FILIUM CORP. AND FORMER SEATTLE MAYOR BRUCE HARRELL ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP TRANSITION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF EXECUTIVE ADVISORY BOARD, POSITIONING THE COMPANY FOR ACCELERATED GLOBAL GROWTH
Filium names former Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell as CEO and establishes an Executive Advisory Board with industry leaders, as retailers and brands, including Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, O’Neills and North Face, adopt Filium Activated technology.
Seattle, Washington — May 21, 2026 — Filium, the Seattle-based award-winning material science innovator transforming textile performance through sustainable technology, today announced a series of strategic leadership and organizational developments designed to accelerate the company’s next phase of growth and reinforce its position as a leader in advanced textile solutions.
Filium has developed breakthrough PFAS-free textile technology engineered to deliver water repellency, soil release, and odor resistance while preserving breathability and fabric hand feel. The company’s proprietary solutions are helping redefine modern textile manufacturing by reducing water consumption, lowering energy use, extending fabric lifespan, and supporting healthier, more sustainable consumer products and ensuring that all communities benefit from this technology.
Filium technology has recently been featured in product lines carried by major global retailers and brands, including Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, O’Neills, and North Face.
As part of today’s announcement, Filium confirmed that Bruce Harrell will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Founder Raj Shah, who will continue to guide the company as Chairman of the Board.
“Raj Shah and his brother Ahkil Shah’s decades of leadership in the apparel and textile industry, combined with their deep understanding of sustainability and innovation, have positioned Filium at the forefront of a transformational movement in material science,” said Harrell, former Mayor of the City of Seattle. “I am honored to step into this leadership role at such an exciting moment for the company and the industry. Consumers and global brands are demanding products that perform at the highest level while reflecting modern environmental and wellness values, and Filium is uniquely positioned to help lead that evolution. The Shahs have been respected for decades as leading innovators and disruptors in the apparel industry. Their unprecedented success in brands like Mecca, supply chain innovation and record breaking 24% market share, gives Filium a unique advantage in material science.”
Harrell continued, “Filium’s game-changing and award-winning technology is designed for every fabric type and every community. I am thrilled to join the team that is bringing this revolutionary approach to sustainable, innovative textiles to its next stage with new retailers, brands, and consumers.”
Doug Lynch, President of Filium, added, “Bruce brings a unique combination of visionary leadership, operational discipline, AI integration and relationship-building expertise. Over the past several weeks, I have seen firsthand his commitment to collaboration, innovation, and performance excellence. His leadership will be instrumental as Filium scales its global growth strategy.”
Filium also announced the formation and expansion of its Executive Advisory Board, bringing together highly accomplished leaders from the global apparel, retail, sports, and brand marketing industries to support the company’s strategic initiatives and long-term expansion.
New members of the Executive Advisory Board include:
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Bob Philion, former President and CEO of Puma North America and COBRA PUMA Golf
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Laurie Black, longtime senior executive at Nordstrom, including service as President of Nordstrom Rack
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Chris Overholt, Chief Commercial Officer of Vinik Sports Group and the Tampa Bay Lightening, and former Senior Vice President and Head of Global Partnerships for Madison Square Garden Sports
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Dr. Badri Narayanan Gopalakrishnan, Founder of Infinite Sum Modeling, LLC.
In addition, Larry Miller, Chairman of Jordan Brand at Nike and former President of Jordan Brand, who also serves on Filium’s Board of Directors, continues to provide strategic guidance to the company, commented, “The Shah brothers decades of stellar success in the apparel industry and with Bruce Harrell’s highly accomplished background will accelerate company’s mission. The Filum team understands innovation, culture and how to effectively build partnerships which will be key to their success.”
Investor Brian Levine commented, “Filium has positioned itself as a true innovator within the textile industry by aligning performance, health, sustainability, and environmental responsibility in a way that is increasingly demanded by consumers and global brands alike. The company is challenging legacy assumptions in an industry historically driven primarily by cost and appearance.”
Chairman Raj Shah, who alongside Akhil Shah is a co-founder of Filium, added, “These leadership and organizational changes, coupled with their novel AI applications, reflect Filium’s unwavering commitment to innovation, sustainability, and long-term industry leadership. For decades, I have witnessed the environmental and human impact of traditional textile manufacturing. Filium was created to help change that reality, and I believe the company is exceptionally well positioned for continued growth and global influence in the material sciences sector.”