ROCKFORD, Ill., Nov. 2007 – Boyd Coddington, James P. Bouchard and Delbert "Del" Mullens were elected to the board of directors of the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association (FMA) Foundation at the group’s recent annual meeting. Each will serve a two-year term on the 15-member board, which provides governance for the FMA Foundation. 

Coddington is an internationally recognized automotive designer, builder, fabricator in the custom-fabricated hot rod industry. He is best known as the under-the-gun, deadline-stomping star of “American Hot Rod,” a show that airs on TLC, The Learning Channel. He also is owner of the Boyd Coddington Hot Rods and Collectibles based in La Habra, Calif. Coddington’s trademark billet aluminum wheels are a product that launched an industry, and today he continues to introduce sheet metal work, welding and pipe bending to the public.

Bouchard is Chairman and CEO of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Corporation, of Wheeling, W. Va., and Mullens is owner of Wesley Financial Corp. of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

The FMA Foundation serves as an educational, research and charitable organization to promote metal forming and fabricating technology in manufacturing.

“The FMA Foundation serves a vital industry role for our industry by educating and encouraging our youth to consider manufacturing as a future career path,” said Bouchard. "I’m committed to helping the FMA continue its important work in promoting and advancing the manufacturing sector’s position in this country."

The FMA Foundation offers grants to not-for-profit organizations and educational institutions introducing young people to metal forming and fabricating careers in manufacturing, provides funding to organizations starting or expanding manufacturing camps for youth, and issues scholarships to students at colleges and trade schools pursuing careers in manufacturing.

"As an owner of companies in the fabricating and powder coating industry, I am keenly aware of the competitive global nature of manufacturing and the need for well trained employees in today's market," said Mullens. "Being a member of the FMA Foundation board will allow me to work in collaboration with business and industry to help prepare future employees for the world of manufacturing."

More information on the FMA Foundation is available by visiting www.fma-foundation.org.  Based in Rockford, Ill., the Fabricators & Manufacturers Association, International is a professional organization with more than 2,000 members working together to improve the metal forming and fabricating industry.