Vantage Apparel (asi/93390) says Chris Alfano has a track record of spearheading tech success. That’s a key reason why the Avenel, NJ-based Top 40 supplier has promoted Alfano to chief technology officer.

“Since joining Vantage, Chris has been instrumental at leading the strategic direction of our company’s technology focus,” said Ira Neaman, president and CEO of Vantage Apparel. “He and his team have helped to transform the way we integrate with some of the industry’s leading distributor companies, creating zero-touch from the order to production.”

Chris Alfano, CTO, Vantage Apparel

Most recently director of information technology at Vantage, Alfano joined the company in January 2012. Since then, he created and deployed Vantage’s virtual server platform, which provided cloud access to all of the supplier’s software services. Additionally, Alfano managed the implementation of PromoStandards, and created a developer suite that allows customers to integrate with the company’s production software through numerous APIs. If that weren’t enough, Alfano also led the implementation direction for Vantage’s new ERP system, which improved order-to-production efficiencies by nearly 30%.

Alfano isn’t ready to stop there, though. In addition to leading Vantage’s efforts to bring more innovative solutions to the branded apparel marketplace, he’ll also be developing the technology strategy for each of the supplier’s three production facilities in North America – Avenel, NJ; St. Louis, MO; and the newly enhanced Santa Ana, CA location.

Alfano is excited for what the future holds for Vantage and its customers.

“Vantage’s continuous mission to strive for better, faster, and more intuitive offerings for its customers has given me an incredible look into what matters most to our distributor partners,” Alfano said. “As the industry leans on technology to drive commerce more than ever before, I’m very excited to work alongside a company and its leaders that share so much enthusiasm for innovation.”

Alfano remains based out of Vantage’s New Jersey headquarters. He officially began his new role as CTO on Monday, March 11. Prior to joining Vantage, Alfano was corporate information technology manager for Lipo Chemical and Ruger Chemical.

With reported 2017 North American promotional product revenue of $49.6 million, Vantage Apparel ranked 31^st on Counselor’s latest list of the largest suppliers in the industry.