INDA Annual Meeting 2014
Milliken’s Lovegrove elected chairman
Posted March 24, 2014
CARY, N.C. – INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, is a financially strong and growing membership organization that is taking on increased relevance in the complex global economy of nonwovens and engineered fabrics, President David Rousse reported to members at its Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference.
“INDA’s Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference presents a unique opportunity for INDA members to listen to rich program content that will spark their imaginations and give them new ideas to take back to their organizations,” said Rousse. “It also is a time to hear about all the global, impactful activities INDA has been involved with and discover how they, as members, can become involved as well.”
In addition to the State of the Association update, the annual event held March 10-12 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., also included two keynote speakers, the nomination of a new board of directors and networking opportunities with fellow members and the board.
During the conference, Robb Lovegrove of Milliken was named chairman of the board for a two-year term, succeeding Todd Bassett of Fi-Tech, Inc. Also named as vice chairman, Planning, was Karen Castle of Suominen Nonwovens; and as vice chairman, Finance, Renita Anderson of IMERYS Performance Minerals.
New directors named to three-year terms on the board were: Fred Dulin of Eastman Chemical Company; Michael Flaherty of Rando Machine Corporation; Gene Konczal of Providencia, USA; Wolfgang Plasser of Lenzing AG; Chris Plotz of ITW Dymon; and Jeff Shope of Henkel Adhesives.
The INDA Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference combines INDA’s annual business meeting with a leadership conference featuring speakers presenting on global topics and networking opportunities. INDA members heard a lively and dynamic presentation from James F. Smith, Ph.D., of Econforecaster.com who discussed why global growth should speed up in 2014 and beyond.
Tom Fischgrund, Ph.D., president of Perimeter Search Group, spoke on winning and losing strategies in the war for talent and what can be learned from the best companies, including Coca-Cola, GE, AT&T, UPS, Home Depot, Google and others. He presented the profitable marketing strategies of Sergio Zyman, former chief marketing officer for the Coca-Cola Company during the greatest growth years for the beverage company who was one of the world’s greatest acquirers and developers of talent.
Wahlquist, Justice receive awards
Posted March 24, 2014
CARY, NC – INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has recognized two expert nonwoven industry advocates with its most prestigious awards in 2014.
Joseph D. Wahlquist of Rockline Industries was honored for Lifetime Technical Achievement and Thomas A. Justice of Zene, LLC for Lifetime Service.
INDA President David Rousse presented the awards at the association’s Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference March 10-12 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Wahlquist’s experience and commitment to the nonwovens industry was a critical, determining factor in earning him the 2014 Lifetime Technical Achievement Award. He has a long history of technical innovation leading to the development of intellectual property creating new products and processes.
Wahlquist holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in marketing from the University of Wisconsin. He has held the position of vice president of Global Materials Development for the past 14 years at Rockline Industries.
“Joe Wahlquist has had an integral role for key technical developments in the nonwovens/engineered fabrics industry,” Rousse said. “His many years of service and contributions towards six patents have garnered him much respect and recognition throughout the industry. Plus, he has been an active member on many INDA Committees sharing his technical insights. Joe is extremely deserving of this honor.”
The INDA Lifetime Service Award recognizes an individual who has a long-established record of service to INDA and the nonwoven/engineered fabrics industry. Justice received the award for his outstanding contributions and tireless efforts in helping INDA and the industry grow.
Justice has a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from North Carolina State University and is the principal at Zene, LLC.
“Tom Justice has been a champion for INDA and INDA activities,” Rousse said. “He has been a significant key contributor as an INDA Filtration Committee member and, subsequently, its chairperson, resulting in outstanding program content for our filtration events. INDA greatly appreciates his expertise, wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm for making INDA activities successful, and is proud to honor Tom with this award.”
