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VMA and VRC Annual Meeting Elicits Positive Attendee Experiences The Valve Manufacturers Association (VMA) celebrated its 86th Annual Meeting October 2-4, 2024, in Park City, Utah, with strong attendance and positive reviews from attendees.
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VMA and VRC Annual Meeting Elicits Positive Attendee Experiences

The Valve Manufacturers Association (VMA) celebrated its 86th Annual Meeting October 2-4, 2024, in Park City, Utah, with strong attendance and positive reviews from attendees. Attendee evaluations from the event indicated that all in attendance were satisfied or extremely satisfied with the peer networking and speaker quality and topics.

VMA and VRC members network during cocktail hour.
Source: VMA

The event offered industry leaders a valuable platform to explore how global manufacturing, political and economic outlooks may impact the industry’s future. Attendees heard from experts on transforming business operations for increased profit, the business landscape in India, and regulatory and trade compliance topics. Also shared were successful strategies to retain and attract employees, and examples of AI usage, including concerns about cautions when using AI to protect intellectual property. Deep dives into the mining industry from a local mine company employee and of oil and gas were presented.

In addition to the array of content, the Annual Meeting provided many opportunities for networking and relationship building. Industry leaders and peers connected during social activities, fostering deeper collaboration across the sector.

Gil Welsford (ValveMan), Matt Thiel (AUMA) and Seth Guterman (American Valve) discuss employee engagement, AI and other topics at the Annual Meeting. 

VMA Business Meeting Provides a 2024 Review and Look Ahead to 2025

During the Annual Meeting, the VMA held its annual Business Meeting, where VMA’s leadership presented key activities from 2024 and 2025 plans.

Andy Duffy, VMA Chairman of the Board, who has spent his career with Emerson, and Heather Rhoderick, VMA president, reviewed some key highlights since the last Business Meeting. These highlights include:

  • Submitting proposals to have industrial valves/actuators/controls identified as a “currently unavoidable use” of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)  so our members can continue to manufacture, distribute and ship products as they have been doing.
  • Providing education on technical, manufacturing and business topics at three events.
  • Reaching over 100,000 readers online through Valve articles.
  • Monitoring and communicating updates on regulations and legislations impacting our members.
  • Creating a user-friendly online resource library for members.

Kirk Wilson of Flowserve, VMA Executive Committee member, highlighted the coming year. The VMA will focus on ongoing government affairs activities due to the increasing number of regulations and legislative activities affecting the industry. Additionally, events and education continue to be important with the Valve Forum, Hydrogen + Energy Valve Summit, VRC Valve Repair Seminar and the VMA/VRC Annual Meeting all scheduled for 2025. Other key focus areas include developing new products and information on market trends and valve industry statistical data; increasing member engagement and services; growing VMA membership, and reviewing and updating the strategic plan for the next few years.

VMA members can find more information on the Business Meeting in the VMA Members Resources Library.
 

Congratulations to VMA’s Membership Award Winners

VMA is excited to announce and congratulate the 2024 Person of the Year and Service Award winners!

The Person of the Year award is VMA’s highest honor and is given to one individual annually. The winner truly possesses a passion for the industry and shares their knowledge with others to help advance the VMA and the industry at large.

Andy Duffy receives his award from Heather Rhoderick, President of the VMA.
Source: VMA

Andy Duffy, Vice President Discrete Automation at Emerson, was recognized in 2024 for his leadership over the past year and throughout his career. Most recently, Andy has been instrumental in guiding the VMA through several changes to benefit our members including launching the PFAS Workshop, highlighting sustainability at the Hydrogen Valve Summit and helping relocate the VMA office. He also led efforts to coalesce the membership on steps to take around PFAS activities.

Mitch Anderson with VMA President Heather Rhoderick.
Source: VMA

Mitch Anderson of Bray International Inc. received the 2024 Service Award. Mitch has been an Education and Training Committee member, presenting both in person and virtually for the Valve Basics program and offering webinars. He also helped with government affairs efforts and with other VMA events, always sharing his expertise.

Heather Rhoderick, VMA’s president stated: “VMA strives to serve our member companies and contribute to the growth and innovation of the U.S. and Canadian industrial valve industry globally. We could not do that without the exceptional efforts of individuals like Andy and Mitch, and we are honored to have them help lead the Association. Congratulations to both!”

VMA Welcomes New Members

VMA welcomes Precision Spray & Coatings as a supplier member. The company specializes in high-velocity oxygen fuel (HVOF) coating services and advanced chrome plating solutions tailored to meet the unique requirements of their clients. In business since 2010, they are based in Houston, Texas. Find out more at www.precision-houston.com

VMA welcomes Rotork as a member! Rotork is a global provider of mission-critical flow control and instrumentation solutions for the industrial actuation and flow control markets. These include oil and gas, water and wastewater, power, chemical processing and industrial applications. Rotork has been in business since 1957, and currently serves 170 countries. Find out more at www.rotork.com.

2024 William Sandler VMA Scholarship Winners

VMA is proud to present William Sandler Scholarship awards to two outstanding students who are pursuing studies in STEM fields related to our industry, and whose parents or guardians work for VMA or VRC member companies.

Jack Lambin: Jack is attending the University of Kentucky where he is working toward a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. His father is employed by Crane Nuclear. 

Stephanie Mabe: Stephanie is attending Worcester Polytechnical Institute, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in robotic engineering. Her father is employed by EGC Operating Company, LLC. [headshot]

VMA and VRC members can find information about the 2025 scholarship at vma.org/sandlerscholar.
















VRC Members Gather and Plan for 2025

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Valve Repair Council (VRC). At this year’s Annual Meeting in Park City, Utah, we recognized the longstanding service of Kim Beise, CEO of Dowco Valve Company, as Chair of the VRC Board of Directors. We welcomed Chris Jones, Director of Final Control Services at Midwest Valve Services, as the incoming Chair of VRC.

Kim Beise (Dowco) hands the ceremonial gavel off to Chris Jones (Midwest Valve Services), new chairman of the VRC.
Source: VMA

Three days of programming and networking made for a very productive conference, including a constructive VRC Business Meeting where members discussed several opportunities for the Council’s growth and engagement. In the coming months, members will be surveyed on several operational topics and invited to a virtual end-of-year review. In planning for 2025, be sure to mark your calendars for the Valve Repair Seminar, which will offer a day-and-a-half of education and a facility tour from June 2-3, 2025, in Pasadena, Texas.

Save the Date
Don’t miss any of these events! Visit www.vma.org/events
(link: https://www.vma.org/events/event_list.asp)

  • April 8, 2025: Hydrogen + Energy Valve Summit – Orlando, FL
  • April 8-10, 2025: Valve Forum - Conference & Exhibits – Orlando, FL
  • June 2-3, 2025: Valve Repair Seminar – Pasadena, TX

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