September 27, 2016 (Anaheim, Calif.) – During ACMA’s Membership Awards and Recognition Ceremony at third annual CAMX – The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo, the American Composites Manufacturers Association (ACMA) celebrated its 2016-2017 ACMA Membership Award winners.
This year’s winners are:
- Outstanding Volunteer Award: Perry Bennett – Health, Safety and Environmental Director, Molded Fiber Glass Companies
- Hall of Fame Award: Matt Chambers – President, Design Concepts/Marine Concepts
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Michael Hood – President, Hood Manufacturing, Inc. (HMI)
- Chairman’s Award: John Gaither – Chairman, President & CEO, Reichhold LLC 2
Perry Bennett has 39 years of experience in the environmental health and safety field, and has been active in ACMA’s Government Affairs Committee since its inception in 1995. Perry is also an active member of the Styrene Information Research Center (SIRC) Science and Technology Task Group, and the Public Affairs Task Group.
“I have truly enjoyed working with my colleagues on the ACMA Government Affairs Committee over the past 20 years. Fellow composite manufacturers, material suppliers and ACMA Staff worked tirelessly together to successfully solve serious challenges to our industry.” Bennett says.
Matt Chambers has 26 years of composites industry experience and leadership, and has been with Design Concepts / Marine Concepts since 2006 (formally known as JRL Ventures, Inc. / Marine Concepts). As president of the Southwest Florida Manufacturers Association, he won the 2013 Small Business Ambassador Award for Manufacturing from Florida Governor Rick Scott. Under his leadership, JRL Ventures, Inc. won 2010 Manufacturer of the Year from the Manufacturers Association of Florida. Matt is a two time recipient of the Brunswick, US Marine, Leadership Award. In 1995, he received the USA Today Rochester Institute of Technology Leader Award. He has also served on ACMA’s Board of Directors and as the chairman of ACMA’s Government Affairs Committee.
“[ACMA members] are the drivers of the composite industry; not the followers,” Chambers says. “You’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to government affairs, training, and marketing.”
John Gaither’s career includes more than 40 years in the specialty chemical industry. John was hired by company founder Henry Reichhold in the late 1960’s and has held a number of leadership roles within the company throughout his tenure. His previous responsibilities have included executive leadership positions in sales and marketing, business management and M&A. John holds a BA in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania as well as an MBA from INSEAD in Fontainebleau, France.
