Association News

2020 Can Be a Year of Education and Networking

event attendees The new year presents several exciting opportunities for those who manufacture and work with valves, actuators and related products. All VMA events are designed to help further knowledge of the valve industry, and provide a way to meet with peers, exchange ideas and make valuable contacts.

The year starts off with the VMA Leadership Forum, Feb. 27-28 in New Orleans, LA. This year’s agenda has been designed to broaden the reach to include not only the top-level executives of VMA and VRC companies, but also the up-and-coming leaders within each company who seek to sharpen their skills in managing operations and in decision-making. The conference addresses some of the most critical issues facing the industry today, including:

Heather Rhoderick Takes Over as VMA President

After an exhaustive search by the Executive Search Committee, Heather Rhoderick, CAE, was named president of the Valve Manufacturers Association (VMA).

“I’m honored to join the team at VMA as their president. The association has a strong record of success in serving the flow control industry, and I look forward to working with the membership and staff to build on that,” Rhoderick said.

She takes on the role previously held by William “Bill” Sandler, who retired this year after more than 40 years with the organization, 22 of those years as president.

Annual Meeting: Sandler Celebrated, New VMA Leaders Announced

Bill Sandler spent much of the 81st VMA/VRC annual meeting being surprised and honored for his 42 years of service to the association and the valve industry. The retiring Sandler, who served as president of the association for half of those 42 years, was honored in several ways during the meeting Sept. 25-27, 2019 at The Breakers, Palm Beach, FL. The recognition became when Sandler, the board, his family and friends were on-hand at a surprise party and roast held after the chairmen’s reception the night before the meeting started.

VMA President Bill Sandler Announces Retirement

After more than four decades as a VMA staff member and more than two as its leader, VMA President This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. announced he will retire at the end of 2019. He made the announcement during a VMA board of directors meeting Wednesday, March 27.

Sandler has the longest-running tenure of any employee at the association ever and is second only to founding leader George Cooper as far as how many years he’s been president. He is only the sixth person to serve in that slot in the association’s 80-year history.

National Compassion Fund and Mueller Create Aurora/Pratt Survivors’ Fund

On Feb. 25, 2019, the National Compassion Fund and Mueller Water Products announced creation of the Aurora/Pratt Survivors’ Fund to aid families of victims and employees physically injured or traumatized by their presence at the February 15 shooting in Aurora, IL, at Henry Pratt Company, a Mueller subsidiary.

Five Henry Pratt employees lost their lives that day.