OPEAA names new board

 

OPEAA Officers for 2015 are: President: Franck Sogaard, Jarden Applied Materials; Vice President: Scott Harris, Blount International; Secretary/Treasurer: Mitzi Kiefer, Stens Corporation; and Immediate Past President: Jeff Andrews, Desert Extrusion.

 

Rodney Deloach, Rotary Corporation; Britton Harold, Husqvarna; Jim Paugh, NGK Spark Plugs; and Bob Wehmueller, Prime Line were elected to the board. Jerry Alexander, HBD/Thermoid, is continuing his service on the board. 

 

According to OPEAA’s new president, Franck Sogaard, “OPEAA is growing, membership is at a record level, and I am excited to lead the association with a strong board that is committed to promoting and growing our industry. In the upcoming year, our goal is to refine OPEAA’s strategy to ensure that we position ourselves to better serve the needs of our growing membership.”

 

Sogaard said, “We will also increase our focus on enhancing the Market Statistics program so that we can better understand today’s market trends and opportunities, as this is of paramount importance to our members. Amidst regulatory, technology and market challenges, there are plenty of opportunities to grow and OPEAA’s goal is to help facilitate growth for all of its members.”

 

OPEAA had a very successful Annual Meeting, held this year at the Omni La Mansion Del Rio Hotel in San Antonio, Texas. The meeting not only provided several social networking opportunities, but it was also very productive. The business sessions included speakers who presented timely and relevant information for the industry.  The meeting began with a cocktail reception and silent auction to benefit the Bill Nelson Scholarship Fund, which offers scholarships to employees and families of OPEAA members.