Jan O’Regan
Lifetime Service Award
2023
Tony Fragnito, INDA President, presents the 2023 INDA Lifetime Service Award to Jan O’Regan, Principal, O’Regan Consulting.
SELECTED ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Built new business in global markets from ground up including market analysis, technical development, market appeal, strategy and communications. Achieved market share of more than 10% in 15 years.
- Led product line extensions beyond core technology for multiple companies. Results led to acquisitions.
- Developed and implemented first global branding strategy through collaboration with international marketing team.
- Established marketing programs that 15 years later are still utilized.
- Developed global distribution partnerships for small start-up, opening doors for international as well as domestic market expansion.
- Promoted nonwovens industry development through leadership of INDA World of Wipes committee for 5 years, participation on several other conference planning committees and sharing research findings at conferences.
- Supported the Nonwovens Institute through participation as an industrial advisor and executive board member.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
O’REGAN CONSULTING, Chapel Hill, NC 2022 – Present
- Guiding strategic and business development planning across diverse service and manufacturing industries.
COTTON INCORPORATED, Cary, NC 2004 – 2022
Global, non-profit organization dedicated to research and marketing across all aspects of cotton from seeds through sustainability.
Director, Nonwovens Marketing:
- Led technical, marketing and economic analysis to justify the opportunity for cotton in the nonwovens market.
- Conducted market and technical analyses to introduce the value of cotton in wet wipes to supply chain partners around the world.
- Expanded cotton in nonwovens beyond wipes feminine hygiene, baby diapers, adult care and skin care applications with partner companies in the US, Europe, Asia and South America.
- Grew to more than 10% market share of global staple fiber nonwovens business over 15 years.
- Partnered in innovation development with several global market leaders in baby care products.
- Led innovation team in developing 3D printed and injection molded products containing cotton.
- Spoke at conferences & trade shows 4 – 5 times per year, sharing new research findings.
- Led World of Wipes Conference committee in program development and execution for 5 years.
ALLASSO INDUSTRIES, Raleigh, NC 2004
Technology start-up at NC State commercializing imaging technology for quality control and product development of
nonwoven textiles.
Consultant on Commercialization Project: 10 months
- Project: Develop a plan for commercializing new technology
- Result: Through leveraging industry partnerships with companies specialized in equipment for R&D and production, 6 technology suppliers, domestic and global, sought to provide market distribution for Allasso’s imaging technology.
CORMETECH, INC. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGIES, Durham, NC 2001 – 2003
Joint equity company owned by Corning Incorporated and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. A leader in the development and manufacture of Selective Catalytic Reduction material for control of nitrogen oxides from power plants, refineries and other stationary sources.
Senior Market Research Analyst
- Launched marketing systems for an engineering driven organization.
- Market analysis: Developed databases for quantitatively measuring and tracking volume potential and share in key business segments.
- Research: Provided research for strategic planning, new business development and sales strategies.
- Customer Satisfaction: Led Customer Satisfaction Survey team. Results became the basis for managerial goals and objectives.
Communications:
- Standardized company image and rolled out unified image and communications programs to build awareness and recognition.
- Coordinated development of B2B marketing communications.
- Lead participation in trade shows, conferences and user groups, 24 per year.
FREUDENBERG NONWOVENS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, Durham, NC 1977 – 1989 | 1991 – 2001
Marketing Director, Durham, NC
- Global Marketing:
- Collaborated with European and Asian colleagues to develop company’s first global image and branding campaign. Five years later, campaign was still active and brand achieved global recognition.
- Collaborated with international colleagues on development of company’s first global product range and global marketing communications structure.
- North American Product Line:
- Broadened product line beyond core manufacturing technologies to gain share and volume in the apparel industry.
- Sales exceeded budget by year three.
- Responsible for North American sales meetings (5 days, 120 people) and participation in trade shows.
- Led annual strategic planning for North America and coordination with global colleagues on global strategy.
Market Research Manager
- Responsible for quantitative and qualitative research to support top management strategies and planning.
- Established first competitive analysis database system.
- Built quantitative model for tracking market share in North America.
- Conducted customer satisfaction survey and non-customer survey. Structure used again two years later.
Business Development and Marketing Nonwovens for Apparel and Consumer Product Markets
O’REGAN MARKETING INC., Redondo Beach, CA 1991 – 1993
- Served as west coast independent contractor for MRCA Corp. (see below)
- Grew MRCA’s business 30% in 24 months.
MRCA CORP., Stamford, CT 1989 – 1991
Senior Account Executive – Consumer Market Research
- Responsible for business development of syndicated and custom consumer market research with apparel, textile, nonwoven and retail clients.
- Business doubled in two years
EDUCATION
- MBA, Marketing, Stern Graduate School of Business, New York University, cum laude
- BS, Textiles and Business, Penn State, summa cum laude
- Executive Education, Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern University
