SPESA Welcomes New Board Members, Announces New Officer Slate, and Presents Rising Star Awards

Press Release

San Antonio, TX – During its recent Annual Business Meeting, the Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA) announced the approval of its incoming officers and the election of the Board Class of 2029, which includes two new members to the association’s Board of Directors. SPESA also recognized two industry “Rising Stars” within its membership.

The SPESA Business Meeting took place Thursday, October 29th, in San Antonio, Texas, as part of the 2026 SPESA Executive Conference.

SPESA Members Vote on SPESA Board Class of 2029

The SPESA membership voted unanimously to approve the SPESA Board Class of 2029:

• Laura Adams, Dürkopp Adler America

• Dan Berzack, Sewn Products Equipment Co.

• David Handal, Agencia J.E.Handal S.A. de C.V.

• Aimee Heuschkel, Lectra

While Berzack and Handal have served previous terms, both Laura Adams and Aimee Heuschkel are new to the SPESA Board. 

Adams, President of Dürkopp Adler America, has long been a supporter of SPESA and brings with her a wealth of knowledge related to innovative business strategies and operational excellence. While Board seats are assigned to individuals, not companies, Adams joins the Board on the heels of the departure of Nina McCormack, also with Dürkopp Adler America, who previously served as SPESA Chairwoman.

Recently promoted to Vice President Marketing, Americas, at SPESA member company Lectra, Heuschkel’s expertise and creativity has already proved invaluable to the SPESA team as it strives to increase the association’s brand awareness in the global market and increase promotion of the Texprocess Americas trade show.

Each of the newly-elected Board members will serve a three-year term, which began on October 29, 2026.

SPESA Board Approves Officer Slate  

As approved by the SPESA Board of Directors during a meeting on October 28th, SPESA’s new leadership team consists of Michael Rabin as Chair; Eric Schlossman, Vice President at Consew, as Vice Chair; and Bert Feinberg, President of Frontier Distributors & Phillocraft, as Secretary & Treasurer.

The newly-elected officers will each serve two-year terms, tasked with leading the association’s strategic decisions. 

In brief remarks to the SPESA membership, Rabin noted plans to “change things up” at SPESA over the next few years, noting incredible ideas already being put into action by the SPESA Board and soliciting additional feedback from members. Rabin’s initial priority will be growing and improving Texprocess Americas, focusing on the upcoming 2027 edition of the show.

SPESA Presents Rising Star Awards

Leading up to the 2026 Executive Conference, SPESA began an initiative to recognize emerging leaders within the sewn products industry, asking its members to submit nominations for those they considered to be “Rising Stars.” Two of these young leaders — Zain Khan of Everra and Lionel Vargas-Cruz of ISAIC — were honored during the SPESA Business Meeting in San Antonio.

Khan, one of SPESA’s newest members, was noted to be “one of the most impactful young leaders seen in the textile and materials supply chain.” Khan’s nomination highlighted his investment in the next generation and support of the industry beyond his own company, serving as a steady voice in times of disruption.

The nomination for Vargas-Cruz, who joined the SPESA Board last year, described him as a rare individual who “both champions and challenges industry, demonstrating respect for experience while maintaining a dedication to exploring new ways… He is positive, approachable, and action-oriented.”

In true SPESA fashion, the honorees were presented a bottle of local whiskey in lieu of a plaque. The SPESA team commemorated the occasion with a prominent star attached to each bottle label. The Rising Stars will also be featured in upcoming issues of the organization’s Behind the Seams newsletter.

SPESA wishes to thank its Board of Directors for their continued leadership and support. In addition, the association thanks all 2026 SPESA Executive Conference attendees, speakers, and sponsors for a successful event!

For more information on SPESA's Board of Directors and leadership, please visit www.spesa.org/about.

For more information on the SPESA Executive Conference, please visit www.spesa.org/spesa-executive-conference. 

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