February 2025 Vol. 80 No. 2
Business
Business people: Industry leaders making moves
McElroy
Volker Köhler will play an integral role in helping McElroy grow its business in Europe and around the world.
In his new position, Köhler will provide support and service to channel partners and end users in the region. He will work alongside McElroy UK operations to promote the benefits of both plastic pipe fusion and McElroy’s rugged and reliable equipment line.
Köhler is a 25-year veteran of the plastic pipe industry and over the course of his career has become familiar with McElroy’s fusion lineup. That combination of sales and service experience provides him with a unique perspective to help grow the fusion market in Germany and elsewhere in western Europe.
“My goal is to support customers and help them make good business decisions,” Köhler said. “I’m excited to step into this role, and happy that it allows me to stay active in the technical side of the pipe fusion industry. That’s something I’m very passionate about.”
McElroy is a leading manufacturer and innovator in the science of joining thermoplastic pipe. The Tulsa, Oklahoma-based company offers the industry's most complete line of butt, saddle and socket fusion equipment for ½-inch CTS to 2000mm OD pipe, as well as quality assurance accessories that increase productivity and efficiency on the job site
PPI
Donnie Johnson has joined the Plastics Pipe Institute Inc. (PPI) as its new Director of Sustainability & Advocacy. The position was created as a result of the growing membership’s desire to increase PPI’s contributions to public policy and legislative initiatives, with a focus on sustainability and resiliency plus government advocacy.
Prior to joining PPI, Johnson served in executive and senior advisor roles for several of the nation’s largest healthcare and education unions. He brings more than 16 years of expertise in legislative advocacy, electoral strategy, and public relations to the leading North American trade association.
“Donnie Johnson’s ability to align stakeholders, develop strategic messaging, and deliver measurable results makes him the ideal leader to drive PPI’s sustainability and advocacy initiatives forward,” stated PPI President, David M. Fink.
In his new position, Johnson will influence public policy and legislative priorities that benefit the industry. His duties include serving as lead staff member for the PPI Umbrella Government Advocacy and the Sustainability Committees, directing lobbying efforts and maintaining key legislative initiatives on behalf of PPI, coordinating proposals and initiatives in collaboration with lobbyists and aligned associations, plus collaboration with industry to amplify the organization’s voice.
In addition to his work in labor, Johnson has spearheaded energy development projects in the Midwest and South. Most notably, he played a key role in securing $342 million in Graduate Medical Education funding, marking the largest investment in New Jersey's history for medical education.
PPI is the major North American trade association representing the plastic pipe industry and is dedicated to promoting plastic as the materials of choice for pipe and conduit applications. PPI is the premier technical, engineering and industry knowledge resource publishing data for use in the development and design of plastic pipe and conduit systems. Additionally, PPI collaborates with industry organizations that set standards for manufacturing practices and installation methods.
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