Herndon, Virginia—April 29, 2024—The National Insulation Association (NIA) is pleased to announce its officers for 2024, led by NIA’s new President, Jack Bittner. The Executive Committee officers were elected to their positions on April 16 during the NIA Board of Directors meeting.

The full slate of Board representatives were approved following a majority vote by NIA’s Active membership during NIA’s Business Session on April 18 that took place in conjunction with NIA’s 68th Annual Convention, April 17–19, 2024.

Jack Bittner is a Senior Product Manager at Johns Manville (JM) Industrial, which is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Bittner has been in the insulation industry for more than 45 years, starting out as an insulator with Brown & Root. Bittner has been with JM since 1991, serving as a Sales Territory Manager, Market Manager, and Vice President of Marketing with the Industrial Insulation Group before taking on his current role.

During his term as NIA’s President, his message will emphasize Strength in Numbers. Throughout the year, he will work to elevate awareness of the value of the industry and all mechanical insulation professionals.

Executive Committee Members

• President: Jack Bittner, Johns Manville
• President-Elect: Rick Sutphin, Performance Contracting, Inc.
• Secretary/Treasurer: John C. Stevens, Thermal Solutions, Inc.
• Assistant Treasurer: Lee Stuckenschmidt, Systems Undercover, Inc.

Regional Board Members

• Brian Willett, Gribbins Insulation Company, Inc., representing the Central States Insulation Association (CSIA)
• Rick Baptista, Irex Contracting Group, representing the Eastern States Insulation Contractors Association (ESICA)
• Matt Hymer, Midwest Materials Co., representing the Midwest Insulation Contractors Association (MICA)
• Matt Caldwell, Caldwell Insulation, Inc., representing the Southeastern Insulation Contractors Association (SEICA)
• David B. Patrick, Specialty Products & Insulation, representing the Southwest Insulation Contractors Association (SWICA)
• Shawn Reichenbach, Performance Contracting, Inc., representing Western Insulation Contractors Association (WICA)

At-Large Members

• Mellanie Askew, Coverflex Manufacturing, Inc.
• R. Dean Burows, DKB, Inc.
• Rob Elsey, Cornerstone Sales, Inc. (Associate)
• John K. Freeman, Jr., Petrin, LLC
• Russ Huff, Bay Insulation Systems, Inc.
• Michael McCowan, L.C. Insulations, Inc.
• Marc Napolitano, Insulation Materials Corp.
• Jon Perry, Specialty Products & Insulation
• Louis Walton, Proto Corp. (Associate’s Committee Appointee)

Jack Bittner’s Past President Advisors are Laura Dover of Dover Insulation, Inc., and Kenny Freeman of Petrin, LLC. NIA’s Executive Vice President/CEO Michele M. Jones and General Counsel, Gary Auman of Auman, Mahan & Furry, will be advising and counseling the Executive Committee.

Upcoming NIA Meetings

NIA’s next member meeting is the Fall Summit, taking place October 28–29, 2024, at the MGM National Harbor in Maryland. Jack Bittner’s term concludes at NIA’s 69th Annual Convention, which will take place in spring of 2025.

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About NIA

NIA is a not-for-profit trade association representing both merit (open shop) and union contractors, distributors, laminators, fabricators, and manufacturers that provide thermal insulation, insulation accessories, and components to the commercial, mechanical, and industrial markets throughout the nation. Since 1953, the northern Virginia-based association has been the voice of the insulation industry and is dedicated to keeping the commercial and industrial insulation industry up to date on the latest industry trends and technologies. For more information, visit www.insulation.org.