SPE Announces Newly Elected Board of Directors Members for 2025

SPE recently announced newly elected Board of Directors members as well as a newly appointed president. Scott Eastman, Senior Manager R&D – DeWal, Rogers Corporation, will assume the position of SPE President starting on January 1st, 2025. The president’s term will run from January 1, 2025, until December 31, 2025. Lynzie Nebel, Upstream Hardware Engineer, Cytiva, will serve as SPE’s President-Elect from January 1, 2025, until December 31, 2025, when she will start her term as SPE President on January 1, 2026. 

Additionally, two SPE Directors have been elected to the Board of Directors. Dan Falla, Senior Technical Service, Shell, and Louis Somlai, Executive Director of Engineering, Eli Lilly and Company. Each will serve a three-year term from 2025-2028. Barry Curtis, President, Curtis Plastics Associates, was appointed and will serve as Director for a one-year term starting on January 1, 2025.

Biographical Information

Scott Eastman, Ph.D.
SPE President
Senior Manager R&D – DeWal, Rogers Corporation

Scott Eastman’s career in the materials and aerospace industries has been a blend of leadership, innovation, and strategic development. Scott’s current role as Senior Manager of R&D at Rogers Corporation's DeWal division has him leading teams toward unified objectives within the company. Scott crafts and executes development roadmaps that align with corporate-wide strategies, integrating marketing, sales, and operations.

Prior to this, Scott's role at Henkel as a Global Key Account Manager in Aerospace included managing over $35M in global sales. His nearly decade-long contribution at United Technologies Research Center showcased his expertise as a Technology/Program Manager and Polymeric Materials Engineer. He not only developed disruptive technology roadmaps but also secured funding for feasibility studies that aligned with business needs.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Scott's involvement with SPE is extensive. His roles as a director, co-chair, vice president, and committee member reflect his commitment to advancing the field and fostering a collaborative community.

Scott's education includes holding a Ph.D. and an M.S. in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, alongside a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Lynzie Nebel
SPE President-Elect
Upstream Hardware Engineer, Cytiva

Lynzie has dedicated her entire career to advancing the plastics industry, with a strong focus on her active involvement and leadership within SPE since becoming a member in 2006. Throughout her tenure, she has contributed to SPE in numerous impactful roles, including her ongoing service as Secretary and Executive Committee Member on the Board of Directors since 2018. Lynzie’s SPE contributions include restructuring membership tiers, launching events like Plastics in Clean Water, and creating initiatives such as daycare at ANTEC®.

Her commitment extends to specialized roles across multiple SPE divisions, including her past presidency of the Northwest PA Section and her work in the Injection Molding Division, where she founded and hosted the National Week of Injection Molding. Lynzie’s contributions to the PlastChicks podcast—garnering awards and reaching over 1,500 downloads monthly—further highlight her dedication to knowledge-sharing within the industry. Her continued service on the Foundation Board and participation in DEI initiatives underscore her commitment to the growth and inclusivity of SPE.

In addition to her SPE roles, Lynzie’s professional experience spans leadership positions at Cytiva, Tech Tank, and the Jade Group, where she has successfully driven strategic initiatives, process improvements, and customer engagement. Lynzie’s longstanding commitment to SPE, coupled with her professional expertise, positions her as an invaluable asset to the organization’s future.

Dan Falla
SPE Director
Senior Technical Service, Shell

With over 30 years in the polymer industry, Dan’s career includes significant contributions at Shell, Dow, and NOVA Chemicals, evidenced by 19 U.S. patents, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Canadian Plastics Industry Association, as well as SPE’s Fellow of the Society recognition.

Dan brings extensive customer-facing and leadership experience, alongside a long-standing commitment to SPE. A member since 1991, Dan has held key roles within SPE, including Membership Chair for the Flexible Packaging Division since 2014, Councilor from 2014 to 2020, Recycling Division Councilor since 2020, and a member of SPE’s Fellow of the Society Committee. 

Louis Somlai, Ph.D., MBA
SPE Director
Executive Director of Engineering, Eli Lilly and Company

Louis’ SPE involvement spans the Medical Plastics Division, European Medical Polymers Division, and Central Indiana SPE, each of which has provided valuable insights into the needs of the plastics professionals community, both locally and internationally.

In the Medical Plastics Division, Louis served as a board member, vice-chair, chair, and past chair, actively guiding the division’s strategic direction, and fostering a growing brand with a clear long-term vision. As a board member of the European Medical Polymers Division, Louis has collaborated with international colleagues on committees to address global challenges, reinforcing the division’s strong international presence through successful networking and technical events.

Within the Central Indiana Section, Louis serves as Treasurer and board member, where he has demonstrated financial acumen by overseeing budgeting and resource allocation to support local initiatives. His role on the SPE Finance Committee further highlights his expertise in fiscal management, which has been instrumental in supporting divisional growth.

These SPE roles have allowed Louis to build an extensive industry network, facilitating collaboration and knowledge sharing. His ability to communicate complex technical concepts and advocate for SPE’s mission has enhanced member and stakeholder engagement.

Louis’ professional experience as Executive Director of Engineering at Eli Lilly, along with past leadership positions in engineering and manufacturing, further underscores his strategic vision, leadership, and technical expertise, as well as his excellent management skills and his ability to form interpersonal relationships.

Barry Curtis
SPE Director
President, Curtis Plastics Associates

Barry is a seasoned executive with over 40 years of progressive experience in the plastics industry, spanning roles from engineering and technical sales to senior-level business development and operational management. A strategic leader, Barry holds both BS and MS degrees in Plastics Engineering from the University of Lowell (now UMass Lowell), where he began his journey in the field as a molding machine operator and R&D tech.

Throughout his career, Barry has been instrumental in driving growth, with a particular focus on international contract manufacturing and joint ventures. Over the past 13 years, he has launched and managed multiple profitable ventures, scaling operations to over $50 million in annual revenue while providing consistent reporting to boards of directors.

Barry’s professional portfolio highlights a track record in corporate development, business development, and strategic planning, along with expertise in P&L management and cross-functional leadership across global markets. He has held impactful roles such as Director of Manufacturing for Yamada Electric Ind. Co., where he oversaw Mexico and Brazil operations, and as Director of Business Development for the Americas and Europe, where he led joint ventures that generated over $40 million in annual revenue.

With core competencies in strategic partnerships, project management, and international business, Barry’s approach combines visionary thinking with practical execution, delivering sustainable growth and long-term value.