and leading the strategic accounts initiatives for the J+J/Invision brand. His responsibilities also include working to define and implement strategies focused on Government (GSA) and other state contract business.
Hayes comes to J+J/ Invision with 36 years experience in the commercial carpet industry. He was most recently senior vice president of sales for Blue Ridge Industries. Prior to joining Blue Ridge, he worked for Shaw Contract from 1975 to 1998. He successfully managed and led various sales regions as well as Shaw Contract Flooring locations in the southeast and southwest. Hayes and his wife Cathy live in Dalton, and their three children Lele, Tessa, and Henley reside in the northwest Georgia area.