AMUG Announces Board of Directors for 2023-2024

MILWAUKEE, WI, June 1, 2023 – The Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) announced the election of four individuals to its Board of Directors. Heather Natal, Jordan Weston, Thomas Sorovetz, and Tim Bell will serve as Secretary, Director of Education & Conference, Director of Event & Hospitality, and Director of Sponsors & Exhibitors, respectively.

The 2023-2024 AMUG Board. Officers (top row, from left): Mark Abshire, Shannon VanDeren, Robin Van Bragt, and Heather Natal. Directors and Ex Officio members (bottom row): Gary Rabinovitz, Jordan Weston, Thomas Sorovetz, Tim Bell, Carl Dekker, and Vince Anewenter.

Weston, Sorovetz, and Bell were re-elected for second terms as Directors in a vote of confidence. Natal will serve on the AMUG Board for the first time as an Officer, filling the void left by Leslie Frost, who opted not to run for a third term as Secretary.

Separately, the AMUG Board appointed Robin Van Bragt as Treasurer, which is also an officer position. After serving in that position for ten years, Vince Anewenter decided to step down. However, he will continue to support the board as the Immediate Past Treasurer.

These newly elected and appointed individuals have been actively involved in AMUG and the AMUG Conference for many years and in many capacities. Each has also received AMUG’s coveted DINO Award, which recognizes selfless service to AMUG, its members, and the additive manufacturing community.

Mark Abshire, AMUG president, said, “I look forward to working with our 2023-2024 Board of Directors. I welcome our newest board members, Robin Van Bragt (Treasurer) and Heather Natal (Secretary). I also congratulate Jordan Weston (Director of Education and Conference), Tom Sorovetz (Director of Event and Hospitality), and Tim Bell (Director of Sponsors and Exhibitors) on their re-elections.”

The multi-year terms for these positions will commence on July 1, 2023. The balance of the board includes four elected positions and one appointed position, each with one year remaining in their terms, as well as the Past President and Immediate Past Treasurer.

The 2023- 2024 AMUG Board members are:

  • Officers
    • President: Mark Abshire, Retired
    • Vice President: Shannon VanDeren, Layered Manufacturing and Consulting
    • Treasurer: Robin Van Bragt, Eagle Design & Technology, Inc.
    • Secretary: Heather Natal, GoEngineer
  • Directors
    • Director at Large: Gary Rabinovitz, Reebok International
    • Director of Education & Conference: Jordan Weston, Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)
    • Director of Events and Hospitality: Thomas Sorovetz. T. A. Sorovetz, LLC
    • Director of Membership: to be appointed
    • Director of Sponsors & Exhibitors: Tim Bell, MELD Manufacturing Corporation
  • Ex Officio
    • Past President: Carl Dekker, Met-L-Flo
    • Immediate Past Treasurer: Vince Anewenter, Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE)

Following the AMUG Conference, Jason Dickman resigned as Director of Membership, citing time commitments as chairman and CTO of ClassIQmfg.com. Per the AMUG Bylaws, the board will appoint an individual to serve the remainder of Dickman’s term. Abshire said, “I would like to thank Jason Dickman for his service this past year as Director of Membership.”

The board’s primary responsibilities will include building the program for the 2024 conference, soliciting support from businesses in the additive manufacturing industry, and overseeing the event’s day-to-day activities. The five-day conference will feature hands-on workshops, instructional sessions, technical presentations, AMUGexpo, and an off-site dinner. The 2024 AMUG Conference will be held in Chicago, IL, from March 10 – 14.

About Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG)

AMUG is an organization that educates and advances the uses and applications of additive manufacturing technologies. AMUG members include those with industrial additive manufacturing/3D printing solutions used for professional purposes from companies such as Dyndrite, GoEngineer, Nexa3D, Evonik, Tekna, DMG MORI, Stratasys, EOS, Würth Additive Group, Meltio, and ADDiTEC. AMUG meets annually to provide education and training through technical presentations on processes and new technologies. This information addresses the operation of additive manufacturing equipment and the applications that use the parts they make.

For more information, visit online at www.amug.com.