At its January 2026 Board of Directors meeting held in Longboat Key, FL, the Chemical Coaters Association International Finishing Education Foundation welcomed its officers for 2026-27, as well as three new directors.
Stepping into the role of president is Aaron Hughes, executive vice president of sales and marketing for GAT Finishing Systems. Aaron has served on the CCAI FEF Board since 2022 and served as vice president in 2024 and 2025.
Courtney Jungjohann-Deemer, general manager, Americas – packaging coatings for PPG, also joined the CCAI FEF Board in 2022 and entered the officer rotation as secretary/treasurer in 2024. Courtney will now serve as vice president.
Duane Fudge, retired, BASF|Chemetall, served as a director of the board since 2023 and is entering the officer rotation as secretary/treasurer. Duane served on the CCAI National Board of Directors for many years, including every officer position, before bringing his experience to the CCAI FEF Board.
New directors joining the CCAI FEF Board are Jane Knoblock, vice president at Raphael Industries, Josh Gilmore, training and sales manager for Sames, and Josh Hildre, sales director of the General Industrial Division at Sherwin-Williams. “We are excited to welcome Jane, Josh, and Josh,” says CCAI FEF Executive Director Sheila LaMothe. "Their backgrounds and expertise will be of great value as we continue to grow CCAI FEF and expand its initiatives.”
Returning Board members for 2026 are Past President, Patricia Hendrick, retired, PPG, and Directors Holly Gotfredson, president, Finishing Dynamics, and Marhya Osheaski, president, WolfRayet. CCAI FEF is grateful for their continued dedication and leadership.
CCAI FEF recognizes the departure of two of its founding board members as of December 31, 2025. Sam Woehler, retired, Koch Finishing Systems, served as CCAI FEF’s first president and dedicated seven years to the foundation. Dr. Vicki Gelling, senior research fellow at Sherwin-Williams, was also a founding board member, serving two years as vice president and president beginning in 2020 and 2022, respectively. CCAI FEF extends its sincere thanks to Sam and Vicki for their tireless dedication, expertise, and guidance in building CCAI FEF from the ground up. CCAI FEF would not be what it is today without their leadership.
The CCAI FEF is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt charitable organization established in November 2018. CCAI FEF supports education and training programs that improve skills at all levels within the industrial finishing and coatings industry, for the benefit of the industry today and to build a stronger foundation for the future.
Visit www.finishingfoundation.org.
