Staff

Doug Kurkul

AFS Chief Executive Officer

Doug Kurkul has been CEO of the American Foundry Society since 2016. On his watch, Corporate Membership has reached a 15-year high, a new Strategic Plan was adopted and implemented, new programs and communications have been introduced, and the Society's balance sheet has been solidified through debt elimination. AFS also conducted the most comprehensive Economic Impact Analysis of the foundry industry in several decades. Doug has represented the foundry industry at events in China, Germany, Taiwan, Poland, Italy, and Mexico.

Previously, Doug has been CEO of business advocacy groups in Texas and Nevada; 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.

He earned a Master's Degree in Public Administration (MPA) from the American University in Washington D.C. and a B.A. from Ashland University in Ohio, as well as leadership training from Duke University's Center for Creative Leadership.

Mike Lakas

Senior Vice President for IT, Operations, and Trade Shows

Mike Lakas joined AFS in 2014 and made immediate contributions by beginning to modernize the organization’s technology functions and instituting an internal Kaizen team. He was promoted to Vice President of IT and Operations in September 2017. In his expanded role, he heads up not only IT, but also conference management, customer service, and building operations. Before joining AFS in 2014, Mike held IT roles at a medical society and at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He holds an MBA and a bachelor of science degree from that institution.

Cathy Potts

Senior Director of Human Resources & Administrative Services

Cathy Potts joined AFS in 2015 and was promoted to Director of Human Resources & Administrative Services in 2017. In addition to administering all HR functions, she provides administrative support to the CEO, staffs the Talent Development Committee, and is the staff co-liaison to Future Leaders of Metalcasting. Her extensive experience includes 16 years at Navistar in human resources and involvement in global recruiting and staffing, organizational development and training, employee relations and compensation.

Ben Yates

Vice President of Business Development

Ben Yates joined AFS in 2017, where he is responsible for marketing and public relations, membership development, chapter relationships, advertising sales, event sponsorships, and industry solutions programs. Before joining AFS, Ben spent 14 years with Associated Equipment Dealers, a North American trade group serving construction equipment dealerships. In addition to regular writing and speaking duties at AFS, he has extensive experience in grassroots advocacy, having hosted facility tours with more than 60 U.S. senators and congressmen. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and master’s degree from Florida State University.

Chris Oswald

Senior Director of Accounting & Finance

Chris Oswald joined AFS in 2021, overseeing accounting and reporting requirements for AFS and the Institute. He is a CPA with an accounting degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Chris has years of experience as a CFO, financial reporting director, accounting manager, and auditor.

Brian Began

Vice President of Metalcasting Technical Services

Brian Began has more than two decades of technical experience in the metalcasting industry. He joined AFS in 2021, having worked 23 years in key roles with Foseco. He also served on the staff at ASM International. Began has a degree in materials science from Case Western Reserve University and an MBA from Ashland University. As an AFS member, he volunteered in leadership positions for the AFS Technical Council and the Aluminum & Light Metals Division.