New head of government affairs at SPI

Since 2001, Kurrle has been government relations director for the Assn. for Manufacturing Technology. Before that he was with the international law firm of Reed Smith, designing and carrying out lobbing programs for an array of manufacturing clients. From 1990-1994 he was a legislative assistant for Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-IL), working on issues of commerce and industrial competitiveness. He holds a B.A. degree in government from William & Mary (Williamsburg, VA).

Carteaux said he thinks the new Obama administration and the just-seated Congress are certain to increase efforts to create policy and legislation that “could significantly impact” the bottom line of SPI member companies. Kurrle is charged with building a cohesive strategy for placing the agenda of the plastics industry in front of policy makers at all levels. Carteaux added that he was extremely optimistic about what SPI can accomplish in the public policy arena in 2009.—[email protected]