New Leadership Elected at NCTO: Policy Advocacy and Industry Transformation in Focus

In April 2026, the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) elected its new leadership during the annual meeting held in Washington, D.C. This organization, which represents the entire U.S. textile supply chain from fiber to finished sewn products, has chosen two key figures: Amy Bircher Bruyn, CEO and Founder of MMI Textiles, as Chair, and Jay Todd as Vice Chair. This change comes at a critical time when global textile trade patterns are undergoing profound shifts and domestic manufacturing policies are increasingly in focus.

Organizational Scope and Representation

NCTO is one of the most representative national textile organizations in the United States, with membership covering synthetic fibers, spinning, weaving, dyeing, and apparel manufacturing. The group has long advocated for domestic textile companies in Congress and federal agencies, addressing issues such as trade agreements, tariff policies, procurement regulations, and technical standards. This election signals that over the next two years, the new leadership will work to consolidate industry resources and strengthen policy lobbying efforts.

Background of New Leaders and Industry Signals

Amy Bircher Bruyn, who leads MMI Textiles, brings a strong entrepreneurial perspective to the role, reflecting NCTO's emphasis on incorporating frontline manufacturing voices. Vice Chair Jay Todd also possesses extensive industry management experience. Their combination sends a clear signal: the most pressing need for the U.S. textile industry is to have people who truly understand production and market operations involved in policy negotiations. Against the backdrop of frequent global supply chain disruptions and the push for manufacturing reshoring, the new NCTO leadership is expected to focus on enforcing 'Buy American' regulations, addressing import competition, and developing sustainable production standards.

Industry Impact and Policy Outlook

One of the first major challenges for the new leadership will be managing competitive pressure from low-cost Asian textile products. NCTO has previously called for stronger government protection of the domestic textile industry, including stricter trade remedy measures on imports and full implementation of American-made preferences in government procurement. It is foreseeable that Bruyn and Todd will continue and intensify this policy approach. At the same time, the U.S. textile industry is undergoing a transition toward digitalization and green manufacturing. The new team will need to balance promoting technological innovation and higher value-added production with preserving traditional jobs.

Practical Recommendations

For Buyers - Closely monitor policy shifts from the new NCTO leadership, especially proposals affecting import tariffs and rules of origin, and prepare supply chain compliance measures in advance. - Evaluate opportunities to strengthen partnerships with U.S.-based textile suppliers to prepare for potential tightening of 'Buy American' regulations. - Track progress on sustainable certification standards promoted by NCTO and incorporate them into supplier evaluation criteria.

For Foreign Trade Companies - Increase monitoring frequency of U.S. trade policy changes, particularly regarding anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations targeting textiles. - Optimize export product mix by shifting toward higher-value, differentiated products to reduce exposure to trade remedy actions. - Consider establishing or partnering for overseas warehouses or assembly points in the U.S. to flexibly adapt to changes in rules of origin.