Biographies - AMERICAN NIAGARA, "a family company";and if you work here - you are family!
Scotty Barocas
President & CEO
Scotty is the eldest son of one of the founders, Victor Barocas. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia where he earned a degree in Political Science. He was a member of Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity.
He joined American Niagara in 1989. Among his many capacities, he has acted as a labratory technician where he headed up the spotting lab to test fabric soils.
Scotty travels worldwide and conducts seminars on the "art" of stain removal from all types of fabrics. He has written extensively on spot removal techniques and safety and is published quarterly in the famous spanish publication, MEXCOSTURA. He also trains and certifies individuals and companies in the proper safety and handling of halogenated chlorinated hydrocarbons as well as all forms of both solvent and non-solvent spot cleaners.
He married his college sweetheart, Robyn Gerson of New Orleans they have two daughters. Sophie Grace is the eldest and Lily Sarah (Boom-Boom) is the baby.
His hobbies include weight lifting. He was a soccer player and played intra-mural football while at University of Georgia. Scotty is an avid Atlanta Braves, Atlanta Falcons and Georgia Bulldogs sports fan.
e-mail: scott@american-niagara.com
Ervin Barocas is our co-founder along with wife, Maxine. Though, semi-active in the business he has many customers who simply refuse to deal with anyone else. He was the lead singer for many years in THE NIGHT SHADOWS BAND. He is the father of 5 sons and he has two grandchildren (Harrison and Ivey). Ervin was athletic in his youth and instills that competitive spirit in us all.
Ervin can be reached:
Vic Barocas is our co-founder. He is the younger brother of Ervin and together they co-founded the company in 1971. He is the father of Scotty and David and the proud grandfather of Sophie & Lily and Sam. He is married to Joni Braverman-Barocas of New Jersey. In his youth he and a group of friends brought professional Boxing to Atlanta. At 64 he is still an avid weight-lifter. His main hobbies are history as it relates to The Atlanta Campaign of 1864 as well as Sephardic History. His commentaries are published on both subjects. Even though he wrote the book on "stain removers", his first love is history (besides his family - naturally!!).
Vic can be reached at:
David Barocas has 15 years sales experience with the comany. He also has responsibility for over 1,500 customers. He is the youngest son of Vic Barocas. He is married to Kim and they have one son - Sam. He was a defensive lineman when he played football. He served in the US Army during Desert Storm and was an M.P. David knows his "stuff". Give him a call to order or ask questions
David can be reached:
Albert Cohen is our CFO. He is the former co-owner of the famous Atlanta landmark - HAPPY HERMANS DELI. Albert has been lifelong friends with the Barocas Family, and - when he was about to retire after selling his business - The Barocas Family offered him a deal that "he could not refuse". He pays all the bills and tells us all when we spend too much!
He married his high school sweetheart, Phyllis. They have 2 children and 3 grandchildren. Though his wife remains a beauty, Albert surely is not - but his grandchildren surely are.
Albert can be reached:
Wayne Gramling is our Vice-President and General Manager. He heads up our distributor domestic sales to the dry cleaning, upholstery and bedding industries. He also heads-up "purchasing". He retired once and the Barocas Family convinced him to come out of retirement. Wayne also oversees spray gun sales and repair. Got a question? Call Wayne!
Wayne is married to a beautiful lady, Debbie and they have 2 children and a slug of grandchildren.
Wayne can be reached:
Mariela Carrasquillo
Coordinadora de Mercadeo para América Latina
(Marketing Coordinator for Latin America, South America, Spain and all Spanish Speaking Countries).
If you have any questions that need to be answered in Spanish, please call her direct phone line 678-429-3952.
Mariela is married to Whadsden (a veternerian) and they have two sons. She also translates our catalogs, etc., into spanish.
Mariela can be reached:
Betty Roistacher (sister of the founders) works in our customer service department.
If you have any questions about your orders or need to be headed in the right direction, call Betty.
Betty has three children (Sammy, Lisa and Louie) and 5 grandchildren and 1 great-grandchild (Mckenzie Betty).
Betty is a great lady and full of sunshine and laughter!
Betty can be reached at:
Reggie Morganfield is Plant Manager, Chemical and Distribution Unit.
Reggie is thoroughly trained in HazMat Shipments and supervises all hazardous goods shipments. A former college football running back, Reggie brings the necessary toughness and discipline in dealing with various chemical substances.
Reggie can be reached at:
Gary Voelz has been promoted to President of our TEE SQUARES Div. and is directly responsible for developing distributor sales to the Screen Printing and Graphic Arts Industries. IF YOU ARE A SCREEN PRINTER, EMBROIDERER, ETC., LOCATED IN THE CONTINENTAL USA, PLEASE GIVE GARY A CALL. HE KNOWS YOUR INDUSTRY.
Gary has over 20 years experience in setting up branch offices, hiring and training personnel to these industries. He brings an expertise that is unsurpassed. He welcomes you to contact him anytime. He is a former hockey player in college and is a "scratch" golfer. Gary is married to a really beautiful woman - Patti & they have 2 sons
Gary can be reached at:
April May Hofmann is our Florida Star!. She is in an incredible sale rep.
She preaches to us each and every day that "the customer is always right"! April is one of those rare folks that literally lives back in the woods on a lake in central Florida. She has every pet under the Sun. She even has two black bears that rummage through her yard every couple of days. She is dedicated to YOU - the CUSTOMER! She is a wonderful asset who keeps us on our toes 24/7. She can be phoned at 352-685-2000.
Her sister, Terri Whitehead works for our former sister-company Niagara National. So if you ever need "truck wash soap" or a drive-through automatic truckwashing machine, Call Terri 404-350-2600
April can be reached at:
Melanie Smallwood is one of our newest additions.
She is our Manager of Customer Service for the Screen Printing Supply Products Division. She reports directly to Gary Voelz our V.P. She is the complete package, no lie; one minute she is assisting customers and the next minute we see her in the ink room actually mixing ink samples!
When asked, WHY? She responds, BECAUSE THE CUSTOMER NEEDS SAMPLES - NOW!
Though young in age, she brings years of Customer Service experience and is highly trained and dedicated in assisting you and answering your questions.... and always putting THE CUSTOMER FIRST!
Melanie can be reached at:
Mitzi Racioppi
Mitzi comes from an illustrious chemical family. She is also the President of Viper Screen Supply. She recently joined forces with American Niagara & Tee Squares. Mitzi came to us because we were in a position to enhance and broaden her high quality Viper product line. She brings years of chemical experience and we are very fortunate to have her working with us. Mitzi has 2 sons and she flashes perfect teeth - thanks to her dentist husband (Jerry)!
Mitzi can be reached:
Lily "Boom-Boom"
Robyn, Scotty, Sophie, Lily
Lily "Boom-Boom", Scotty
Gary Voelz
Ervin Barocas
Lily & Me-Maw (Joni)
Maxine Barocas
Victor & Joni
Lily "Boom-Boom"
PawPaw & Lily "BoomBoom"
PawPaw & Sophie Grace
Kim & David Barocas
Wayne Gramling
Ablert Cohen
Mariela Carrasquillo
Mitzi Raciioppi & Cary and Brandon
Betty & Mickey
Reggie Morganfield
April May Hofmann
Melanie Smallwood
Sophie at the Atlanta Falcons
Football Game - Go Birds!
Keith Morrow brings forth years of both screen printing and textile experience. But, his former employer has won the non-compete clause in his employment contract (for the few remaining months through end of January) which clearly prevents Keith from calling on his many dedicated and loyal screen print customers for now.
Keith remains our TERRITORY MANAGER and his areas of responsibility includes most of North Carolina and Virginia as well as other non-conflicting areas to be announced. Therefore, he is being re-assigned to call on those non-conflicting industries other than screen printing... again, for the remaining months.
We ask his many customers in the screen printing industry to refrain from direct or indirect contact with Keith as this might hold him in contempt of court for now.
Keith can be reached at: 704-905-0433 or keith@american-niagara.com or for a quicker response, contact tkm@carolina.rr.com
Barbara Parker is a screen printing professional. She brings years of screen printing experience. She was a co-founder and partner of a major screen printing supply company in Alabama for many years.
She brings a strong work ethic and has a large following of loyal customers whom we now eagerly welcome aboard.
We could not believe it, but she is a Grandmother of two! She has 5 children (4 boys and 1 girl) and a supportive husband - Mike.
Barbara is our TERRITORY MANAGER in Alabama and Tennessee. We have been after her for years - and, effective July 1 2009 - she is a proud team member!
Barbara can be reached at: 205-746-3601 or
Keith Morrow
Barbara Parker
Mitch Barocas is the son of co-founders Ervin and Maxine Barocas. He has recently rejoined the company as a sales rep for New York State.
Mitch brings many years of experience in offering our product line to textile and
screen printing customers. He also offers a special line of adhesives for asbestos
abatement companies as well as upholstery companies.
Mitch was a noted football player and weight lifter at the high school level. Unfortunately, when he was to play at The University of Alabama, he injured his knee and that stopped what could have been a fine athletic career.
Mitch can be reached at: 678-429-3952 or
Mitch Barocas
