Hodge is president of R&B Plastics Machinery, and prior to joining that company had been with Portage Industries, Legitt and Platt, and Davis Standard. He has lectured at Penn State University on extrusion technology and served on SPI's Equipment Council.
Richmond, who has been in the plastics business since 1977, is global quote systems manager for Nypro. Prior to joining Nypro, he was a product specialist and key account manager for Ferromatik Milacron, and has also worked with KraussMaffei, Hunkar Labs, and HPM.
A member of the Plastic Pioneers Association must have at least 25 years in the industry and be nominated by an existing member before his or her contributions to the advancement of the plastics industry are considered.