The Plastics Pipe Institute Inc. (PPI)

Seasoned Industry Veteran Gary Morgan of Borealis Continues at the Helm as Chair

The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) has announced its new Board of Directors, effective June 1, 2024.  PPI is the major North American association representing the plastics pipe industry.

“Our board has always exemplified the depth of experience and knowledge that members have counted on within our association,” stated David M. Fink, president of PPI.  “There are certainly new positive challenges within our industry and association including how to manage the growth in the use of plastic pipe, and how to accommodate new members.  We had record attendance at our past three membership meetings.  I am confident that this new slate of directors will enable PPI to satisfy those requirements, and I thank them in advance for their service to PPI and the industry.”

The past and current PPI Board of Directors, from top, Doug Keller, LyondellBasell, past chair, Jim Johnston, McElroy, vice chair, Gary Morgan, Borealis, chair, David Fink, president, PPI, Carl Baker, Shell Polymers, Power & Communications Division past chair, Dell Doyle, Dow, advisory council representative, Dustin Langston, WL Plastics, Energy Piping Systems Division past chair, Stefan Lupke Croma, Drainage Division past chair, Kate Olinger, Uponor, treasurer, and Barb Donaldson, Sovereign Pipe, Municipal & Industrial Division past chair. Not pictured, Joe Poniatowski, Asahi-America, PPI Building & Construction Division past chair.

The returning board members are:

• Gary Morgan of Borealis, Chair
• Jim Johnston of McElory Manufacturing, Vice Chair
• Doug Keller of LyondellBasell, Past Chair
• Kate Olinger of Uponor, Treasurer
• Dell Doyle of Dow Chemical Company, Advisory Council Representative

Plus, David M. Fink, PPI staff representative.  Members of the board serve for two years, and then move up to the next position.

Additionally, the chairs of each PPI division have a seat on the board.  Joining the PPI board in 2024 are:

• Bill Melvin of Legend Valve, Building & Construction Division Chair
• Craig Douglass of Fratco, Drainage Division Chair
• Mike Leathers of Pipeline Plastics, Energy Piping Systems Division Chair
• Heath Casteel of Performance Pipe, Municipal & Industrial Division Chair
• Christian Herrild of Teel Plastics, Power & Communications Division Chair

PPI Chair Morgan. who has actively participated in PPI activities during the past 22 years, has a diverse background in the plastics industry.  He began his plastics career designing extrusion equipment for 15 years followed by managing the R&D department for a major PEX tubing manufacturer.  Morgan’s experiences also include roles in quality assurance and managing plumbing codes and standards before taking the role of application development engineer for Borealis Compounds Inc., where he works today.

PPI Board Chair Gary Morgan

“I’ve witnessed,” he said, “in the past five to seven years, PPI working more hand-in-hand with other plastics-based trade associations to build synergies between the different organizations to overall promote the plastics pipe industry.

“I think the other big thing that has evolved at PPI during the last decade is that each division has a management committee, which also allows for prompt decision-making.  Each division having a very well-established management committee has also helped the overall success of PPI.

“I think that we are faced with challenges not only from competing materials, but also from the anti-plastics faction.  Also important to us,” Morgan continued, “is the whole picture of government advocacy that goes hand-in-hand with the sustainability advantages of our products; we don’t stand in the same light as single-use plastics by any means.

“Our products are intended to last 50 years to 100 years or longer in some applications.  And certainly, we have a great story to tell, and we’re  striving to do a better job of conveying that positive message to the world and certainly to the regulators in Washington, DC.  Obviously, we have an aged and failing infrastructure here in the United States, and we believe that our plastic piping products aren’t as susceptible to most of the troubles found in traditional materials such as cast iron, steel, and copper.”

Morgan concluded, “I know the board also wants to make sure our members realize that there’s truly a return on their investment for their membership in PPI, and we want to promote active involvement.  That’s where companies get the value. When their members get involved and become active, that the real payback, not only for each member company but also our association, and the plastic piping industry.”

Additional information about PPI can be found at:  www.plasticpipe.org.