AFS has named Shelly Dutler as its new director of education of the AFS Institute, effective September 1. The selection was made after a national search and selection process.
“It’s an exciting time at the AFS Institute and Shelly Dutler is the perfect person to lead it to new heights,” said Doug Kurkul, AFS CEO. “Shelly has worked tirelessly as a curriculum development manager, helping AFS launch its e-learning initiative and expand its classroom offerings. Shelly will draw on her background in engineering, education and the private sector to help AFS advance the “Education” pillar of its vision.“
In her new role, Dutler will have overall responsibility for the delivery of education to the metalcasting industry through the Institute, including responsibility for the Institute’s financial performance and day-to-day operations.
Dutler joined AFS as curriculum development manager in September 2014. In that role, she managed course development projects by overseeing instructional designers and subject matter experts, both in-house and remote, to produce skills training that meets established adult learning and quality standards for accurate technical content.
Dutler has a Master’s degree in material science and engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s degree in manufacturing technology-metalcasting from the University of Northern Iowa. Dutler spent 5 years as a drafter/modeler for John Deere, and 12 years as a client development manager and project engineer at Magma Foundry Technologies. Dutler is also a STEM volunteer for the Society of Women Engineers and is a member of the advisory board for metalcasting for the University of Northern Iowa technology department.
The American Foundry Society is a not-for-profit organization formed in 1896. With its headquarters in Schaumburg, Ill., AFS provides members and consumers with information and services to promote and strengthen the metalcasting industry.