OFFICERS
Rob Ward
PEMA President
Rob Ward is President of U.S. Operations of Russell Finex Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Russell Finex Ltd. The company is a global manufacturer of separation and filtration equipment, and Rob has been with them for 20 years, with roles in the U.K. and the U.S. With a background in sales and engineering, he has held various positions in the company, including Vice President of Sales. Prior to his Russell Finex employment, Rob worked for a U.K. engineering company in the automotive industry. He has a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Newcastle Upon Tyne. Rob and his wife Anne have two children and live in Charlotte, NC.
Rod Henricks
PEMA Vice President
Rod Henricks is Director of Sales for Bunting Magnetics Co. Previously he was Product Manager for Metal Detection, and held an earlier sales management position with the company. Rod has been with Bunting since 2009. Outside of Bunting, Rod was in senior management of two companies that manufactured transportation equipment (truck bodies and trailers). Those were acquired by private equity, one in the late 1990’s, the second in early 2000’s. Rod is a former member of NTEA (National Truck Equipment Association) and their Young Executives Network (YEN). He also has held committee positions with the Wichita Chamber of Commerce (State Legislative Committee). A lifelong resident of Kansas, Rod enjoys having family close by. Oldest son Nathaniel is a Junior at Kansas State University majoring in Geographic Information Systems. Barron, age 10, is developing his talent with PGA Junior Golf.
Birte Mathis
PEMA Treasurer
Birte Mathis is CEO of Jacob Tubing, L.P. where she has worked since its entry into the U.S. market in 1998. In this role, she serves the needs of Jacob client companies in all of North, South, and Central America. Birte was instrumental in transitioning the company from a sales office to a manufacturing facility. Her team of more than 26 manufacture and deliver high- quality steel tubing, which is used in the manufacture of an array of products ranging from coffee to NASCAR components to the latest developments in space travel. Birte graduated with an engineering degree from the University of Florida. She and her husband Kent reside in Germantown, TN with her two stepdaughters and two rescue dogs. They are passionate about impacting the lives of humans and canines and work with the local homeless population and serve as a founding Board member of a near-by animal rescue.
Bill Werra
PEMA Immediate Past President
Bill Werra is Vice President & General Manager of Commercial Operations for Sentry Equipment Corporation in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. He came to Sentry in 2003 and previous roles held include Vice President of Sentry’s Process Business Unit and Regional Sales Manager. Leading their Corporate Development team, Bill is responsible for the planning and execution of a wide range of growth strategies, including M&A, strategic partnerships, market, product and business development. During his tenure, Sentry has completed nine acquisitions and three divestitures, which today account approximately 50% of total the company’s revenue. Bill has more than 20 years of experience providing technical solutions to industrial clients worldwide ranging from material handling, bulk solids metering, sampling and sample conditioning. He holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Economics from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and volunteers his time on boards and committees including ACG, the local chamber of commerce and the Boy Scouts of America. Bill lives in a suburb of Milwaukee with his wife Cheryl and their two children.
Elizabeth B. Armstrong, MAM, CAE, QAS
PEMA Executive Director & Secretary
Elizabeth Armstrong is Executive Director for the Process Equipment Manufacturers’ Association. Beth is the president of Association and Society Management International (ASMI) – PEMA’s management company – and chief staff executive for several of its clients, leading service teams and ensuring the annual work plans are executed successfully. She began her career as PEMA’s membership and statistics manager in the late 80s. Beth’s areas of expertise include service delivery approaches for non-profit organizations, board and committee management, non-profit account, marketing, and member services. She is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and the AMC Institute. Beth holds a BBA in Marketing from the College of William and Mary and a Master of Association Management from The George Washington University. She is a Certified Association Executive (CAE credential earned through ASAE); and a Qualified Association Specialist (QAS credential earned through the Florida Society of Association Executives).
Harry (Buzz) W. Buzzerd, Jr., CAE
PEMA Management Counsel
Harry (Buzz) W. Buzzerd, Jr., CAE, has served as Management Counsel to the Process Equipment Manufacturers’ Association since 1983. He began his association management career in 1964 and holds a CAE (Certified Association Executive) designation. He earned a B.A. from Gettysburg College, along with extensive graduate and professional education. In addition to his work with PEMA, Buzz is Management Counsel to the Association of Vacuum Equipment Manufacturers and the American Textile Machinery Association. He is Chairman and owner of Association and Society Management International, Inc., which he founded in 1982.