AM Users Group Gets Busy

The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG; Chatsworth, CA) has announced its 2015-2016 board. Elected by members during the annual business meeting held at the 2015 AMUG Conference in Jacksonville, FL, the board’s primary responsibility will be to oversee the April 2016 conference. In a vote of confidence, the members re-elected the outgoing board for a second term. The board members are:

• President: Mark Barfoot, Hyphen
• Past president: Bret Bordner, formerly 3D Systems
• Vice president: Steve Deak, GE Aviation
• Vice president: Dana Foster, rp+m
• Secretary: Kim Killoran, Stratasys
• Event manager: Thomas Sorovetz, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles

“I am honored to have been elected for a second term and pleased that the board is unchanged,” said Barfoot, the president. “It was a pleasure working with industry professionals that willingly volunteered their time and diligently worked on the 2015 AMUG Conference. Their hard work and the industry support that they garnered made the event a huge success, breaking records for attendance, sponsorships and participation.” Immediately after the elections, the following individuals were appointed to the board:

• Treasurer: Vince Anewenter, Milwaukee School of Engineering
• AM industry advisor: Todd Grimm, T. A. Grimm & Associates

The incoming board also named AMUG global ambassadors:

• Ambassador: Graham Tromans, GP Tromans Associates
• Ambassador: Stefan Ritt, SLM Solutions
• Ambassador: Nora Cibula, Concept Laser

The new board’s responsibilities will involve building the program for the 2016 conference, soliciting support from businesses in the AM industry, and overseeing the event’s day-to-day activities. The five-day event will include a two-night exhibitor expo, hands-on workshops, instructional sessions, technical presentations, and an Awards Banquet gala. The venue for the 2016 users group conference will be announced when the selection process is complete.

AMUG also announced the recipients of DINO (Distinguished INnovator Operator) awards for additive manufacturing expertise and service. These awards were also presented at the 27th annual users group conference in Jacksonville. During the annual Awards Banquet, the association named eight DINOs, an award that recognizes industry veterans for years of experience as well as contributions back to the additive manufacturing industry. The newly named DINOs are:

• Vince Anewenter, Milwaukee School of Engineering
• Derek Ellis, Computer Aided Technology, Inc.
• Andrew Graves, Stratasys Direct Manufacturing
• Steven Kossett, Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota
• Stephan Ritt, SLM Solutions
• Harold Sears, Ford Motor Company
• Ed Tackett, University of California, Irvine
• Mark Wynn, Yazaki North America

Barfoot added, “This year’s DINO recipients have an average of nearly 20 years of experience in the additive manufacturing industry, but experience is only part of the criteria for this coveted award. To be a DINO, one must also give back to the industry, and these eight men have done that in a big way.” The new DINOs have been active within the AMUG community in a variety of roles, including board members, ambassadors, advisors, presenters, technical competition participants, workshop leaders and track leaders. Outside of AMUG, the DINOs are equally active, and they contribute to the advancement of the additive manufacturing industry.

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