People in Composites: May 2020

IACMI names new Communications Director

Mark Morrison, IACMI communications director. Source | IACMI

The Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI–The Composites Institute, Knoxville, Tenn., U.S.) announced on May 20 that Mark Morrison has been named to the position of Director of Communications.

In his new role, Morrison will lead IACMI’s public relations and external affairs responsibilities. He will also play a critical liaison role in leveraging the key capabilities of the organization’s 150+ members made up of industry, academia and government agencies. 

“Mark is a great fit for IACMI because throughout his career he has driven strategic public affairs and communication initiatives for global manufacturing companies and fostered strong industry and community relationships to advance innovation and achieve business goals,” says IACMI CEO John Hopkins. “We are confident that Mark will be an asset to our IACMI team as we create an ecosystem of innovation to drive commercial outcomes that lead to economic growth.”

Hopkins said Morrison is joining the organization at a critical time as IACMI is working closely with its consortium network and other U.S. partners in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to accelerate post-crisis recovery efforts through coordination, communication and manufacturing assistance.

“The current coronavirus pandemic underscores the importance of having IACMI consortium members aligned and connected with each other as a community, and the broader connectivity provided by the Manufacturing USA Institutes as a network of these communities, so we can accelerate technical innovations and rapidly manufacture solutions to meet U.S. demand,” Hopkins says. “Mark will work with our IACMI stakeholders across industry, academic institutions and federal, state, and local governments to directly advance this mission.”

Morrison joins IACMI after spending 20 years in senior level communication and external affairs roles with global industrial companies, including Honda North America and Louisiana-Pacific Corp. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alabama.

SAERTEX multiCom LP names new General Manager

Klaus Langenbach, general manager. Source | SAERTEX

SAERTEX multiCom (Huntsville, N.C., U.S.) announced on May 4 that Klaus Langenbach has been named the new General Manager of SAERTEX multiCom LP, based in Huntersville, N.C. He succeeds Mark Hallett, who leaves the company after many successful years of service. Langenbach assumed his new role immediately and reports directly to Kai Diecks, global Managing Director.

Langenbach joined SAERTEX multiCom’s U.S. operations as Business Development Manager in April 2019. According to the company, he brings extensive leadership and CIPP experience to his new role, having worked for many years with teams of business development managers, engineers and technicians in the field of pipe rehabilitation in North America and Asia.

He is immediately tasked with developing the current market, creating a larger customer base, redirecting the company’s focus to understand market needs, and creating new products and services.

“With his previous experience leading an organization, I look forward to working closely with Klaus to develop and implement our strategy for future growth, which includes overseeing the construction of our new facility in Huntersville,” says Kai Diecks. “We feel confident that Klaus will help us reach our ambitious growth goals and make the North American organization a successful part of the global multiCom family.”

SAMPE selects new CEO

The Society of the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering (SAMPE,  Diamond Bar, Calif., U.S.) reported on May 5 that its CEO Search Committee has selected Zane Clark to be SAMPE’s new CEO, effective June 15.

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Tooling Tech Group announces Business Development Manager

Dave Meriweather, business development manager. Source | Tooling Tech Group

Tooling Tech Group (TTG, Macomb, Mich., U.S.), a provider of highly engineered tools and automated assembly equipment, announced on May 27 that it has hired Dave Meriwether as Business Development Manager. Meriwether will be responsible for increasing business with current customers, finding and developing new business markets and opportunities, and developing sales goals across the company’s automated solutions and tooling offerings.

“Dave’s proven sales experience and technical knowledge of the thermal composites industry makes him a perfect fit within our commercial organization,” says Todd Wodzinski, chief commercial officer. “His understanding of the steps involved across the manufacturing process makes him a great asset for our company and our customers.”

Meriwether has more than 30 years’ experience in manufacturing. He most recently was senior account manager for Hanwha Azdel (Fenton, Mich.) where he was responsible for business relationships worth $95 million in revenue across 18 key accounts. He attended Mott Community College for Business Management/Administration and has certifications in Robotic Programming, Lean Manufacturing and Six Sigma Logic Training.

Meriwether will work out of Tooling Tech Group’s Temperance, Mich. facility.