Valdese Weavers Names Ann Reynolds Design Chief
Ann Reynolds succeeds Laura Levinson, who retires as chief creative officer at the end of 2026 after 36 years with the company.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in People
Valdese Weavers has named Ann Reynolds senior vice president of design, succeeding Laura Levinson, the company's chief creative officer. Levinson retires at the end of 2026 after 36 years with the company.
Why it matters
The appointment sets the leadership path for the company's creative direction in the residential market as its longtime design head steps back. Reynolds has risen through the design ranks at the Valdese, North Carolina-based company since 1994.
Laura Levinson has been with Valdese Weavers for 36 years before her retirement at the end of 2026. Ann Reynolds will oversee a design team of 26 associates, though the announcement does not detail how the team will change under her leadership.
The players
Valdese Weavers
A Valdese, North Carolina-based manufacturer of residential textiles and upholstery fabrics with a showroom in High Point.
Ann Reynolds
A longtime Valdese Weavers designer who has risen to lead the company's design division and will now set its residential creative vision.
Laura Levinson
The company's chief creative officer with 36 years of service, retiring at the end of 2026 after shaping its design direction.
The details
Ann Reynolds joined Valdese Weavers as a designer in 1994, became creative director in 2004, and was named vice president of design in 2018. She is a graduate of North Carolina State University and directs the creative expression of the company's showroom in High Point. Valdese Weavers will honor Levinson at its Interwoven event at 6 p.m. on Nov. 17 in the showroom.
Timeline
1994: Ann Reynolds joins Valdese Weavers as a designer.
2004: Reynolds becomes creative director.
2018: Reynolds becomes vice president of design.
End of 2026: Laura Levinson retires as chief creative officer.
Nov. 17, 6 p.m.: Valdese Weavers honors Levinson at Interwoven in the High Point showroom.
Industry Dynamics
The handoff reflects an internal succession pattern in which design leadership is developed in-house over decades rather than recruited externally. Reynolds' path from designer in 1994 to senior vice president of design mirrors that progression.
Customers and trade buyers who rely on Valdese Weavers' residential fabrics may see the company's design direction shift under Reynolds' leadership. The transition is set to take effect as Levinson's retirement approaches at the end of 2026.
The takeaway
The leadership transition at Valdese Weavers shows how long-tenured internal talent can move into top creative roles. Reynolds' rise through the ranks offers a model of steady advancement in the textile industry.
What happens next
Laura Levinson will be honored at the Interwoven event at 6 p.m. on Nov. 17 in the High Point showroom, and she retires at the end of 2026.
Further reading
Explore more People coverage across North Carolina business leadership.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Furniture Today.
