The American Foundry Society welcomed a new elected leader to its Board of Directors following the inauguration of Angela Schmeisser as AFS President for 2024-2025.
Schmeisser’s term officially started at the conclusion of Metalcasting Congress 2024, which ran April 23–25 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Society’s annual meeting attracted more than 2,700 attendees, 100 presenters, and 250 exhibitors to the Baird Center.
Schmeisser is Managing Director of St. Marys Foundry in St. Marys, Ohio. She succeeds Bradford Muller (Vice President of Marketing, Charlotte Pipe & Foundry), who is now Immediate Past President. Schmeisser brings with her a history of involvement in AFS advocacy, including participation in the AFS Government Affairs Fly-In.
"We're delighted to welcome Angela Schmeisser as our new President, and we extend our sincere appreciation to outgoing President Brad Muller for his outstanding leadership," stated AFS CEO Doug Kurkul. "The important strength of AFS lies in our diverse Board of Directors, comprised of dedicated leaders who truly represent the breadth of the North American metalcasting industry."
David Gilson (Sales and Marketing Director, SinterCast) moved into the role of Vice President. Joining the Board as 2nd Vice President is John Lancaster (Plant Director, General Motors). Rotating off the Board is outgoing Immediate Past President Adam San Solo (Industry Consultant, Adam San Solo and Associates).
AFS also welcomed a new Directors Class at Metalcasting Congress 2024. Making up the 2024-2028 Class are Susan Bear (Chief Technology Officer, Grede Castings), Bob Braun, (Retired President, Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry), Kelley Kerns (Director of New Business Development, HA International, LLC), and Paul Leonard (Investment Casting and Six Sigma Expert).
The American Foundry Society is a dynamic technical and advocacy organization that serves and represents the $50 billion metalcasting industry. AFS is the only association serving the entire industry, including all metals and processes, with a three-part focus on advocacy, education, and innovation. AFS also publishes Modern Casting and Casting Source magazines and presents Metalcasting Congress and CastExpo, the largest metalcasting trade events in North America. Founded in 1896, the organization is based in Schaumburg, Illinois, with an advocacy office in Washington, D.C. More information is available at afsinc.org.