The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) has elected three new members to the executive committee of its Industrial Advisory Board (IAB). Dr.-Ing. Martin Lehmann, principal expert research network and public funding at Mann+Hummel in Ludwigsburg, Germany; Dr. SA Ravishankar, R&D manager for nonwoven product technologies at Saint-Gobain Research North America in Northboro, MA and Arnold Wilkie, president, Hills, Inc. in West Melbourne, FL, were each elected during the Fall 2023 IAB meeting.

The strong tie between Industry and Academia is a hallmark of The Nonwovens Institute.  Each of its more than 50 member organizations have representation on the IAB, which reviews proposed and existing programs and recommends alternatives or additions and provides review over Institute budgets and policies. The IAB also elects the nine-member executive committee, which provides higher level member oversight and policy guidance.  In addition, the executive committee makes recommendations to Institute Leadership with regard to the composition of the Strategic Scientific Advisory Board (SSAB) and collaborates with Leadership to select SSAB members.  Many of the IAB and SSAB members actively mentor NC State graduate students in NWI’s fundamental nonwovens research program, while also acting as ambassadors for the Institute across the industry.