February 11, 2011 (Arlington, Va.) – The American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) recognized outstanding leaders of the composites industry at its Awards Luncheon at COMPOSITES 2011, Feb. 3 in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. These prestigious awards honor those individuals who have greatly contributed to the industry and the association and are presented each year at the largest composites event in North American.
Marcy Offner, marketing manager at Composites One, received the ACMA Volunteer Award. Offner has made significant contributions to ACMA through numerous volunteer efforts. Most recently, she served as convention committee chairman and she will be providing her expertise on the ACMA Marketing and PR Committee.  Offner is a graduate of Northern Illinois University with a BA in journalism and business, and has held various marketing and public relations positions, including director of marketing and public relations for the Chicago Auto Show.  She has worked in the composites industry for 13 years and was instrumental in the development of the Composites One Closed Mold Program and the launch of the Closed Mold Alliance.
Steve Walling, chairman of the board and CEO of Plasticolors Inc., was this year’s President’s Award recipient. Walling was honored because of his dedicated focus and ability to help develop and refine ACMA’s strategic goals and his service on the ACMA Board of Directors. Walling is a graduate of Denison University and has completed graduate management programs at both the Wharton School of Business and Harvard University. He joined Plasticolors in 1990 as director of sales and marketing and became vice president, sales and marketing, prior to becoming CEO. Previously, he held various sales and marketing management positions with Owens Corning and National Standard.
Don Abel and Charles Dore were elected to ACMA’s Hall of Fame. Inductees have attained distinction among their peers, involvement and accomplishments in the composites industry and its associations.
Abel, national operations manager at ZCL Composites Inc., entered the fiberglass industry as a grinder and held various other production and operations positions before joining ProForm/Xerxes Corporation as a supervisor and plant manager. In his current position, all four of the former Xerxes facilities report to him. Abel was instrumental in starting ACMA’s Certified Composites Technician (CCT) Program and continues to serve on various committees throughout ACMA.
Dore, technical director of Cinnabar Florida Inc. and president of Abate Fire Technologies, earned his BS from Pennsylvania Military College with courses from Lafayette College, University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and the Wharton School of Business.  He has been active in ACMA’s Technical Committee, Fire Committee and the Architectural Division and is a consultant to Disney and Universal in FRP composites.
Richard Morrison, president and CEO of Molded Fiber Glass Companies, received ACMA’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-standing industry and association leadership. To be considered for the Lifetime Achievement Award, nominees must have been involved in the composites industry for at least 20 years and have made a significant and lasting contribution. Morrison graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Science/Engineering degree and went on to earn his MBA from the same prestigious institution. He started his career in the industry as a production manager at Molded Fiberglass Boat Company, and quickly became its president and general manager. Before joining Molded Fiber Glass Companies, he was the head of Molded Fiber Glass Tray Company.Â
ACMA is proud to honor these outstanding individuals for their commitment to ACMA and the composites industry.
