Our goal at the American Foundry Society is to deliver a high-quality experience no matter how one interacts with us––whether it is calling our Technical Services team to discuss a casting challenge, strategizing on OSHA or EPA matters with our Washington-based team members, attending an event or meeting, taking an AFS Institute course, or coming to our resource-rich website. 

AFS exists to serve our membership: the 1,040 companies and nearly 6,000 persons who comprise the AFS membership; and to advance the goals of the $50 billion metalcasting industry. 

Earlier in my career, I was Vice President of Member Communications & Marketing Services for the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in Washington, D.C. Our office was two blocks from the White House—a daily reminder of the importance of business-government relations. 

At that time, the NAM had approximately 160 employees. Then as now, the NAM did great work to advance a pro-manufacturing business climate. 

Compared to the larger size of the NAM and some other associations, AFS has fewer employees––just under 30––yet, with the indispensable support of our nearly 1,000 volunteers, we implement a vital six-part strategic plan:

• Fostering member success and sustainability.

• Leading industry-stewardship outreach 
activities. 

• Advocating for pro-metalcasting public policies. 

• Promoting the use of metal castings.

• Offering talent development programs.

• And fostering technical innovation. 

As a part of this smaller-sized staff, every team member wears multiple hats. Our performance goals are tied directly to the strategic plan and are evaluated regularly. Team members support one another in meeting our members’ needs. AFS employees can be reached via our HQ phone number (847-824-0101) or via email (first initial and last name@afsinc.org.)

• Our Technical Services team is comprised of Brian Began, Sue Thomas, Bo Wallace, Kim Perna, Greg Kramer and Travis Frush. Thomas Prucha is our contract Editor of the International Journal of Metalcasting. 

• The Business Development team members are Ben Yates, Fabio Cavalieri, Kim Farrugia, Larry Nigh, Jim Gorzek, and contract Editor Kim Phelan.

• The Marketing team includes John Belmont, Tyler Buchenot, and Bill Finn.

• Implementing the education and training programs that so many foundries and OEMs depend upon from the AFS Institute are Jen Christian and Shelby Goldman. 

• The IT, Trade Show & Operations Department team members are Mike Lakas, Rich Fett, Barb Jackowski, Katie Matticks, Carmen Rodriguez, Tony Perrone and Deana Barrueta.

 • Behind the scenes, our fine Accounting & Finance Department colleagues are Chris Oswald, Valerie Stramaglia, and Inga Blistrabas.

• Cathy Potts is the Senior Director of Human Resources & Administrative Services.

• In the nation’s capital, Stephanie Salmon is AFS’s Washington Representative for legislative and OSHA matters. Jeff Hannapel and Christian Richter are our environmental experts for EPA-related matters. 

Each team member is hired both for their job skills but also their commitment to providing superior member service. New employees complete a highly-detailed onboarding and orientation program to ensure that they understand how their own work fits into the success of the foundry industry as well as that of our corporate and individual members. 
Whether your goal is to optimize the quality of your castings, improve your sales, better recruit and train your workforce, help us lobby Congress, or bolster the safety and environmental quality at your facility, AFS has resources to advance your success. Please contact us whenever we can be helpful!