The Valve Manufacturers Association (VMA) membership elected the 2022-2023 board of directors, following the announcement of the slate of candidates at its Annual Meeting, which took place in September. VMA’s chairman of the board for the 2022-2023 year is Matt Thiel, president of AUMA Actuators Inc.

“The industrial valve industry is facing new challenges, and Ron Warren’s leadership over the last year has positioned VMA to be ready to tackle tomorrow’s issues as we implement the three-year strategic plan that was approved last year.” said incoming chair, Matt Thiel. “It’s an honor to continue what Ron and the other chairs who have served before me have started while adding my own legacy to the VMA. I look forward to serving as chair as our industry transitions from pandemic recovery to taking on new challenges such as energy transition and sustainability, workforce development, supply chain delays and material shortages, and any other issues that may come up during my tenure.”

Andy Duffy, vice president of sales, Emerson/ASCO, will serve as the 2022-2023 vice chairman of the board and treasurer. Other members of the executive committee include the following: 

Nathan Brunell, product line general manager; Baker Hughes Kirk Wilson, president, Flow Control Division; Flowserve; and Ron Warren, president and chief operating officer of Bray International Inc., who serves as Immediate past chair. 

In addition to the executive committee, the following VMA members are returning as board members:

• Alejandro Alcala, senior vice president, Crane Co.
• Mark Claffey, president, Trillium Valves USA
• Danilo Garcia, president, RF Valves Inc.
• Seth Guterman, CEO, American Valve
• David Loula, director of global products and markets, ITT Engineered Valves
• Kevin McKown, regional president, Americas – IMI Critical Engineering 
• Kevin J. Tinsley, senior vice president of global operations, Valmet
• Rob Velan, executive vice president, MRO and aftermarket; and vice chairman of the board, Velan Valve Corp.
• Brian Wright, president/CEO, A-T Controls

The board of directors also approved Andrew Masullo, senior general manager of Curtiss Wright's valves division, who was elected to a three-year term.