<DOC>
<DOCID>Stormy_Kromer.doc.txt</DOCID>
<AUTHOR>PR</AUTHOR>
<TEXT>
The Lake Superior State University chapter of Students in Free Enterprise kicks off its Upper Michigan/Northern Ontario Entrepreneur lecture series with Bob Jacquart, the force behind the rebirth of the Stormy Kromer headwear company in Ironwood. His presentation, at 7 p.m. on Feb. 5 in LSSUs Cisler Center, is open to the public.

Jacquart is president of Jacquart Fabric Products. He spends the majority of his time working long-term strategic plans for JFP by focusing on sales and marketing.

Jacquart started in his fathers sewing repair shop in 1971 with one other employee. His first job was sewing machine operator, where he repaired and made boat covers and duffel bags. By the time he purchased the company from his father in 1983, the company had grown to six employees and was closing in on sales of $150,000.

Jacquart purchased the manufacturing rights to the Original Stormy Kromer Cap in 2001, and is currently expanding the Stormy Kromer product line to include a full array of outdoor winter-wear. Today Jacquart Fabric Products employs more than 180 people who manufacture sewn products for a variety of industries, including marine, trucking, upholstery, pet, apparel and medical.

JFP has received numerous awards in many industry publications for its products, including Consumer Digests "Best Pet Bed."

LSSU's chapter of SIFE is part of a global non-profit organization active in more than 40 countries. It is supported by contributions from corporations, entrepreneurs, foundations, government agencies and patrons.

Working with business and higher education, SIFE establishes student teams on university campuses. The teams are led by faculty advisors who work with students to develop community outreach projects that encompass core topics such as market economics, success skills, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business ethics.

Future lectures in the Upper Michigan/Northern Ontario Entrepreneur series will focus on grassroots business success stories from throughout the region.

For more information on LSSUs SIFE chapter, contact faculty advisor Brian Zinser at 906-635-2661.

</TEXT>
</DOC>
