September 25, 2014

SPFA News & Announcements

>>SPFA's Kurt Riesenberg, Rick Duncan and Kelly Marcavage Speak at CPI Conference
SPFA's Kurt Riesenberg, Rick Duncan and Kelly Marcavage all presented at the 2014 Polyurethanes Technical Conference, which is wrapping up today (Sept. 24) at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center in Dallas. Kurt Riesenberg, SPFA Executive Director, talked about updates related to the SPFA Professional Certification Program (PCP) for sprayfoam installers and companies. Dr. Rick Duncan, SPFA Technical Services Director, addressed meeting the need for sustainable building design, and shared the final results from SPFA’s industry-wide LCA and EPD project for SPF insulation and roofing. Kelly Marcavage, SPFA Certification and Training Director, offered information and support related to the SPFA PCP.

Hosted by the Center for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI) of the American Chemistry Council, the conference had more than 60 technical presentations scheduled. Get the latest updates and conference news on LinkedIn and Twitter. Follow @AmChemEvents and use the hashtag #PUtech to join the conversation.

>>SPFA Learns of Jerry Baldwin's Passing
It is with both sadness and fond memories that SPFA's Executive Director Kurt Riesenberg shares the news of Jerry Baldwin’s accidental (non-work related) passing. "Jerry was a great supporter of SPFA, a former Board member, and always the one in the room to come up with something funny to say or do when the moment was right. He was a lucky man to be surrounded by so many close friends. I and SPFA will miss Jerry greatly, and extend best wishes to Denise and the Baldwin family."

Please visit this website to see Jerry’s obituary, arrangements, wishes of family, or to leave a message.

>>SPFA Forms Marketing Committee

SPFA formed a Marketing Committee -- co-chaired by Mac Sheldon and Ridge Stockdale -- and there are opportunities for SPFA members to be involved. If you would like to be involved in promoting, protecting and growing the SPF industry, and helping SPFA do the same, please reach out to Kurt Riesenberg, SPFA Executive Director.

Some of the initial goals of the committee are to:

• Provide input to SPFA’s SPRAYFOAM Professional magazine & bi-weekly newsletter for future articles, topics, authors, new areas

• Consider/establish consistent industry messaging for various audiences – architects, specifiers, builders, general contractors, code officials

• Establish regular informational webinars on SPF (safety, PPE, OSHA, fire testing, introduction to foam, decoding thermal and ignition barriers, building science, troubleshooting, etc)

• Utilize SPFA’s deep list of previously-submitted projects (Annual Awards Program) to construct dozens of success stories and promotional material

>>AGC Explores SPF in Its Current Issue of Constructor Magazine

In the September/October 2014 issue of Constructor, a publication of the Associated General Contractors of America, spray polyurethane foam is explored and explained by SPFA's Technical Services Director Rick Duncan, P.E., Ph.D., while Joseph W. Lstiburek, Ph.D., P.Eng., Fellow ASHRAE, shares information about insulation's role in a perfect wall.

See full article here.

>>SPFA Elects New Board Members

SPFA's Board of Directors for the 2014-2016 term include:

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President: Mr. Dennis Vandewater, Sadler Coating Systems (IA)

Vice President: Mr. John Achille, Coastal Insulation (NJ)

Treasurer: Mr. Richard Spiess, Innovative Insulation Solutions (IL)

Immediate Past President: Mr. Robert (Bob) Duke, Carolina Comfort Foam

BOARD MEMBERS

Contractor Officer Seats (6):

Ms. Bonnie Strickler, Puff Inc. (VA)

Mr. Ron Winkle, Western Pacific Roofing (CA)

Mr. Larry Ash, United Thermal Systems (NY)

Mr. Tyler Fiske, Anchor Insulation (RI)

Mr. Bryan Heldreth, RPC (VA)

Ms. Tiffiny Flaim, Biofoam Inc. (IL)

Non-Contractor Officer Seats (6):

Mr. Joe Stockdale, Bayer Material Science (TX)

Ms. Mary Bogdan, Honeywell (NY)

Mr. Mitch Clifton, NCFI (NC)

Mr. Mac Sheldon, Demilec Inc. (TX)

Mr. Nick Pagano, Graco Inc. (MN)

Mr. Tom Sojak, Gaco Western (WI)