Our leaders are the kind of people you want setting the direction and driving advanced manufacturing, innovative research and development, production, marketing, sales, transportation and logistics, and customer service. They are the people who set the direction for the entire polyurethane industry and all the many industries that use our foam products. We’re exceptionally proud of the folks who keep us growing responsibly as we Build America.
Chip Holton has served as the fifth president of NCFI Polyurethanes since the organization’s founding in 1964. Under Holton’s leadership over the past decade, NCFI has experienced significant growth and success.
Chip is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with a degree in engineering and served as an officer in the U.S. Army before entering the corporate world. He describes his leadership style as being a direct result of his military education and experience, and his time at GE as the foundation for leading people and processes.
Chip’s corporate career began at Alcatel’s (now Alcatel-Lucent) fiber optics division, where he served in various roles from line supervisor to plant manager. He then joined GE Plastics in 2003 as the Southeast Region Operations Manager, overseeing logistics, distribution, and manufacturing for up to 13 facilities. Chip credits his time at GE for providing him a “very process-oriented approach to achieve a desired outcome.”
Prior to joining NCFI, Chip served as Vice President of U.S. Operations for the Swiss company Jacob Holm Industries, a leading manufacturer of nonwoven roll goods. It was at Jacob Holm where he first connected with NCFI’s parent company, Barnhardt, leading to Chip’s transition to NCFI as Director of Operations in 2012 and then President in 2014.
Since becoming President, Chip has steered NCFI towards operational excellence, manufacturing safety and efficiency, and national expansion. Under his leadership, NCFI opened a new, technologically advanced manufacturing facility in Texas, positioning the company as a nimble, lean, and fast-moving organization.
Chip says his commitment is to continue NCFI’s well-earned reputation as a U.S. company that operates with the utmost integrity; “providing employees with a positive and enabling work environment, where they can thrive and support their families.”
In addition to his role at NCFI, he has served as the President of the Polyurethane Foam Association for 6 years.
Jud Brown is a focused professional leading the purchasing and administration teams at NCFI. With over 25 years of procurement experience, Jud plays a pivotal role in shaping NCFI’s success.
After a decade serving as controller/treasurer in the textile industry, Jud joined NCFI in 1998. Since then, he has held various key positions within the organization, including:
In 2007, Jud was appointed EVP, where he continues to help drive strategic initiatives in pursuit of operational excellence. He oversees planning and executing purchasing strategies, manages supplier contracts, budgeting, and forecasting.
Jud’s commitment to building long-term relationships with suppliers and business managers has been instrumental in maintaining a consistent and high-quality supply chain. His daily mission is clear: “To make NCFI Polyurethanes the best-in-class polyurethane foam systems house.”
Jud holds a BS in accounting from Guilford College.
Blandine Carton is a global professional and results-oriented director of operations with over 24 years of experience in the nonwovens and polyurethane industry in France and the US. Throughout her career, Blandine has consistently implemented improvements to drive quality and efficiency, while fostering the development of high-performing teams in a safe work environment.
Blandine’s leadership extends beyond production lines. She champions a culture of continuous improvement, which is evident in her successful management of the project to build NCFI’s new manufacturing plant in Houston which has been called “the most advanced polyurethane system plant in the US.” This greenfield project resulted in a doubling of production and sales within a year.
Blandine recognizes the value of empowering her teams. She has a proven track record of developing and training associates in both France and the US, expanding their knowledge and creating new career opportunities. Her experience commissioning and managing production lines produces consistent year-over-year productivity gains while maintaining the highest quality standards.
Blandine holds an M.S. degree in advanced textile engineering.
Blandine’s achievements have been acknowledged by NC State University, who featured her in a March 2024 article on their website highlighting Women in Leadership.
Mitch Clifton is an accomplished executive with a 27-year proven track record of driving innovation and growth in the construction products industry. As the Executive Vice President of NCFI Construction Products, he has been instrumental in reshaping the company’s approach to marketing, communication, and sales strategy. His leadership has fostered enduring relationships, expanded distribution, and driven sustained organic growth.
Believing in foresight and innovation, Mitch uses these principles to build a clear and reimagined way to communicate, collaborate, and share a consistent marketing message and strategy for lasting sales relationships. His focus on critical decision-making drives sustained organic growth while helping teams succeed and achieve.
With extensive experience at NCFI, Mitch’s journey in the industry began at a young age. He progressively advanced through various roles, including plant operations, technical services, sales, and management. This comprehensive immersive experience has equipped him with invaluable insights into the intricacies of the business and a deep understanding of its culture and operations.
Mitch’s dedication to excellence extends beyond his organization. He has served as a board member of prominent industry associations, including the Spray Polyurethane Foam Association (SPFA) and the Reflective Roof Coating Institute (RRCI). Leveraging his expertise, he contributes to the advancement of industry standards and best practices. He has been featured as a thought leader in publications like Spray Foam magazine, Building Design and Construction, Commercial Construction and Renovation, Retrofit, Roofing Contractor, Rubber News, and Urethanes Technology International.
Mitch holds a BA degree in business administration from Campbell University and MBA from High Point University.
Joshua Burcaw boasts an illustrious 28-year career marked by a profound dedication to industry advancement and team empowerment. His journey began in 1996, during college breaks, when he immersed himself in the world of concrete lifting and stabilization under the tutelage of the original patent holder of the technology. From the humble beginnings of sweeping floors and drilling holes, Josh swiftly ascended the ranks, evolving into roles ranging from lead-man to CEO over the span of his tenure.
With a comprehensive understanding of the business landscape, Josh has been intricately involved in every facet of operations, from spearheading projects encompassing diverse scales, from residential to expansive department of transportation ventures, to steering overarching strategic initiatives encompassing business management, finance, M&A, licensing, marketing, and strategic planning.
Josh’s overarching goal is to cultivate the preeminent “team” within the industry while positioning his organization as the foremost manufacturer of geotechnical chemicals in North America. Reflecting on the past five years, he views the team’s achievements as a testament to their collective talent. However, fueled by an appetite for progress, Josh has set his division’s goal to control over 75% of the geotechnical chemical market.
A true trailblazer within the realm of geotechnical solutions, Josh regards himself as one of the pioneering figures in the U.S. industry. His enduring passion for the field, coupled with his extensive tenure, distinguishes him as a rare executive who continues to shape and elevate the industry’s trajectory, reaffirming his status as a driving force behind its evolution and growth.
Will Jarrell has a distinguished 31-year career at NCFI. He has extensive experience in various roles including Technical Service, Outside Sales, and Sales Management.
Throughout his career, Will has consistently demonstrated a customer-centric approach, prioritizing the needs and goals of the customer along with the quality of the product and delivery. Will says his guiding principle is, “Always treat the customer as you would want to be treated and always do what is right.”
Will’s leadership and collaborative efforts with the CFP Division Team have been instrumental in propelling NCFI’s OEM business to an industry leader in the urethane systems market.
Will holds a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and MBA from the Bryan School of Business at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
Todd Wishneski is recognized as a major player in the urethanes industry. His contributions have been key to the development of nearly a dozen patents, a testament to his innovative spirit and commitment to progress. He says his philosophy about business stems from his belief “there is always a solution” waiting to be discovered.
Todd says his early college experience at U. Conn. using innovative thinking and modification of an existing process to solve a unique engineering challenge ignited his passion for working with polyurethanes. He remains deeply involved in the industry as a thought leader and practitioner.
With an impressive 37 years of experience in the polyurethane field, Todd has explored nearly every facet of the industry. His journey includes:
Todd holds a BS degree in mechanical engineer/material science from the University of Connecticut and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University.
John Zomer is a well-trained and experienced business development professional with over 40 years of experience in the chemical industry. He has a deep understanding of the polyester, coatings, polystyrene, and polyurethane markets, and has spent the past 28 years specifically focused on the specialty polyurethanes market.
Throughout his career, John has held various operational, sales, and business management/development roles. He has also been involved in acquisition integration, all with a focus on providing exceptional customer service.
John says his business philosophy, like his philosophy for living, is centered around dedication and passion. He believes in consistently demonstrating a positive attitude, following through on commitments, and putting in extra effort until the job is done as well as it can be done.
John holds a BS degree in business and management and MBA from University of Redlands.
Mike has nearly 20 years of experience in the polyurethane manufacturing industry, which makes him one of the industry’s leading voices. He is passionate about fostering a people-centered work environment while simultaneously driving efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement across the organization.
Mike is recognized for promoting a culture of responsiveness and adaptability within operations. This has allowed NCFI to effectively respond to evolving customer needs, market trends, and competitive pressures.
He played a pivotal role in designing and leading the construction of NCFI’s Houston manufacturing plant, which is now considered their flagship facility. As part of a two-person team, Mike’s responsibilities included coordinating and supporting engineering efforts, managing project timelines and resources, and making critical decisions during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. His complementary skillset and collaborative approach significantly contributed to the project’s success.
Mike holds a BS degree in psychology and an MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Danny Lineberry is a safety professional with 25 years of experience in Environmental, Safety, and Health (EHS). As Director of EHS, Danny leads a team dedicated to fostering a safe and environmentally friendly work environment across all NCFI locations nationwide.
Danny is passionate about empowering his team to achieve industry-leading safety practices. He achieves this through leadership, coaching, and ensuring work processes comply with the best practices in manufacturing and chemical safety.
Danny is a Board-Certified Safety Professional (CHST), and a Federal OSHA Manager of Environmental Safety and Health (MESH). Additionally, he is an OSHA-authorized trainer for both 10 and 30-hour outreach training programs. His expertise encompasses a wide range of areas including:
Danny is committed to continuous improvement within the EHS department. He oversees worker’s compensation investigations, fire, and life safety programs, and facilitates corrective actions to prevent future incidents. He champions Six Sigma and productivity programs at all NCFI locations.
Danny is a member of the National Association of Safety Professionals (NASP), demonstrating his dedication to the profession and staying abreast of industry developments.
He holds a B.S. degree in environmental safety and health.
While Ben has been in accounting management roles for 17 years, he is new to NCFI joining in late 2023. Ben’s career has taken him from public accounting to government finance then private industry corporate accounting.
Ben says his business philosophy may be summed up as “process improvement through utilizing technology and tools by empowering employees.” He is focused on utilizing existing or new technology to improve workflows and it is helping NCFI grow and prosper.
Ben holds a BSBA in accounting and MSA degree from Appalachian State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Local Government Finance Officer (CLGFO).