SCHAUMBURG, IL - The American Foundry Society (AFS), North America’s largest metalcasting trade association and professional society, today announced that its longtime CEO, Doug Kurkul, has informed the Executive Committee of his intent to retire on May 1, 2026.
A succession planning process is in place to ensure an orderly executive transition. A search committee co-chaired by AFS President David Gilson (SinterCast) and Past President Angela Schmeisser (St. Marys Foundry) will conduct a national search with the assistance of a professional search firm, The Association Management Center. AFS anticipates identifying the next CEO in late 2025 and onboarding the new CEO with Kurkul’s collaboration in early 2026.
Kurkul, 65, joined AFS as CEO in January 2016, after serving as CEO of three previous business advocacy organizations in Nevada and Texas; Vice President of the National Association of Manufacturers in Washington, D.C.; a Reagan Administration political appointee at the Department of Energy; and a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Small Business Administration.
During his tenure, AFS has implemented a six-pillar strategic plan, substantially grown its corporate membership, expanded its technical and management programs, conducted a landmark economic impact study, and bolstered its balance sheet. In 2025-2026, AFS will implement year 2 of the federally funded 5-year Technical Resource Digitization program, expand the use of AI in the Technical Library, implement the congressionally funded Aluminum Casting Performance Initiative, enhance AFS Institute training offerings, lobby for meaningful public policy improvements in Washington, and prepare for the April 2026 Metalcasting Congress in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
A position description for the CEO role will be posted to the AFS website and other search sites with application instructions in the near future. Inquiries may be directed to Karen Kramer at The Association Management Center at kkramer@connect2amc.com.
The American Foundry Society is a dynamic technical and advocacy organization that serves and represents the $50 billion metalcasting industry. AFS is the only association serving the entire industry, including all metals and processes, with a three-part focus on advocacy, education, and innovation. AFS also publishes Modern Casting and Casting Source magazines and presents Metalcasting Congress and CastExpo, the largest metalcasting trade events in North America. Founded in 1896, the organization is based in Schaumburg, Illinois, with an advocacy office in Washington, D.C. More information is available at AFSinc.org.