SME's Plastics, Composites & Coatings Community is home to engineers and manufacturing professionals involved in the manufacturing processes of plastics, composites and coatings technology. The community offers opportunities for SME members with like interests to connect, learn from one another and collaborate to further manufacturing knowledge and education. 

Vision: 

Enhance progress, prosperity and strong communities through manufacturing. 

Mission: 

Inspire, prepare and support our stakeholders in the advancement of manufacturing. 

Purpose: 

Engage in the exchange of plastics, composites and coatings knowledge.

Community Advisors

Louis C. "Lou" Dorworth has been working in the advanced composites industry since 1978. He's been associated with Abaris since its inception in 1983 and employed by Abaris Training since 1989. Dorworth’s background includes many years of education and experience in composite materials research and development, manufacturing engineering, material and process engineering, and tool design and fabrication. His aerospace composite background includes work on programs such as Lear Fan 2100, Beechcraft Starship 1, B-2 bomber, C-17 transport, MD-11, Boeing 777, Airbus A-330/340, as well as many unmanned vehicle projects and programs. Dorworth has also been involved with many nonaerospace programs, ranging from wind blades to snowboards to marine vessels to submersibles. He has been a professional member of the Society for the Advancement of Material & Process Engineering since 1982, having published a variety of technical papers over the years. Dorworth also co-authored “Essentials of Advanced Composite Fabrication & Repair.” He is also the current chair of the PCC Community and the Composites Manufacturing Tech Group. SME Member Since 1997 

Imelda “Mel” Cossette is the executive director and principal investigator of the National Resource Center for Materials Technology Education funded by the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technological Education, which is housed at Edmonds Community College. Cossette has more than 20 years of experience in manufacturing and has developed technician training programs for industry and educational institutions, including computer-based training. She serves on a number of national grants, community-based, and college advisory committees, and has worked in various businesses and industries including holding administrative positions at several community and technical colleges. SME Member Since 2003

Richard A. "Dick" Lofland, FSME, is president of Richard Lofland & Associates. For more than 40 years, he has worked between Hughes Helicopters Inc., McDonnell Douglas Helicopter Co. and The Boeing Co. in Mesa, Ariz. Lofland joined the 1994 Class of SME Fellows, is the former co-chair of the PCC Community and is currently a co-chair for the Composites Manufacturing Tech Group. In 1990, he was awarded the J.H. "Jud" Hall Composites Manufacturing Award. Lofland received a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in aeronautical science from Emery Riddle Aeronautical University. SME Member Since 1989

Stephen Parsons, PE, is a Lockheed Martin fellow at Lockheed Martin Aeronautics. Currently, he’s the manufacturing technology lead for current and future for Advanced Development Programs. Previously, Parsons was site lead for manufacturing technology organization with projects supporting ADP Joint Future Theater Lift business pursuit; F-35 build in Marietta, Georgia.; F-22 assembly; C-130J; P-3; and C-5. He is a manufacturing subject-matter expert for Lockheed’s fiber-placement machine selection team. Parsons earned his bachelor’s degree in applied physics from Appalachian State University in 1980 and his master’s degree in mechanical engineering Georgia Institute of Technology in 1985. He is a LM-21-certified black belt and an LM-certified program manager (level II). SME Member Since 2008