SPE director Susan Oderwald to step down

Susan Oderwald will step down as the executive director of the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) at the end of 2011.

She joined SPE as deputy executive director in 2001 and became executive director in 2004. 

As the fortunes of the plastics industry ebbed and flowed during Oderwald’s time in office, the SPE underwent membership fluxes. Membership has since stabilized at nearly 20,000 members, according to the SPE website.

“The eleven years that I’ve been with SPE have been very rewarding, but it’s time for me to move on to new professional challenges,” Oderwald said. “The SPE faced some very difficult times during my tenure, and I’m proud that our staff and leadership team pulled together to overcome the challenges we faced. I’m pleased that I will be leaving the Society in good financial health and poised to expand its membership and operations globally.”

According to an SPE press release, the association’s Executive Committee is in the process of selecting a firm to conduct a search for a new executive director.