Call for New Board Members
The Cleveland Section wants YOU to apply for an open Board position for the 2020-2021 season. Positions include Secretary, Editor, Sponsorships, Technical Programs and others. These are key roles that make our section successful and help us achieve our mission.
All positions require professional, organizational and communication skills found in many technical professionals. The minimal expectation for all board members is to attend monthly board meetings either in person or by conference call and to provide a monthly update. The time commitment varies with the position as well as seasonally and around major events.
Experience in committee and board positions is the pathway to Section leadership, which can also lead to advanced roles within the SPE itself. The exposure and contacts developed in these roles are a great addition to your career experience.
Please contact us at speclecomm@gmail.org with questions or to make your application.
Congratulations to our Senior Members!
The Cleveland Section would like to recognize our two longest standing members – Dr Eric Baer and Mr. Nick Hotujac – both of whom joined the SPE in the 1950’s, before most of our members were born!
Dr. Eric Baer is the Distinguished University Professor of the Center of Layered Polymeric Systems at Case Western University. In addition, Dr.Baer has advised many top polymer scientists. Dr. Baer joined the SPE to gain applied knowledge and professional development and he recommends the SPE for all plastics professionals as “it is a wonderful platform for networking with colleagues in the U.S. and around the world.”
Mr. Nick Hotujac is owner and founder of Kennick Mold and Die Inc of Cleveland OH. The firm was founded in 1956 and Mr. Hotujac became the sole owner in 1970. Mr. Hotujac served in the Marines in WWII and studied mechanical drawing and mechanical design at East High School in Cleveland. He served as an SPE board member for many years and found it to be a very positive experience. Mr. Hotujac joined the SPE as his business grew, partly to learn more about mold making and to develop both technical and commercial contacts – “you never know where or when an SPE colleague will be able to help you, or you will be able to help them”.
Please congratulate both of these gentlemen for their long and successful careers and best of luck to them and their families.
Welcome!
The Cleveland Section of the Society of Plastics Engineers was founded in 1943, the third section to be formed in the USA. We are the professional home for nearly 200 plastics professionals across the Greater Cleveland area. Our objective is to promote scientific, engineering, and business knowledge related to the plastics industry in northeast Ohio. We invite you to browse through our site and encourage your attendance and participation at our technical programs.
Members are encouraged to keep their email and contact information up-to-date at 4spe.org to ensure delivery of all Cleveland Section materials. We also suggest adding SPECleComm@gmail.com to your address book to avoid spam filters.
Our Mission
The mission of The Cleveland Section of the Society of Plastics Engineers is to promote the advancement of plastics science and engineering through; monthly technical meetings, seminars, conferences, plant tours,scholarships, educational awards and social events. These activities provide a means of members technical advancement, employment opportunities, business technical advancement, social interaction, and community involvement.
The PlastiVan™ Program
The PlastiVan™ Program is a great way to WOW and excite young people about the science and the vast opportunities the plastics industry has to offer. The PlastiVan program travels to schools and companies throughout North America, educating people of all ages about plastics chemistry, history, processing, manufacturing, sustainability and applications. For more information about the PlastiVan™ Program, please contact Eve Vitale at evitale@4spe.org or (810) 814-6412
The Cleveland Section will sponsor two more PlastiVan events this season – May 1 at Great Lakes Science Center and May 13 at Twinsburg Schools. Thanks for your support.

Next Meeting
- Programs will resume September 2020