Only 316 SPE members, including the current group, have earned Honored Service Member status since it was created in 1992.
Candidates must have demonstrated long-term, outstanding service to, and support of, SPE and its objectives.
New Honored Service Members are:
Paul Andersen was nominated by the Extrusion Division. Andersen was SPE president for the 2009-2010 year, and he served on the executive committee from 2004-2011. He has been an active member of the Extrusion Division's board of directors since 1990. Andersen has authored numerous technical papers for Antecs and TopCons. He wrote the chapter on twin-screw extrusion for the SPE Plastics Technicians Toolbox.
Brian Landes was nominated by the Engineering Properties and Structures Division, where he has served since 1997 in a variety of roles, including chair, councilor, technical program chair and TopCon technical chair. Landes also has served as Division Chair for two years. SPE said he is especially being recognized for his passion for student activities, mentoring, teaching and networking — he has been active in best paper, best student paper and best student poster committees and judging since the late 1990s. Landes also volunteers with SPE's Next Generation Advisory Board.
Prithu Mukhopadhyay was nominated by the Quebec Section. In a long involvement with SPE, he has served as president and councilor of the Quebec Section, as well as worked on the Plastic Pipe and Fittings Special Interest Group. He was instrumental in the creation and growth of the Plastics in Building and Construction SIG. His key contribution to SPE has been as a member of the New Technology Committee since 1998, and serving as chair in 2005-2007. Mukhopadhyay has helped develop the Antec New Technology Forums since 2000.
Kimberly Rush, nominated by the Chicago Section, has served on the section's Educational Foundation in a variety of positions, including multiple terms as president. She is recognized for her efforts with the foundation's annual fundraiser, the Supplier's Night Expo, raising tens of thousands of dollars for matching grants and scholarships.
John R. Wagner Jr. was nominated by the Flexible Packaging Division. He joined SPE in 1969, and has served on the division's board since 1984. Wagner was elected as an SPE Fellow in 1998. He has served on several Extrusion Division committees, and chaired the division in 1996. Wagner was involved in forming the Flexible Packaging Division from a special interest group to become one of SPE's top divisions. He is editor of the Journal of Plastic Film & Sheeting.
Mark Wolverton was nominated by the Chicago Section and the Product Design and Development Division. He has served as an officer for the section and the division, including section president and division treasurer. Wolverton is a member of the Plastics Pioneers Association. He is known for industrial leadership in applications and process development, technical service and failure analysis for engineering and commodity thermoplastic resins and composites.
