2025 Good Scout Award Luncheon

Gary Heiman serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Textile, a global leader in innovative textiles and technologies for healthcare, hospitality, interiors, and industrial applications. Since stepping into leadership as President in 1988 and CEO in 1994, he has transformed the company from a regional textile distributor into a vertically integrated powerhouse with 24 manufacturing facilities worldwide.

In 1973, Gary founded Standard Textile’s first manufacturing facility in Israel’s Negev Desert. This venture propelled the company to become the largest manufacturer of healthcare and hospitality textiles in Israel, earning him accolades such as “Industrialist of the Year” and “Pioneer of the Negev.” A dual citizen of the U.S. and Israel, Gary’s service in the elite search-and-rescue unit of the Israel Defense Forces helped shape his strategic, resilient, and collaborative leadership approach.

Gary’s leadership philosophy centers on innovation, global collaboration, and social impact. In 1997, he expanded Standard Textile’s global presence by establishing the first U.S.-based manufacturing facility in Irbid, Jordan —a groundbreaking initiative supporting regional economic development and symbolizing progress after the Jordan-Israel peace treaty. Under his guidance, the company has balanced its global reach with a steadfast commitment to revitalizing U.S. manufacturing, reopening and modernizing production facilities in Georgia, South Carolina, and Texas.

As a technology-driven leader, Gary has positioned Standard Textile at the forefront of innovation in textile manufacturing, securing over 150 patents in product and process development. By leveraging advanced polymers, robotics, automation, and vision-control systems, the company consistently delivers cutting-edge solutions. For Gary, innovation is not merely a business imperative —it is a means to redefine industry standards and deliver unparalleled value to customers.

Building on a family legacy of entrepreneurship, Gary carries forward the vision of his grandfather Charles, who escaped from the Dachau Concentration Camp, made a perilous journey across Europe, and secured a visa for his family before founding Standard Textile in Cincinnati in 1940. Under the leadership of Gary’s father Paul, the company emerged as a healthcare market leader. Today, Gary works alongside his son, Alex, the company’s President, to drive its mission of innovation, operational excellence, and commitment to customers and communities around the world.

Gary holds a degree from Washington University in St. Louis and has pursued advanced studies in industrial and mechanical engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, the Saurer Institute, and the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.

A passionate advocate for community impact, Gary actively contributes to organizations shaping the region’s progress. He is a member of the Cincinnati Business Committee and has held leadership roles with organizations including the Jewish Foundation of Cincinnati, The Jewish Hospital, and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Trustees at the University of Cincinnati. Gary’s unwavering commitment to aligning business success with societal progress continues to inspire and shape Standard Textile’s vision for the future.

Gary and his wife, Kim, are proud parents of three adult children: Danielle, Alex, and Thea.