Broadening the Board

Wayne Hertlein is a Program Manager for Wilbert Plastics Services—a supplier of plastics injection molding and heavy gauge thermoform products and assemblies based in Belmont, NC.  His responsibilities include the program management of automotive plastics components and their assemblies. Previously, Wayne has served in several leadership roles with such companies as MMI Engineered Solutions (MMI), International Automotive Components (IAC), Collins and Aikman Global Tooling Company (C&A), Complete Prototype Services (CPS), Cardell Corporation, and others based in the Midwest.  With more than 35 years in the plastics industry, Wayne has served in a variety of capacities on committees charged with advancing the plastics and tooling industries.  More specifically, Wayne is an Honored Service Member and has been a member of SPE since 1981.  

David Hirt is a Tooling Engineer for Ventra Plastics in Sandusky, Ohio—a molding/manufacturing plant specializing in Automotive Exterior Lighting. Dave holds a B.S. degree in Manufacturing Technology from Bowling Green State University;  a journeyman`s card in Tool & Die, and has an A.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Terra Technical College.

Dan Mishek is the Managing Director and Co-Owner of Vista Technologies LLC (VistaTek)—a full-service custom U.S. manufacturer with in-house moldmaking, injection molding, inspection and secondary operations such as decoration, assembly and packaging—Ramsey, MN.  He has been published numerous times in national publications and has presented around the world regarding manufacturing. Dan is a 3rd generation manufacturer, President of the SPE Upper Midwest Section 22, a proud member of the AMBA and has lobbied in Washington DC for the creation of jobs and education for a better skilled labor force.

Tim Peterson is Vice President at Industrial Molds Group in Rockford, IL—his family’s company.  After graduating from high school, Tim began the moldmaking apprenticeship program for four years then went to work for Mold Design for eight years before returning to Industrial in 1992 as a toolmaker. After  becoming lead toolmaker, he spent two years in the Quality Department.  In 2006, he moved into the managerial side of the company. First as an account manager in sales to his present position as Vice President of the company. He is a board member of the AMBA.

Mike Walter is President of MET Plastics, Inc. in Elk Grove Village, IL— a custom mold builder and injection molder that specializes in low-volume molds and molding for the aerospace, medical, business equipment, and food service industries.  Mike holds a B.S. degree  in marketing and management from DePaul University and attended Northern Illinois University to study Plastics Technology.  Mike is also an active member of the moldbuilding and plastics communities; he currently serves on the board of directors of the American Mold Builders Association (AMBA), is Secretary of the Chicago Chapter of the AMBA, and is Vice President of the Manufacturer's Association for Plastics Processors (MAPP).