Highlights of the Last Meeting

Record-Breaking Attendance at the GFA Spring 2025 Meeting

The Gasket Fabricators Association’s Spring 2025 Meeting set a new attendance record, with over 240 participants gathering for three days of dynamic workshops, networking, and educational programming. Held in a vibrant Cape Coral, Florida, this event was packed with informative sessions that addressed quality control, compliance, cybersecurity, and more.

New Members and First-Time Attendees at the Orientation

Special Quality Control & Compliance Program

This year’s standout Quality Control and Compliance Program featured six expert-led workshops, each offered multiple times to give attendees flexibility in planning their personal schedules.

Automated Visual Inspection Methods for Gaskets and Seals
By Rick Ketron (Cincinnati Automation)
This hands-on workshop showcased a live demo system for inspecting O-rings and flat ring seals.

Prop 65, REACH/RoHS, PFAS and More
By Rebecca Spaulding (Environmental Resource Center)
This informative session offered a deep dive into chemical regulations impacting the industry, specifically Prop 65, REACH, RoHS, and PFAS.

Attendees at a Quality Control and Compliance Workshop

Charting a Path for Your Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Journey
By Jim Goepel (Fathom Cyber)
With cybersecurity becoming increasingly vital, Jim Goepel offered a practical, 10-step roadmap for organizations seeking CMMC readiness.

Making Your Quality System Add Value to Your Company
By Jonathan Davis, Charlie Keeley, Amber Nelson, and Dave Laschansky (CGR Products)
This session emphasized transforming compliance frameworks like ISO 9001 and IATF 16949 into value-added systems.

Inspection Processes and Key Considerations
Panelists: Don Charbonneau (Rogers Corporation), Tim Smith (Sealing Devices), Moderator: Shelby Ricketts (InsulFab)
This panel brought together top quality professionals to discuss PPAP, calibration, traceability, and other crucial quality control elements that drive consistency and compliance.

New President Erin Gurney Presenting a Plaque to Outgoing President Gary Guzek

Keynote Presentation

The Champion’s Code
By Ross Bernstein
The Spring 2025 Meeting’s keynote address was delivered by Ross Bernstein, best-selling author and renowned business speaker. In The Champion’s Code, Bernstein explored how integrity, accountability, and leadership translate from the locker room to the boardroom. Attendees left inspired to build stronger relationships, lead with ethics, and create cultures of excellence within their organizations.

For presentation slides and additional meeting materials, visit the GFA Resource Library at: https://www.gasketfab.com/resources.

Keynote Presenter: Ross Bernstein

Celebrating Leadership

At this meeting, Erin Gurney of Accurate Felt and Gasket Mfg. Co. (AFG) was elected President of the GFA. The organization also expressed gratitude to Gary Guzek (Sealing Devices) for his service as outgoing President and honored Chuck Keeley (CGR Products) and Riley Brand (Jacobs & Thompson) as they completed their terms on the GFA Board of Directors.

Shelby Ricketts (Insul-Fab) and Daniel Kubick (Rogers Corporation) were recognized as the winners of the Networking Bingo contest, showing once again that networking can be both fun and fruitful.

Looking Ahead

With momentum from a record-breaking turnout, the GFA now sets its sights on the Fall 2025 Meeting, scheduled for September 16–18, 2025, at The Wigwam in Phoenix, Arizona.

Networking Bingo Winners: Shelby Ricketts (left) and Daniel Kubick (right)