Dan Dobratz earned a degree in chemical engineering from The Pennsylvania State University, and spent more than 40 years with FXI (formerly Foamex), beginning when the company was a division of Scott Paper. He most recently served as vice president of manufacturing technology, directing a team of engineering professionals to provide on-site and remote technical support to multiple plant sites producing flexible polyurethane foam products. In that capacity, Dobratz managed FXI’s CertiPUR-US^® registration program for more than a decade.

Earlier roles included first-line supervision for synthetic detergent manufacturing with Procter & Gamble, pouring line manager for Carpenter Company, and field technical service for flame retardants used in rigid polyurethane foams at ExxonMobil Chemical.

Ami Neiberger contributes to strategic communications, brand management, media relations, audience outreach, trade show and exhibits and much more for the CertiPUR-US program. She organizes special projects and works on publications and materials. In 2025, she became chief contributor to the Home Sweet Foam Blog. When not working on her 100+ year old house or driving her daughter to cheerleading practice, she enjoys cuddling with her dog on a couch containing certified foam and watching Florida Gator football.

Ami Neiberger contributes to strategic communications, brand management, media relations, audience outreach, trade show and exhibits and much more for the CertiPUR-US program. She organizes special projects and works on publications and materials. In 2025, she became chief contributor to the Home Sweet Foam Blog. When not working on her 100+ year old house or driving her daughter to cheerleading practice, she enjoys cuddling with her dog on a couch containing certified foam and watching Florida Gator football.

Overview of current market conditions in the chemical industry, with updates on plant capacity, disruptions, and more.

Umberto’s extensive experience in the petrochemical industry includes roles in global business development, product development and marketing in thermoplastics, thermosets and specialty chemicals businesses (including electronics) at Dow Chemical, Honeywell International and Dupont de Nemours.

He further sharpened his business and new product development skills in the agrifood space where he dealt with global issues of food security and advanced ag-tech innovation working in the Corteva group. Umberto was also very fortunate to participate in a biotech business transferring genetic human therapeutics to plants and animals for a better environment and a safer food production.

Umberto received an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s Degree in Journalism and Public Affairs from American University in Washington, D.C. During his formative years, Umberto honed his financial writing and editing skills at Dow Jones Newswires covering commodities, interest rates and currency derivatives. His bachelor degree is in linguistics, which help him familiarize with several languages and foreign cultures.

Discussion of floorcovering industry sales trends, and regulatory challenges to the bonded carpet cushion market. Bob Clark will report on enhanced producer responsibility (EPR) legislation being considered in several states.  One such bill recently passed in NY state.

Bob Clark is Executive Director of the Carpet Cushion Council.  The CCC represents the North American carpet cushion industry as an advocate and an educator. As the industry resource for answers to carpet cushion-related questions, the Carpet Cushion Council educates carpet retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and cushion manufacturers about the benefits of carpet cushion. Ultimately, the Carpet Cushion Council’s objective is to provide carpet retailers with tools necessary to improve communication with customers and increase overall sales.

An update on the activities of PFA's new Sustainability Committee.

Andrew Kee is Director, Technical Service and Product Stewardship for flexible foams at Wanhua U.S. Prior to joining Wanhua, he spent 23 years at the Woodbridge Group (he was actually hired by Hamdy Khalil), serving in a series of management positions including Director of Sustainability & Corporate Scientist.

McLaughlin is Director of New Foam Products for Elite Comfort Solutions. He has more than 30 years of experience in the flexible polyurethane foam industry, and has been a member of PFA’s Executive Committee for a number of years. He also contributes to PFA’s Technical and Sustainability Committees. He holds a degree in Chemistry from West Virginia State University.

Arshawn Teymoorian is a dedicated legal advisor for trade associations in the manufacturing and insurance sectors. His practice focuses on association governance, regulatory compliance, and strategic planning, guiding clients through policy development, legislative advocacy, and stakeholder collaboration. Arshawn also provides skilled contract negotiation services alongside strategic day-to-day support and operational guidance on a range of issues that typically confront trade associations, including antitrust compliance, nonprofit status, and more. He holds a J.D. from The George Washington University Law School and is admitted to the bar in California and the District of Columbia.

Russ Batson is Executive Director of the Polyurethane Foam Association. He has more than two decades of related experience providing public affairs and regulatory counsel, working with corporations and industry associations, to advocate issues based on credible science and sound economics. Prior to joining PFA, he served as Senior Counsel, Government Relations, Americas, for SABIC, advising one of the world’s largest chemical and plastics producers on key regulatory matters and opportunities.

Before this position, he worked for 15 years with the American Home Furnishings Alliance (formerly American Furniture Manufacturers Association) as Director of Congressional and Regulatory Affairs and as Vice President of Government Affairs. At AHFA, he was instrumental in helping shape rulemaking on upholstered furniture flammability, involving complex issues of fire science, chemical safety, product liability and federal preemption. The positive effects of his work in this area are still seen in the industry today. Batson holds bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Virginia. He is admitted to the bar in Virginia.

Bill Gollnitz has more than 40 years’ experience in the flexible polyurethane foam industry. For more than 20 years, he has been Technical Director at Plastomer Corporation. Prior to that, he held group management positions at ARCO Chemical Company and Olin Chemical. He began his career in the foam industry with Firestone Foam. He has a deep understanding of how chemistry, manufacturing and suppliers can work together to advance the polyurethanes industry. He is a Past President of PFA, and currently serves on PFA’s Executive and Technical Committee. Gollnitz holds a B.A. in chemistry from Lipscomb University and an MBA from Bryant University. In 2023, he was inducted into the Flexible Polyurethane Foam Hall Of Fame.

An update on Technical Committee activities, including regulatory issues, flammability, and more.

Jonathan Hostetler is a Field Marketing Engineer - Slabstock for Momentive, where he interfaces between the technical and commercial teams, helping to support the use of current products while developing the marketing and commercial cases for new products.

Previously, he was Segment Lead Chemist at TempurSealy International. 

Hostetler holds a Bachelors Degree in Chemical Engineering from Virginia Tech University, and a Masters of Business Administration from the Haslam College of Business at The University of Tennessee.