SMI Thanks Outgoing Board Members

Elgin, Ill. – April 29, 2025 – The Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI) recently concluded its 2025 Annual Meeting in New Orleans. At the event, service awards were presented to outgoing board members, Linda Froehlich, president of Ace Wire Spring & Form Co. in McKees Rock, Pennsylvania and Anthony Pesaresi, president of Winamac Coil Spring in Kewanna, Indiana. Both Froehlich and Pesaresi served two terms on the SMI board of directors from 2019-2025.

SMI President Don Jacobson III, vice president of business development at Newcomb Spring Corp., said that Froehlich’s legacy is the strong network of women she helped empower through her work as the founding chairperson of the Women in Spring Manufacturing Committee.

“She was not just a board member—she’s been a mentor, a friend and a force for good in our industry,” commented Jacobson. “Working with Linda has been equal parts inspiring and fun. Her passion, humor, relentlessness and heart made every board meeting memorable.”

Jacobson expressed his gratitude to Pesaresi for his efforts in uniting SMI and CASMI under a new vision for SpringWorld.

“Tony’s dedication to both CASMI and SMI was on full display when he was able to bring the two groups together,” said Jacobson. “Tony was the spark that lit the path forward. Our combined SpringWorld and Educational Symposium is a testament to his ability to create opportunity from possibility.”

Jacobson went on to say that it takes a special kind of leader to turn an idea into a partnership. “Tony helped lay the foundation for something truly transformative for our spring manufacturing community.”

SMI will soon announce the addition of new board members. The association will hold its 2026 Annual Meeting at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico, March 5-8, 2026.

For more information about SMI, visit www.smihq.org.

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About Spring Manufacturers Institute

Founded in 1933, the Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI) is an association of companies that manufacture springs and their associate suppliers. The members of SMI work together to meet the key issues of the industry worldwide: quality, materials, technology and government regulations. SMI provides many services, including a quarterly magazine, Springs, a variety of technical publications, spring design software, industry data, seminars, meetings, safety and regulatory compliance and technical assistance. For more information on SMI, visit: www.smihq.org.