Executive Profiles

Haynes Griffin
Chairman and CEO

Haynes Griffin, chairman and CEO of Insect Shield, LLC, was previously the founding CEO and president of Vanguard Cellular Systems, Inc. At the time it was acquired by AT&T in 1999, Vanguard, based in Greensboro, NC, was one of the largest independent non-wireline cellular telephone companies in the country. Griffin is also the past chairman of the board of the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA).

In addition, Griffin was appointed by the White House to the United States Advisory Council on the National Information Infrastructure to advise the administration on information super-highway policy.

Griffin serves as a trustee for the Center for Creative Leadership, one of the world’s leading organizations devoted to the study of leadership, creativity and effective management. He is also the past North Carolina state chairman for the Young Presidents’ Organization.

Griffin is a graduate of Woodberry Forest School, where he has served as chairman of the board of trustees and is currently a trustee emeritus, and of Princeton University, where he has served on the Alumni Council Executive Committee. He is the past chairman of the board of trustees of Greensboro Day School. Griffin has served on numerous other public and private business and charitable boards, as well.

 

Richard Lane
(President/COO 1996-2022)

Richard Lane (1949-2022 ) was the founding President and Chief Operating Officer of Insect Shield, LLC. He was the creator and developer of the proprietary Insect Shield chemistry and process. He also designed the required equipment.

Lane was widely recognized as a leading developer of the stone-washed demin process. Following graduation from college he took over the fourth-generation family business, Lane's Laundry and transitioned it into a commercial operation where he developed stoned-washed denim, as well as countless other specialty finishes for the apparel industry. He was at the forefront of the concept of prewashing garments, which is now a standard in the manufacturing of sportswear and casual apparel worldwide.

For 18 years, Lane served as Director of Technical Research and Development of the Ralph Lauren Corporation, New York.

Lane received his degree in Textile Chemistry from North Carolina State University, College of Textiles. He was a longstanding member of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists.

Jason Griffin
President

Jason Griffin joined Insect Shield in October 2002 as the vice president of strategic marketing. He helped manage the military and brand partner business for several years. He subsequently started and led the direct channel as the president of Insect Shield International, LLC.

Prior to joining Insect Shield, Griffin served in several management positions at Dobson Cellular Systems, Inc. including acquisitions manager, market manager, and finally national sales director.

Griffin holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering science/management of technology from Vanderbilt University and is a graduate of Woodberry Forest School. He has served on the finance committee at Canterbury School which his two children attended. 

Aaron Holcomb
Chief Financial Officer

In July 2013, Aaron joined Insect Shield as vice president of finance after serving 9 years with a regional certified public accounting firm.  Aaron managed multiple audit teams on a wide range of Industries as a client base that has allowed him to bring extensive experience and knowledge to Insect Shield.  With the multiple business divisions at Insect Shield, his knowledge with manufacturing, cost accounting, GAAP, and International Accounting Standards has allowed Insect Shield to continue to grow worldwide in the ever changing business markets.

Aaron is originally from Ohio and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Greensboro College.  He enjoys life as a “girls-dad” and watching as much soccer as possible.

Rick Hemmerling
Executive Vice President

In January 2007, Rick Hemmerling joined Insect Shield, LLC, as vice president of business development to help spearhead strategic business and marketing initiatives. Under Hemmerling’s direction the Seattle Insect Shield office supports brand partners, develops private-label products, oversees facilities and offices in Asia and supports Insect Shield’s philanthropic efforts.

In 1987, Hemmerling co-founded ExOfficio with the idea of developing a new generation of performance apparel. Hemmerling’s creative vision quickly established ExOfficio as an innovator in a highly competitive market. Hemmerling pioneered numerous cutting-edge fabric and garment technologies such as anti-microbial, ultraviolet-protective and insect-repellent apparel to enhance the protection and comfort of active travelers. His innovative products have been featured by media outlets such as Good Housekeeping, Time, U.S. News & World Report, Business Week and the TODAY Show, to name just a few.

In April, 2006 Travel + Leisure Magazine recognized Hemmerling as one of the top 35 travel industry innovators in the world.

Hemmerling helped launch Insect Shield technology via the ExOfficio product line in 2004, resulting in the first-ever EPA-registered insect-repellent apparel to hit the market. Hemmerling considers the development of world health initiatives to help in the fight against diseases such as malaria, dengue fever, Lyme disease, and West Nile virus to be one of the most rewarding aspects of the Insect Shield technology.

Mary Collins
Vice President of Business Development

Mary Collins joined Insect Shield LLC 2007 as sales manager. In 2012, Mary relocated to Shanghai China to oversee international business development, the Insect Shield China treatment plant and the building of Insect Shield Vietnam in 2014. She is an integral part of growing Insect Shields’ international presence and operations. Mary also manages a variety of outreach programs designed to help educate the public on insect borne diseases, their risks, and prevention.

Previous to her time at Insect Shield, Mary worked at ExOfficio with Insect Shield EVP Rick Hemmerling for 19 years in a variety of positions from marketing to product development and sales including the original launch of Insect Shield apparel.

Collins holds a Bachelor of Science in Textiles & Apparel from Cornell University.

Shane Wolfe
Vice President of Military Operations

Shane Wolfe joined Insect Shield in 2018 as a quality consultant. He later served as the military program manager from 2019-2022. 

Before joining Insect Shield, Shane worked in various positions for over twelve years with UPS and UPS Freight most recently as an operations manager where he managed teams as large as 300 employees. His extensive background in logistics and transportation management has proven to be valuable in managing large volume contracts that military business entails.

Shane resides in North Carolina with his wife and two daughters.  In his spare time, he enjoys watching Premier League Soccer and all types of motorsports.