FIT Talks: Peter Scotese

FIT Talks: Peter Scotese

Recognized as a leader and visionary throughout his illustrious career in the textile industry, Peter Scotese served in Europe during World War II as an officer in the Parachute Infantry and was awarded two Purple Hearts and the Bronze Star medal. In 1947, he began as a territory salesman at the Nashua Division of Textron, which was spun off and became the Indian Head Mills, working his way up to corporate vice president.

In 1969, Scotese was appointed president of Springs Industries, Inc., one of the nation’s largest producers of textile home furnishings. The first non-family president since the company’s 1887 founding, he went on to serve as CEO until his retirement in 1981. Under his leadership, Springs experienced impressive long-term growth, even during 1970s recession.

His many leadership roles in the industry include chairman of the Milwaukee Boston Store Division of Federated Department Stores and member of the board of the Fashion Institute of Technology, where he continues as Chairman Emeritis. He was also honored with Life Membership and elected to the Wall of Fame of the American Management Association.

In this oral history, Mr. Scotese discusses his life and career and emphasizes his time serving FIT.

FIT Talks is the oral history program of the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Interviewed by Alex Joseph, editor of FIT's Hue magazine.

FIT Special Collections and College Archives

2017-08-30

1:17:09

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