James “Jay” Waddell is the new chairman of the SPE Thermoforming Division.

He is the founding partner and key management principal of Plastic Concepts & Innovations, LLC. He is an expert in materials and manufacturing techniques, including twin-sheet thermoforming, pressure-forming and CNC operations.

He and two partners developed techniques for thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) molding that helped open up the automotive, RV and trucking industry to thermoformers.

He is a member of the board of directors for the Society of Plastics Engineers and serves as treasurer. He has been on the board of directors for the Thermoforming Division of the SPE for 36 years.