Robert J. Luedeka Of JP Hogan To Succeed Peters Lou Peters As Executive Director of PFA

Furniture World Magazine

The Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA) announced the retirement of Executive Director, Louis H. (Lou) Peters. Peters' retirement is effective December 31, 2004. Peters, who has served as the PFA's executive director since 1986, was instrumental in building the PFA from a loose association of manufacturers and suppliers into a strong and credible voice for the United States flexible polyurethane foam (FPF) industry. During his 18-year tenure, Peters and the PFA have become the principal source of industry information for manufacturers of products containing FPF, raw material suppliers, legislators, regulators, the press, and consumers. In remarks at the PFA's fall meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Peters said, “My experiences with the PFA are ones that I treasure. I am proud of the many accomplishments that the PFA and the industry have made over the last 25 years. I have had close personal relationships with my colleagues and have enjoyed their enthusiasm and dedication to building a solid foundation of knowledge and expertise surrounding the manufacture and sale of flexible polyurethane foam.” “Lou Peters is a leader and visionary and certainly was the right man for the job of guiding the PFA through its formative years and the many years of success that have followed,” said Vinnie Bonaddio, President of the PFA. “Lou has a gift for understanding and communicating complex issues, opportunities and trends and those gifts have catapulted the PFA to a position of world-wide respect within the flexible polyurethane foam community. His dedication and commitment to high standards has made our industry stronger and our products more relevant in the marketplace.” Peters' career and involvement with polyurethanes spans more than 34 years. He started his career with Union Carbide in 1955 after receiving his Chemical Engineering degree from Lehigh University. During a 30-year career with Union Carbide, Peters served in a variety of Research and Development, Sales and Marketing roles. He was also very active in the Polyurethane Foam Division of the Society of the Plastics Industry. Peters was one of the founding members of the PFA in 1980. After his retirement from Union Carbide, Peters was elected by the PFA as Executive Director in 1986. Under his leadership, the PFA has produced scores of reference materials, award winning publications and public service programs, technical programs, Internet resources and other products and services that make PFA a valuable resource to its members. As the PFA Executive Director, Peters championed the cause of fire safety and environmental responsibility. He is a founding member and chairman of the Fire Prevention Alliance and also serves as chairman of the Residential Fire Safety Institute, an organization largely funded by the United States Fire Administration and a number of private organizations. Mr. Peters has spoken widely in the U.S., abroad, and at governmental hearings on the importance of fire safety and environmental responsibility. Peters said he plans to remain involved in the industry in his retirement, consulting as needed with the PFA and remaining active in the Fire Prevention Alliance. His primary focus, however, will be his family, his hobbies and travel. Robert J. Luedeka was nominated by PFA's Executive Committee and elected by the PFA membership in Albuquerque to succeed Peters. About PFA: The mission of the Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA) is to educate customers and other groups about flexible polyurethane foam and to promote its use in manufactured and industrial products. This includes providing facts on environmental, health and safety issues related to polyurethane foam to the membership of PFA, polyurethane foam users, regulatory officials, business leaders and the media. PFA also provides its members and their customers with technical information on the performance of flexible polyurethane foam in consumer and industrial products. For more information on PFA visit the PFA website at www.pfa.org. PFA was founded in 1980.