Nelda Lay, Founder / President
Nelda grew up in Louisiana, where she attended LSU and trained to become a schoolteacher. She taught for four years in the tough streets of Chicago. When she was at LSU, she met her future husband Doug, with whom she had two daughters, Christen and Cynthia. Nelda established The Persian Carpet in 1976 and turned a small business into a sizeable enterprise where she manages all the accounting and human resources

Cynthia Lay, COO

Cynthia is a dynamo, getting done in a day what most people get done in a week. She is the visionary behind our Southwest Collections and oversees design, production, importation, marketing and distribution. Cynthia believes that exceptional customer service is the foundation of a successful company and she actively cultivates this philosophy throughout the team. She is happiest collaborating with trade accounts and sharing beautiful new designs with clients. Be sure to look for her welcoming smile at the High Point and Las Vegas trade shows—it’s hard to miss.

Clara Johnson, Creative Director
Clara ensures everything runs smoothly at Southwest Looms. An accomplished visual artist with experience in marketing, operations and administration, Clara brings a unique blend of innovation, logistics and strategic thinking to the team. Clara handles everything from tradeshows to rug design to customer relations with enthusiasm and flair. Her infectious laughter and unwavering positivity make Southwest Looms not only more creative, but a genuinely great place to work.

Steve Williams, Showroom Manager

Steve is a natural storyteller who loves sharing his deep knowledge of rugs with clients. He has an uncanny ability to know exactly which rugs will work best in a space and is an expert at sourcing exceptional, fine-quality pieces. Working closely with interior designers across the United States, Steve makes rug selection feel effortless. Let him curate a thoughtful, inspiring selection that will elevate your projects and impress your clients.

Alan Butler, Cleaning and Repair Manager

Alan is a certified antique rug and personal property appraiser with expertise in fine hand-woven rugs. He oversees rug cleaning and restoration at our Durham location and ensures that each rug is treated with the respect due to a collectible work of Art. Alan’s meticulous approach helps preserve the integrity, longevity and beauty of every piece entrusted to us

Jan Ali, Master Rug Repair Specialist
Jan Ali brings over 45 years of expert craftsmanship to every rug repair. Specializing in fine handmade rugs, he skillfully restores selvedges, hems, fringes, and repairs holes with remarkable precision. With a meticulous eye for detail, Jan Ali gives each rug renewed life, beauty, and durability.

Warehouse Team

Our warehouse team truly is the heart and soul of Southwest Looms. Their friendly attitude, positive energy, and team-first approach keep our shipping department running like a well-oiled machine. Most orders are processed and shipped within one business day, an impressive accomplishment that we are incredibly proud of. Their expertise, reliability, and care ensure that every order reflects Southwest Looms’ commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.