Gary Childress

Gary Childress recently retired from the Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation, Westerville, Ohio serving as Orton’s general manager for 17 years. Since its inception in 1932, the Orton Foundation has sponsored research to advance the ceramic industry.  Mr. Childress graduated from Clemson University with a BS degree in Ceramic Engineering. Prior to joining Orton, Gary served as vice president of Hecla Mining Company and president of Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Company. Starting his career as a Ceramic Engineer in the whitewares industry, he completed his career holding senior management positions for the past 31 years. Mr. Childress served on the ACerS’s political action committee and is past chairman of the Southwest Section and the Whitewares Division.