Batson Joins Polyurethane Foam Assn.

Polyurethane Foam Assn. (PFA) has appointed Russell B. Batson as Associate Director in anticipation of the current director's retirement at the end of 2018.

Batson, an executive with extensive experience representing companies in the chemical and home furnishings industries on public policy and regulatory issues, has more than two decades of related experience providing public affairs and regulatory counsel, working with corporations and industry associations, to advocate issues based on credible science and sound economics. He routinely interacted with opinion leaders, journalists, regulators, code authorities, and other stakeholder groups to build understanding of issues and effectively convey organization positions.

Prior to joining PFA, he served as senior counsel, government relations, Americas, for SABIC, advising one of the world’s largest chemical and plastics producers on key regulatory matters and opportunities.

Before this position, he worked for 15 years with the American Home Furnishings Alliance as director of congressional and regulatory affairs and as vice president of government affairs. At AHFA, he was instrumental in helping shape rule-making on upholstered furniture flammability, involving complex issues of fire science, chemical safety, product liability and federal preemption.

Batson holds bachelor’s and law degrees from the University of Virginia. He is admitted to the bar in Virginia.

“Russ already has a working knowledge of many of the issues facing the flexible polyurethane foam industry,” said Robert Luedeka, executive director of PFA. “Having him on board gives us another set of extremely valuable skills that can be put to work immediately to reinforce PFA’s advocacy and association management programs.”

“PFA has been fortunate over its 35-plus years to have extremely capable leadership,” said Chip Holton of NCFI Polyurethanes, PFA president. “Russ is someone with the credentials and experience to continue this legacy.”

The Polyurethane Foam Assn. is a trade association founded in 1980 to educate customers and other groups about flexible polyurethane foam (FPF). FPF is used as a key comfort component in most upholstered furniture and mattress products, along with automotive seating, carpet cushion, packaging, and numerous other applications.