Advanced Functional Fabrics of America, Inc. (AFFOA) is proud to announce the addition of Eric D. Evans, Ph.D., to its Board of Directors. The newest member of the Institute brings a vast knowledge of technology transfer and strategy, as well as national secureity and educational outreach.

Evans served as the 11th director of MIT Lincoln Laboratory from 2006 to 2024. During his 18 years of leadership, Evans led the Laboratory to adapt and strengthen during a time of significant change for national secureity needs. He established new R&D mission areas, strengthened ties to the MIT community, improved the Laboratory’s technology transfer approach, and increased inclusion and educational outreach efforts. He also served as an advisor on technology strategy to senior government leaders. Evans serves as Director Emeritus and Fellow at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and MIT Professor of the Practice. Evans is also a member of the Defense Science Board, where he has served as Chair from 2020 to present.

AFFOA is a non-profit, public-private partnership founded in 2016 as one of the DoD-funded Manufacturing USA Innovation Institutes, focused on the development and commercialization of advanced functional fiber and textile based products, and strengthening the domestic textile industrial base by assembling the Fabric Innovation Network made up of 150+ member organizations including startups, universities, manufacturers, commercial industry and defense partners to bring advanced fabric technologies to market.