SPE Thermoset TopCon 2025 launches roundtable panel discussion
Five composites industry leaders will present their views on the state of the industry, tariffs, sustainability, as well as best practices to educating the industry in thermoset technologies.
Roundtable panel discussion (left) to right): Cindy L. Squires, Scott Eastman, Leon Garoufalis, Sean Campbell, Len Nunnery and Scott Balogh. Source | SPE Thermoset Division.
The SPE Thermoset Division (Bethel, Conn., U.S.) announces a roundtable panel discussion to take place at Thermoset TopCon 2025 from May 13-14, 2025.
Industry leaders will present their views on the state of the industry today, including changes over the past 12 months and what is driving the changes, markets for growth for their companies and the industry over the next 5 years. Tariffs, if they will be a driver in bringing more business back to the U.S., and if they will change buying behaviors, will also be addressed. Discussions around sustainability will also be explored — including whether OEMs are requesting recycled content and if they are willing to pay a premium for “green products.” The panel will also bring up best practices and new ideas for educating industry to the benefits of thermoset materials in comparison to thermoplastics and metals.
The roundtable panel discussion includes the following speakers:
Cindy L. Squires, president and CEO of the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA). Squires is a cleared trade advisor to the U.S. Trade Representative and serves on the board of the Council of Manufacturing Associations and the American Boat and Yacht Council.
Scott Eastman, president of SPE: Inspiring Plastics Professionals. His career in career the materials and aerospace industries has been a blend of leadership, innovation. and strategic development.
Leon Garoufalis, president and CEO of Composites One. Over the past 37 years, he has held a variety of sales, marketing and operations management positions after starting his career in sales in advertising, specialty chemicals and thermoset resins.
Scott Balogh, president and CEO of Mar-Bal. Balogh serves on the boards of ACMA, the Ohio Manufacturers Association (OMA) and Geauga University Hospital. He has been a member of the World Presidents Organization (WPO), Cleveland Chapter since 2004.
Len Nunnery, VP marketing, sales and technical service at Plastics Engineering Co. (Plenco). Nunnery is an SPE Thermoset Div. counselor. His career has been spent leading the commercial organizations of various composite, elastomer (rubber/silicone), plastics and resin interests through mixed organic and inorganic growth initiatives.
The discussion will be moderated by Sean Campbell, SPE Thermoset TopCon chair and commercial director – engineering composites at LyondellBasell. He has been in many different roles within the plastic industry for the past 30 years.
The SPE Thermoset TopCon 2025 feature keynotes, technical presentations and exhibits highlighting advances in materials, processes and equipment for thermoset technologies in multiple applications. Learn how the event is free for OEMs and provides opportunities for students to share their work in the industry.