NFFS Staff

Jerrod A. Weaver
Executive Director

E-mail: jerrod@nffs.org
Phone: (847) 268-4881

Jerrod Weaver is the Executive Director of the Non-Ferrous Founders' Society. He has more than twenty five years of professional experience in association management, first as a staff member with NFFS and then as Executive Director since January 2016. Jerrod received a BS in Manufacturing Engineering with a cast metals emphasis from Western Michigan University in 1996. He earned the prestigious Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation from the American Society of Association Executives in 2010, and he also earned quality auditor, quality manager and lead auditor credentials issued by the American Society for Quality. In his spare time, Jerrod enjoys fishing and cooking with his spouse Kristie.

Matt Gilmore
Director of Business Development

E-mail: matt@nffs.org
Phone: (847) 299-0950

Matt Gilmore is the Director of Business Development for the Non-Ferrous Founders’ Society. Matt has over ten years of experience in manufacturing trade association management most recently serving as the Director of Membership and Business Development with Gardner Manufacturing Association Solutions. In this role, Matt worked with multiple manufacturing trade associations focusing on new member development, creating and enhancing non-dues revenue programs, developing local and regional events and even creating and establishing new manufacturing associations. Prior to joining GMAS, Matt served as the Director of Membership and Business Development with the National Tooling and Machining Association (NTMA). 

Matt holds a BA in English from Wittenberg University and has an accreditation in Public Relations from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). In his spare time, Matt enjoys spending time and traveling with his fiancé Heidi and making his two sons, Jackson and Liam, better soccer players.

Bill Padnos
Director of Workforce Development

E-mail: bill@nffs.org 
Phone: (847) 268-3451

Bill Padnos serves as the Director of Workforce Development for the Non-Ferrous Founders’ Society, bringing over 25 years of experience in non-profit management within trade associations, professional societies, and captive organizations. Previously, he was the Executive Director of the National Tooling & Machining Association Foundation, where he led workforce development initiatives, including youth engagement, education and training programs, and community outreach.

Bill holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Indiana University and has earned several industry certifications, including Certified Meeting Professional (CMP), graduate of the U.S. Chamber’s Institute for Organizational Management, and a Marano Fellow from the Aspen Institute. In his free time, Bill enjoys long walks while listening to podcasts and making creative dinners. He and his wife, Shari, also love attending the theater, especially when watching their children, Elana and Ari, perform on stage.

Sheila Rayburn
ICON Program Manager

E-mail: sheila@nffs.org
Phone: (847) 299-0950

Sheila Rayburn is the Director of Operations for the Integrated Casting Order Network (ICON) program at NFFS. She came to NFFS after a thirty-year career at Defense Logistics Information Service, an agency of DOD/DLA federal government. Following her government career, Sheila established her role as Senior Consultant of her own business, Rogers Associates LLC, where she assisted many small businesses in obtaining and managing IT government contracts. She also served as the DOD EMALL Program Manager (known now as FEDMALL) and as Division Chief and Business Operations Manager of the Systems Integrated (J6-BC) Data Services Office of DLA.

Sheila holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from George Washington University with an emphasis in Supply Chain Management/Logistics and Procurement, as well as certifications in Program Management (PMP), Contracting, (DAU) and Diversity. She is an active volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse Disaster Relief, Haven of Rest Mission, and the Men Women of Action Building/Construction Recovery Projects in and outside of the United States. In her spare time, she plays the violin and enjoys a ride in her ’68 GTO convertible.

Erin M. Russell
Director of Membership & Communications

E-mail: erin@nffs.org
Phone: (847) 268-3451

Erin Russell joined the NFFS team in 2017 and is the Society's Director of Membership and Communications. Erin has over two decades of professional experience in the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining NFFS, she spent four years as the Operations Manager for the Casket and Funeral Supply Association of America (CFSA), a national trade association in the funeral industry. Prior to joining the association sector, Erin spent several years working for charitable nonprofits including United Way, the YMCA, and Ravinia Festival. 

Erin has a masters degree in nonprofit administration from DePaul University in Chicago and a bachelors degree in business and marketing from the University of Wisconsin. Outside of the office, she enjoys volunteering, traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband Bill, their daughters Violet and Hera, and their many pets.

Kristie Weaver
Executive Meeting Planner

E-mail: kristie@nffs.org
Phone: (847) 299-0950

Kristie Weaver is the Executive Meeting Planner for the Non-Ferrous Founders' Society. She has more than 25 years of professional experience in meeting planning, first in the hospitality industry with the Palmer House Hilton and now as a NFFS association staff member. Kristie plays a crucial role in the success of the Society's annual Industry Executive Conference. In her spare time, she enjoys baking, decorating, and cooking with her spouse Jerrod.