the Sock Guys
Mark Kent, President/CEO
Mark is President & CEO of Kentwool…as well as the Chief Sock Rocker for the World’s Best Golf Sock. Talk about having manufacturing in your blood…whew! Mark is the 6th generation of Kent’s to be at the helm of Kentwool Manufacturing. There’s been one common thread, if you will, over that time: Quality.
Mark’s a 20+ year veteran at Kentwool—Chairman since 1993. He has served on numerous textile industry boards and strategic committees, including: the American Textile Export Company (Amtec), the American Textile Manufacturers Institute, the American Yarn Spinners Association, and the J. E. Sirrine Textile Foundation. In 1987, he also completed the International Program of the Australian Wool Corporation. If Mark wasn’t busy enough, he is also President of Greenville, South Carolina-based Kent Worldwide and Kent Worldwide Development. Beyond his executive leadership responsibilities, Kent has been extremely active in South Carolina manufacturing, business, economic development and philanthropic circles. He has served on the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, the Greater Greenville Chamber of Commerce, the South Carolina Board of Health and Environmental Control, and the American Red Cross Upstate SC Chapter. He is a past recipient of signature honors, including the State of South Carolina Philos Award, the American Red Cross Southeastern Volunteer of the Year, and the Liberty Fellow Selection within the national program of the Henry Crown Fellowship of the Aspen Institute.
A native of Philadelphia, Kent is a 1985 graduate of Wake Forest University and a 1986 graduate of Clemson University’s School of Textiles.
Kent Barber, Sales Manager
Kent’s passion and industry are apparent at first glance. He has a tireless work ethic and really hit the ground running—or in golf terms: swinging from the first tee. His primary job is to drive sales. And the main thing you need to know about Kent is that he is "all about” the World’s Best Golf Sock. There’s nothing he’d rather talk about (aside from football, perhaps). Kent graduated in 2007 from Auburn University’s School of Business with a degree in Marketing. But his education was just beginning. After a brief stint (vacation?) on the Island of St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., Kent started working with KENTWOOL in May 2008. To learn the manufacturing business "from the ground up,” he worked throughout the manufacturing plant—in every division—to develop a universal understanding of the manufacturing process. In 2008-09, he attended Clemson University’s Materials, Sciences, and Engineering program. And in spring 2009, he spent the majority of his time driving up to Hickory, NC—to the Hosiery Technology Center, transporting yarn and learning "everything he could” about the golf sock prototype. In between spreading the gospel about the World’s Best Golf Sock, he somehow manages to spend time with his wife Lauren, and their new yellow lab puppy: Reedy.
Gil Patrick, Director, Golf Development
Gil is an experienced industry veteran whose impressive knowledge is exceeded only by his passion for the World’s Greatest Golf Sock. As the Director of Golf Development at Kentwool, Gil strives to connect the dots with sales, marketing and operations to drive steady growth. Originally from Hubbard, Ohio, Gil graduated from Youngstown State University in 1972, and—because of his talent and enthusiasm for the game of golf—actually spent "quality time” as golf teaching professional at La Jolla CC, Rancho Bernardo and The Greenbrier. Lucky for us, his sales numbers continue to soar upward as his golf handicap stands pat at 10. Gil has been happily married to, Sandy, his high school sweetheart "for a long, happy and wonderful time.” Together they have produced two Two outstanding children—Greg & Katie—plus one absolutely adorable granddaughter: Hannah. Gil’s love of sports does not stop at golf—he is a true aficionado of all sports, especially college football, where he roots hard for the Fighting Irish.
Vicki Rogers, Customer Service
Vicki is one of those rare people who has "never met a stranger” and be friends with anyone. Not surprisingly, she serves as Head of Customer Relations—handling everything from customer queries to "putting out fires” around the office. Her sincerity and attention to detail have made her the designated "voice” of the Kentwool operation, routinely assisting callers with orders, and gladly answering any questions they may have. When she’s not steering the boat at Kentwool, Vicki spends time with her family and friends. She and her husband, Curtis, reside nearby in Easley, SC…just a stone’s throw from her beloved Clemson Tigers, who she follows year-round, no matter what the sport.