John M Sullivan Jr

The current president of American Silk Mills, John Sullivan Jr., is the grandson of Paolino Gerli, who consolidated the business in the United States in the early 20th century. Sullivan is the sixth generation to direct Gerli’s operations. American Silk Mills is a vertically integrated company with a plant in Plains, Pa., where it produces yarns and weaves fabrics. American Silk Mills, whose own history with silk dates back to its founding in 1896, was acquired by Gerli & Co. in the late 1960s and merged in the 1970s with Cheney Bros., another venerable American institution famous for weaving silks and velvets. Mr. Sullivan has served as President of American Silk Mills Corp. since 1985, and as President of Gerli & Co., Inc. since 1987. From 1987 to 1991, Mr. Sullivan served as President of Cheney Brothers Inc. Prior to that, he served as Executive Vice President (Merchandising, Marketing & Sales) of Gerli & Co., Inc. from 1984 to 1987. Prior to that, Mr. Sullivan served as President of A.H. Rice Company Inc., Pittsfield, Massachusetts from 1982 to 1989, as Vice President of Marketing and Sales of Gerli & Co., Inc. from 1979-1982, and as Sales Manager of American Silk Mills Corp. from 1974 to 1979.