Board of Directors & Leadership Team
American Polyurea is governed by a dedicated Board of Directors elected by our membership. Our leadership team brings together decades of combined experience in polyurea chemistry, application technology, business development, and industry advocacy. Together, they guide the organization’s mission to advance polyurea education, standards, and industry growth across the United States.
Executive Officers
| Name | Title | Background |
|---|---|---|
| James R. Hargrove | President | 35+ years in protective coatings; former president of the Coatings Industry Association; certified polyurea applicator trainer |
| Sandra L. Whitmore | Vice President, Education & Training | PhD in Polymer Science, University of Texas; 20 years developing polyurea training curricula; recognized speaker at SPFA and other industry conferences |
| Robert “Bobby” Castillo | Secretary & General Counsel | Attorney specializing in construction and materials law; former lobbyist for industrial coatings industry in Washington D.C. |
| Karen M. Pettigrew | Treasurer | CPA with 25 years in non-profit financial management; background in construction materials trade associations |
Board Members at Large
| Name | Region | Specialty |
|---|---|---|
| Marcus T. Beaumont | Southeast | Industrial & infrastructure coatings; USACE contractor; 18 years in the field |
| Diane C. Okafor | Midwest | Polyurea for municipal water infrastructure; certified inspector; former city engineer |
| Patrick L. Donnelly | Northeast | Safe room and ballistic-rated construction; 15 years with DOD contractors |
| Yolanda M. Reyes | Southwest | Petroleum pipeline coatings; NACE-certified; 20 years in energy sector |
| Thomas W. Nguyen | West Coast | Roofing and waterproofing systems; manufacturer’s rep background; SPFA member since 2004 |
| Angela R. Sutton | At Large | Polyurea chemistry R&D; co-inventor of 3 patented polyurea formulations; 12 years in materials science |
Professional Staff
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Christine M. Dalloway | Executive Director |
| Derek A. Simmons | Director of Member Services |
| Priya Krishnamurthy | Education & Certification Coordinator |
| Tyler Gleckler | Content & Communications Manager |
| William J. Farrow | Industry Relations & Government Affairs |
Technical Advisory Committee
The Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) is composed of industry experts who provide guidance on best practices, standards development, product testing protocols, and emerging technologies within the polyurea industry.
- Dr. Wei Zhang — Materials Science, University of Michigan; polyurea formulation expert
- Scott P. Reinhart — Equipment technology specialist; 30 years with plural-component spray equipment
- Maria E. Guenther — Environmental compliance and VOC regulations; former EPA consultant
- James “Buddy” Thibodeaux — Pipeline integrity and coating inspection; API 570 certified
- Rachel C. Overbey — Construction standards and specification writing; former CSI Chapter president
Get Involved in Leadership
American Polyurea is a member-driven organization. We actively encourage qualified members to participate in our governance and advisory processes. Board elections are held annually at the September conference. If you’re interested in serving on a committee or running for a board position, please contact us or speak with any member of the current board at an upcoming event.
