Cohoes, NY – Thomas D. O’Connor, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mohawk, North America’s largest privately-owned manufacturer of fine papers, envelopes and specialty substrates for commercial and digital printing, will join the country’s top CEOs and executives when he speaks at the upcoming Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum in Palm Springs, California. 

Mr. O’Connor was invited to participate and share his experience and insights during a panel entitled, “Entrepreneurs: how purpose and stewardship contribute to success,” on November 15 at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Springs, California.  The panel will allow top entrepreneurs an opportunity to discuss their personal sense of purpose and stewardship as part of their path to success.

“Mr. O’Connor is clearly a perfect candidate to speak about entrepreneurs building a successful enterprise and leaving a legacy as this year Mohawk celebrates its 82-year heritage," said Bryan Pearce, Americas Director, Entrepreneur Of The Year, Ernst & Young. “Mohawk is recognized for embracing innovation and seizing opportunities as they arise and we look forward to hearing his insights at the 2013 Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum."

The Ernst & Young Strategic Growth Forum is the most prestigious, invitation-only event for CEOs and senior executives in the country. The Forum, now in its seventh year, sells out with more than 2,000 of the nation’s top CEOs, entrepreneurs, advisors, investors and other senior business leaders.

The 2013 Forum will feature inspiring stories from the world’s most influential business leaders, including David M. Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-CEO, The Carlyle Group;  Jeffrey R. Immelt, Chairman and CEO, General Electric;  Bernard J. Tyson, CEO, Kaiser Permanente; Hamdi Ulukaya, Founder, President and CEO, Chobani, Inc.  Additional special appearances, keynotes and sessions will be presented by notable personalities including Jay Leno, Sally Field, Michael J. Fox, Pat Riley, Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf. 

With a dedication to innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit as foundations of the Mohawk brand, 2013 has been a very active year for the fourth generation, family-owned fine paper manufacturer. 

Mohawk has continued to embrace digital technology through a partnership with DODOcase to launch two new consumer products in 2013, DODOcase Notes and DODOcase iPad Mini Folio. The company also recently announced a corporate restructuring resulting in two new distinct business units: Mohawk Fine Paper and Mohawk Digital. The restructuring supports the growth in Mohawk’s emerging digital business, while securing the future of its core fine paper business.  In addition, the company added over 100 new specialty digital substrates to its product line in 2013.

In addition, Mohawk has developed a new partnership with Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., as Supporting Sponsor of the 2013 Martha Stewart American Made program which celebrates creative entrepreneurs and small manufacturers and businesses who are powering an economic resurgence in this country. 

Mohawk’s support of American Made aligns closely with the brand’s 2013 support of an emerging maker movement. Mohawk recently published three new publications The Mohawk Declaration of Craft, The Mohawk Craft Cooperative, and The Mohawk Maker Quarterly and released a video promoting and underscoring the importance of craftsmanship and collaboration.