LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL - The Chemical Coaters Association International recently announced its 2020-21 National Board of Directors & Officers. CCAI announced it has three new board members representing its growing local chapters. The addition of active chapter members on the National Board of Directors further supports CCAI’s mission of building a better finishing industry.

Matt Ambrose of Henkel Corp. is the current Chapter President for the Northern Illinois Chapter. Ambrose has worked in the manufacturing industry for nearly 25 years in a variety of different specialties and positions. He spent 13 years working at Nordson Corp. both in its adhesive division and as a Powder Systems Specialist. He helped design and sell powder systems to optimize customers’ lines and maximize their production. In 2018, Ambrose accepted a new role as a Sales Account Executive at Henkel Corp., working within their functional coatings group. Ambrose remarked, “I am honored to be appointed to the CCAI National Board of Directors, and I look forward to bringing my years of experience to the board and adding value and strengthening the mission wherever possible.”

West Michigan Chapter representative Tom Farrington of Sherwin-Williams Co. has 33 years of experience in the finishing industry. His career includes various roles and responsibilities within chemical pretreatment sales and service at Henkel Corp.; Key Account Manager in powder coat sales at Morton/Rohm & Haas Powder Coatings; and currently as a Key Account Manager in e-coat, liquid and powder coat sales with Valspar/Sherwin-Williams.  Farrington said, “I feel very grateful for the many wonderful mentors, incredible years of training and expansive global experiences that have shaped me, and I am honored to pay it forward through local and now national CCAI Board positions.”

Samantha Paulson of Dinamec Systems LLC represents the Georgia Chapter. “I am extremely excited about the opportunity to be able to work with the National Board of Directors and help in any way possible to further reach our goal of supporting the finishing industry and our community,” said Paulson. She started working in the finishing industry at Dinamec Systems in 2014.  Her involvement with the Georgia chapter board, for which she currently serves as President, has given her great resources to lean and grow, and she is thrilled to expand her knowledge of the finishing industry through new relationships on the National Board of Directors. Her background in customer support, sales, technical support, marketing and management is a key component to all business operations. Paulson’s enthusiasm will benefit the CCAI National Board of Directors and help reach the young professionals in the finishing industry.

CCAI announced following individuals will serve on the National Board of Directors for 2020-2021:

OFFICERS:

• President:  Duane Fudge, BASF Chemetall - Unaffiliated
• Vice President: Tony Sclafani, AR Iron, LLC – Las Vegas Chapter
• Treasurer:  Russ Green, Midwest Finishing Systems, Inc. – Northern Ohio Chapter
• Recent Past President: Bill Oney, Therma-Tron-X, Inc. – Wisconsin Chapter

In addition to the new members and officers, continuing on the National Board of Directors for the 2020-21 year will be: Jim Gallagher, Harley-Davidson Motor Co. - Wisconsin Chapter; Loren Keene, Pneu-Mech Systems Mfg. LLC – Central States Chapter; Todd Luciano, Products Finishing – Greater Cincinnati Chapter; Ron Lum, Coral Chemical Co. – Southern California Chapter; Jim Malloy, Kolene Corp. – Southeast Michigan Chapter; Michelle Striggow, Graco Inc. – Twin Cities Chapter; Mark Walsworth, retired – Twin Cities Chapter; Bob Warren, retired – West Michigan Chapter; Jeff Watson, Custom Chemicals of Texas, Texas Chapter; Sam Woehler, George Koch Sons, LLC – unaffiliated; Serving as ex-officio board member is Larry Melgary, Northern Coatings & Chemical – Wisconsin Chapter.

The Chemical Coaters Association International (CCAI) is a technical and professional organization that provides information and training on surface coating technologies. CCAI works to raise the standards of finishing operations through educational meetings and seminars, training manuals, educational videos, and outreach programs with schools, colleges and universities. For more information, visit www.ccaiweb.com.