Twice every year, the Japanese Government honors individuals around the world for their hard work within the Japanese community. On Nov. 3, the Japanese Government announced the recipients of their 2018 Autumn Imperial Decorations, bestowing the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette upon Alex Gregory.

Gregory obtained his bachelors of textile engineering in 1970. He is a fellow at Georgia Tech’s Institute of Leadership and Entrepreneurship and member of the Engineering Hall of Fame, the College of Engineering’s highest distinction given to distinguished alumni. 

Gregory earned the award due to his contributions in promoting mutual exchange and friendly relations between Japan and the United States. Gregory maintains that his success is due to the aid and generosity of the people around him. 

 “Words cannot express my appreciation or my surprise at the news that I have received this tremendous award from the government of Japan,” Gregory said. “It has been my great honor and pleasure to work with a tremendous team of dedicated colleagues from Canada to Colombia and to witness their amazing efforts to build good relations in their communities. This award is for them.”

Gregory is the former chairman and chief executive officer of YKK Corporation of America, which is one of the world’s largest zipper manufacturers and distributors. He first joined the Japan-based company as the Weaving Department Manager, directly using his textile engineering degree. He worked his way up, making a name for himself as the first non-Japanese employee in Georgia, the first non-Japanese group officer, and the first non-Japanese director of the company.

In addition to his work bringing the Japanese company to the United States, Gregory is very involved in his community. He has mentored more than 50 students at Georgia Tech, served on the Japanese Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and helped grow Atlanta’s JapanFest into the large cultural celebration it is today.

He is the recipient of many other awards, including the inaugural Governor George Busbee Award for his work on forging a relationship between Japan and Georgia. In 2015, he was awarded the Foreign Minister of Japan’s commendation.