Peter Reich, co-owner of LAEMPE REICH (Trussville, Alabama), began his one-year term this week as president of the American Foundry Society and the Institute for 2019-2020.
Reich was welcomed as the new AFS President during a luncheon at CastExpo 2019 in Atlanta. The previous president, Jean 
Bye, presented Reich with the ceremonial AFS rammer during the Annual Banquet. Bye, president and CEO of Dotson Iron Castings (Mankato, Minnesota), now serves as AFS Immediate Past President.
“The American Foundry Society welcomes Peter Reich as our president for the coming year,” AFS CEO Doug Kurkul said. “He brings creative insights and commitment to fulfilling the AFS mission of advocacy, education, and innovation. We also want to express deepest gratitude to Jean Bye for her dedication and leadership during the past year.”
Reich is a strong proponent of servant leadership, and believes in leading by example.
“This is all about serving. It’s an honor,” Reich told Annual Banquet attendees. “We’re the servants, and you’re who we’re serving.”
Other officers elected to the AFS Board of Directors are Vice President Michael Lenahan, CEO of KB Foundry Services (Independence, Ohio), and 2nd Vice President Jim Frost, director quality systems & compliance for AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe Company (Birmingham, Alabama).
Making up the 2019-2023 Directors Class are Patrick Ameen (VP industry relations, Amsted Rail, Chicago), John Haas (president, Cadillac Castings Inc., Cadillac, Michigan), Angela Dine Schmeisser (president and CEO, St. Marys Foundry Inc., St. Marys, Ohio), and John Lancaster (plant manager, General Motors, Saginaw, Michigan).