Polyurethane Foam Association Appoints Luedeka

Furniture World Magazine

The Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA) has announced the appointment of Robert J. Luedeka as the organization’s new Executive Director. Luedeka will succeed Louis H. Peters who retires December 31, 2004. Luedeka brings extensive experience into his new role with the PFA. He is transitioning from a 27-year career at J.P. Hogan & Company where he was Senior Vice-President. While at J.P. Hogan, Luedeka was active in the flexible polyurethane foam industry. He was responsible for developing the PFA’s public, press, government and industry communications strategies since 1987. At J. P. Hogan & Company, Luedeka also provided communications and marketing counsel for clients involved in flexible polyurethane foam production, in the supply of FPF raw materials, and in the furniture and bedding industry including both the manufacturing and home furnishings retail industry segments. Luedeka holds a B.S.B.A. in Marketing from the University of Denver. He is an active member of the University of Denver Undergraduate Recruiting Advisory Committee, serves on The University of Tennessee at Martin Department of Communications Professional Advisory Council, and is a member of the American Society of Association Executives. "The entire PFA executive committee and membership join me in heartily welcoming Bob Luedeka to his new position," said Vinnie Bonaddio, President of the PFA. "In Bob, we have found both a passionate and knowledgeable industry participant and an experienced executive. I'm sure that our members and the industry will be well served under his leadership." Luedeka expressed his enthusiasm for the PFA and the challenges ahead. "I will work on behalf of our members to reinforce the PFA’s position as the predominate source of information related to flexible polyurethane foam performance characteristics, environmental attributes and safety matters. We will continue to perform a major supporting role addressing the issue of flammability in home furnishings and maintain our emphasis on the importance of fire prevention education to supplement the advent of national flammability standards for upholstered furniture and mattresses. And, in the coming year, we will consider possible courses of action to address the growing volume of imported FPF cushioning materials. With help from a capable and experienced executive committee and a host of enthusiastic members, I look forward to building on the firm foundation Lou Peters laid for the PFA,” said Luedeka. In conjunction with Luedeka’s appointment, the PFA’s executive offices will be relocated from Wayne, New Jersey to Knoxville, Tennessee. The PFA’s new address is 9724 Kingston Pike, Suite 503, Knoxville, Tennessee 37922. About PFA: The mission of the Polyurethane Foam Association (PFA) is to educate customers and other groups about flexible polyurethane foam and to promote its use in manufactured and industrial products. This includes providing facts on environmental, health and safety issues related to polyurethane foam to the membership of PFA, polyurethane foam users, regulatory officials, business leaders, the media and the general public. PFA also provides its members and their customers with technical information on the performance of flexible polyurethane foam in consumer and industrial products. PFA was founded in 1980.