Jim Coleman

President and CEO, American Textile History Museum

James “Jim” Coleman, lifelong resident of New England began his long and esteemed textile career in 1973 at Forté Cashmere Company in Woonsocket, RI as a production intern. As the business grew both domestically and internationally, Coleman worked his way up mastering a variety of company functions, ultimately becoming President and CEO.

During his time at Forte, Coleman accumulated valuable business operations and international trade skills and experience. Coleman gathered technical expertise in the areas of wool and specialty fiber scouring, cashmere and specialty fiber de-hairing and combing, woolen and worsted spinning, knowledge of knitting, weaving as well as garment making.

His responsibilities regularly took him to the textile centers of Italy, UK, Germany and France as well as supply sources in Russia, Hungary, Czech Republic and other East Europe countries. Coleman traveled to China and Mongolia more than 50 times since these countries controlled more than 85% of the world’s cashmere supply. Coleman established joint venture projects in both China and Mongolia and was a member of the Board of Directors of the US/Mongolia Business Council.

An expert in cashmere and other natural fibers including wool, he has been a long-time member of the National Textile Association and currently serves as technical consultant to the Boston, MA based Cashmere & Camel Hair Manufacturers Institute (CCMI). He spoke as an expert panel member before the Federal Trade Commission on garment mislabeling. Coleman holds a degree in Business Management from Boston College. He resides in Holliston, MA with his wife Marguerite (Peggy), a registered nurse and together they have raised four children, Sarah, Michael, Meghan and Andrew.