Speakers

Sara provides government consulting services and trade analysis to U.S. manufacturers and associations and works in government relations advocating on behalf of the domestic textile industry. Her work focuses on tracking pending trade initiatives and pressing for strong textile rules in U.S. free trade and preference agreements. Sara represents the United States Industrial Fabrics Institute (USIFI) and Narrow Fabrics Institute (NFI), two divisions of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), and the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) as well as serving on the Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Textiles and Clothing (ITAC 13).

Paige Beert is the R&D Production Manager at Renegade Plastics, a company dedicated to designing coated textiles for a circular economy. She leads the pilot R&D line, combining technical expertise with a commitment to climate tech and sustainable manufacturing. A graduate of NC State with degrees in textile and chemical engineering, Paige brings experience from both startups and global manufacturers and is passionate about advancing environmentally responsible innovation in the textiles industry.

Amy Berg is a Partner at Ice Miller LLP assisting clients with complex environmental regulatory and compliance issues. She counsels clients in the permitting, operations, and reporting processes of federal and state regulatory programs and contributes her experience to litigation and administrative proceedings, including matters related to emerging contaminants such as PFAS.

Morgan Campbell is a designer and textile researcher with experience ranging from Australian Fashion Week to prototypes for future missions to the Moon. She earned her BFA in Fibers with minors in Fashion and Design for Sustainability from Savannah College of Art and Design. She specializes in creating garments that accomplish tasks and keep the wearer safe in extreme environments. Morgan currently works at the David Clark Company on the Aerospace Life Support Systems research and design team.

Matt Clark is the president of Millark Inc., including W&W Associates, Inc., and Identity Plus. Millark is a family-owned business specializing in custom labels and branding solutions, from woven to PVC labels. Since acquiring the two companies with his wife, Lisa, W&W Associates (2017) and Identity Plus (2023), Matt has leveraged over 55 years of industry expertise to transform the customer experience in sales and manufacturing from the W&W Associates and Identity Plus team. Matt holds an undergraduate degree from UNLV and an MBA from Roosevelt University. He has worked in sales, sales development, and executive management for the last 25 years, from food services, hearing device sales, and now in the textile industry

In addition to his role at W&W Associates, Matt serves as the President of the Fox Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). Under his leadership, the chapter has engaged in various community initiatives, including honoring local heroes and promoting historical preservation. Matt is also actively involved with the Pingree Grove and Countryside Fire Protection District, where he serves as Secretary. He also serves on the Three Fires Council Board, working with the local scouts in his community with programs, fundraising, and leadership training with youth.

Cindy Cordoba is an Assistant Professor at Cal Poly Pomona, a functional apparel designer, and PI of the HeatShield Apparel project, a California Climate Action Corps-funded initiative to design circular thermoregulating textiles for agricultural workers facing extreme heat. She holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University and an M.S. from Louisiana State University. She integrates fiber science, circular design, and user-centered research to develop next-gen protective clothing.

Elizabeth Denly serves as TRC’s PFAS Initiative Leader and Chemistry Director and leads a group of scientists devoted to staying informed of current PFAS issues, science, and regulations. She works on many different types of PFAS investigations with a specific focus on risk/liability assessment and management, chemistry, data interpretation, forensics, and analytical methodologies. Ms. Denly is an active leader on the Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) PFAS team and she won the 2017 and 2022 ITRC PFAS Team Member of the Year Awards for her contributions.

Robin DuBroy brings over 10 years of educational and training experience to Wholesale Shade. As Director of Operations at Shazeebo, a division of Wholesale Shade, she oversees all aspects of being a shade sail contractor from designing, selling, and marketing to training and project management giving her invaluable hands-on experience. Being a teacher at heart, Robin wrote the book on the shade sail industry and enjoys supporting the trade through training and education as part of the Shade Sail University system.

Adam Penner is an Authorized Rhino Trainer, CNC technician, and consultant who works to help businesses of all sizes transform their processes.

After graduating from the Colorado School of Mines in 2017 with his degree in Engineering Physics, Adam went to work at Paul's Custom Canvas. In 2019 Adam was part of the team at PCC to receive an MFA Outstanding Achievement award. Afterward, Adam went to work for SDS Automation where he installed and repaired automation equipment all over the world.

Combining all this experience at AP Consulting, Adam takes digital fabrication to the next level. He specializes in taking manual processes and digitizing them, combining artistry and craftsmanship with modern manufacturing techniques so that businesses can work more efficiently and profitably.

David is a skilled courtroom advocate and trusted business advisor for technology-focused companies facing high-stakes commercial and intellectual property disputes. As a partner in the IP & Technology Litigation Group at Robins Kaplan LLP, and a leader of the firm’s trade secret litigation practice, David provides pragmatic advice that aligns legal strategies with business goals, guiding his clients through complex legal disputes. David’s clients appreciate his leadership, integrity, and proven ability to deliver business-minded solutions for their most sophisticated commercial and IP-related challenges.

As an experienced trial attorney and counselor, David has represented clients from individual inventors and small businesses to Fortune 500 companies in the assertion and defense of their intellectual property and contractual rights. David’s record of success includes a judgment of more than $12 million for infringing upon patents covering audio player technology, as well as multiple confidential settlements in the maritime navigation industry involving the assertion of navigation and display patents applicable for navigating aircraft.

As defense counsel, David was lead trial counsel for two small-business clients in a jury trial on claims of copyright infringement, breach of contract, and tortious interference with prospective economic advantage; on the plaintiff’s jury demand of $27.4 million, a jury delivered a complete defense verdict in favor of our clients. The plaintiff had initially demanded over $160 million.

When not practicing law, David can be found on the sideline of a soccer, hockey, or softball game, or a dance competition, for one of his three children.

Jasper Rosenau is the Associate Sales Manager at Renegade Plastics, a company pioneering coated textiles to create a circular economy. He oversees sales and logistics across the Midwest and supports R&D initiatives. With a background in Chemistry and Biology from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay and experience in early-stage startups, Jasper brings a well-rounded perspective and a passion for driving positive change.