People in Composites – February 2019

ALMACO

Erika Bernardino Aprá has been appointed president of the Latin American Composite Materials Association (ALMACO, São Paulo, Brazil). She has held the positions of marketing manager and general manager of ALMACO over the last eleven years. Her term will last three years, renewable for three more. She is the first woman to preside over ALMACO, entity founded in 1981.

“The choice of an independent executive, which is not linked to a specific company in the composite sector, reinforces the increasingly professional profile of ALMACO,” says Aprá. Rodrigo Braga of Owens Corning (Rio Claro, Brazil) and Marcelo Aguiar of Tecnofibras (Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil) assumed the positions of 1^st vice president and 2^nd vice president, respectively.

Disseminating knowledge about composite materials is the focus of the new management. According to Aprá, the strategy is based on courses, workshops, technical conferences and in-company training, among other activities. The organization is also focused on the “strengthening and expansion of the number of sectoral committees, aiming at the search for new business opportunities for all members of the composite production chain.” 

The new administration says it will act as an interlocutor between the associates and government agencies.

 

Porcher Industries

Porcher Industries (Eclose-Badinières, France), a leader in technical textiles and thermoplastic composite solutions with a global platform delivering unique chemistries and innovations, has announced the appointment of Jean-Marc Senecot as the new Global Head of R&D. Taking a global responsibility for innovation and new technology across the group, Senecot will lead the successful delivery of all new product development and technology projects – typically managing more than 90 projects per year. 

 

TPI Composites

TPI Composites Inc. (TPI, Scottsdale, Ariz., U.S.), manufacturer of composite wind blades, has announced that Tyrone Michael Jordan has joined its board of directors, effective January 29, 2019. Mr. Jordan brings 35 years of extensive automotive and aerospace global operations and executive leadership experience to TPI.

“We are thrilled to have TJ join our board,” says Paul Giovacchini, TPI’s Chairman of the Board. “We will greatly benefit from TJ’s counsel and expertise in advanced automotive and aerospace product development, strategic planning and manufacturing systems as TPI continues to execute its strategy of diversified, profitable global growth.”

Mr. Jordan has served as the president and chief operating officer of Dura Automotive Systems, LLC, a global designer and manufacturer of automotive components, including control systems, exterior systems and lightweight structural systems for original equipment manufacturers and other transportation industries. Mr. Jordan began his career at General Motors Company (GM) where he held numerous international operations, business development, strategy, marketing and sales, M&A and product development executive positions including global executive director of Product Development for New Vehicle Technologies and ultimately served as executive vice president, Global Operations and Customer Experience. Jordan has also served United Technologies Corporation in prominent roles in manufacturing operations, purchasing, technology and engineering and ultimately as Global SVP, Operations and Supply Chain, Aerospace Systems.

 

Zund

Zund America Inc. (Franklin, Wisc., U.S.), has announced the recent appointment of Scott Spagnolli to the position of North American Sales and Channel Manager, responsible for the U.S. and Canada. Spagnolli has over 25 years years of experience in the printing and graphics industries, including 7 years with Veritiv/Xpedx, where he was Director of Graphic Solutions for all wide-format and pre-press media and equipment. Spagnolli also spent over 20 Years at Eastman Kodak Co., where he held roles in operations and sales management for graphics- related products. Based in the Dallas, Texas, U.S., area, Spagnolli will be responsible for managing the Zund America sales team and distribution channels. His key focus will be driving both direct and channel sales into the graphics and packaging segments as well as exploiting new opportunities in non-graphics industrial segments such as leather, gasket and composites.