Letter from the Chair

IMD Chair’s Report – Reflections & Recommendations

The Injection Molding Division Board held our final meeting of this term on June 10, 2025, hosted at Penn State Behrend in conjunction with the Innovation and Emerging Plastics Technologies Conference. A special thanks to Brad Johnson, IMD Board Member and Conference Chair, for graciously hosting both our meeting and our participation in this forward-looking industry event. Looking Back on Our Priorities As we close out the term, I want to revisit the key objectives I set at the beginning of the board term. These were intended to guide our work, and while we’ve made meaningful progress, there is still opportunity for continued growth and refinement. 1.Collaborative Content Partnerships One of our main goals was to encourage more collaboration in the development of technical content. We’ve begun to see this materialize — through initiatives like our “Week of Injection Molding” and our planned 2026 event with the Cleveland Section — and I encourage the board to continue building both internal and external partnerships across SPE to deliver relevant, well-attended programming. 2.Project-Focused Committees While some progress has been made, we still need to formalize and activate more committees. Moving forward, I recommend that every board member participate in at least one standing or project-based committee. This will help distribute responsibilities more evenly and create stronger engagement across the board. 3. Increasing Visibility at Strategic Venues We’ve made a strategic pivot to position IMD at established industry events — such as ANTEC, NPE, and others — in addition to hosting our own stand-alone gatherings. This will increase our visibility and engagement, and I believe it’s a strategy worth continuing into the future. 4. Establishing and Using KPIs This year, we introduced Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to help track committee goals and outcomes. For example, Eric Foltz has shared KPIs for membership, and Angela has incorporated them into communications. Setting measurable targets — even modest ones like a net growth of 10–25 members annually — allows us to track real progress. Financial KPIs around sponsorships should also be defined. More funding means more programming and more value for our members. KPIs are more than just numbers — they are a tool to ensure we are continually moving forward. 5. Commitment from All Board Members Board service should go beyond attending meetings. Today, a small number of individuals carry most of the workload. That is not sustainable. For the division to thrive, every member must actively contribute — whether through committees, initiatives, or special projects aligned with their skills. 6. Strengthening Communications and Social Media Angela’s efforts in communications have been outstanding, and we should continue building on that work. We need to promote both upcoming and completed events, so members see the value of participation — and feel they’ve missed out if they didn’t attend. This drives visibility, engagement, and credibility. 7. Sponsorship and Financial Growth Each of us brings a valuable professional network. By tapping into those connections for sponsorship opportunities, we expand our resources and our reach. While we are fiscally responsible, more revenue gives us the ability to do more — and as previously mentioned, deliver greater member value. 8. Encouraging In-Person Participation I recommend that each board member attend at least one in-person meeting per term. While virtual meetings are efficient, they lack the personal connection needed to build strong collaboration. We’ve made efforts to create meaningful in-person gatherings, yet attendance has been inconsistent. Making a physical appearance matters — for relationships and for impact. 9. Future-Proofing IMD Ensuring the longevity of the division depends on actively bringing in and empowering younger professionals. We’ve started this effort, but it must continue — intentionally and persistently. As many of us consider stepping back, we have a responsibility to mentor the next generation, and pass the torch so the division remains strong and forward-looking. Closing Thoughts I want to express my sincere gratitude to the entire IMD Board — and especially to our division officers — for their dedication, leadership, and collaboration throughout this term. It has been an honor to serve as IMD Chair. Thank you all for your trust, support, and contributions. I hope we continue building on our progress — with clarity, shared ownership, and a commitment to delivering lasting value to our IMD members and the greater SPE community.   David Kusuma, Ph.D. Chair, SPE Injection Molding Division