The 2008 President’s Cup recipient is Gail R. Bristol.  Gail began her career at SPE on September 1, 1981.  Within 9 months of her employment in the programs department, Gail was asked if she would like to take on a different role at SPE that would involve working with the volunteers who run the organization on the Section, Division and Student Chapter levels.  Over the next 17 years, in her roles as Manager of Section/Division Services and then Field Services Director, Gail directed all aspects of service to SPE’s affiliate groups.  During her tenure, Gail assisted in the development of 13 new SPE Sections, six new SPE Divisions, countless new Student Chapters, and the development and implementation of the concept of Special Interest Groups, exploring new technical areas to incorporate into SPE. 

Many SPE volunteers benefited from the training sessions Gail provided over the years to SPE’s volunteers.  Gail developed the SPE Speakers List and the SPE Consultants Directory.  She served as editor for 15 years of Section/Division News – a bi-monthly newsletter for volunteer leaders.  Many of the SPE operational manuals still in place today were originally written by Gail. 

In 1996, SPE decided to look into the establishment of a Foundation within the Society.  Gail volunteered to explore this new opportunity for SPE.  Once a decision was made to establish The SPE Foundation, Gail drafted the Foundation bylaws and incorporated the new organization, which she heads.  As Managing Director, Gail manages all the philanthropic efforts of the organization.  Since 1996, the scholarship program has expanded from providing $25,000 in scholarships a year to over $100,000/year.  Grants were not available in 1996; now the Foundation provides approximately $50,000 each year for educational programs or equipment.

Gail also oversees SPE’s awards programs – from the prestigious International Award to numerous awards to the Society’s affiliate groups.  She is the editor of Leadership e-News, a monthly electronic publication that is sent to SPE’s volunteer leadership to keep them updated on Society programs and events.  She works with numerous SPE committees, including SPE’s Bylaws & Policies Committee.  From 2003-2006, this committee worked on one of the most major changes SPE has seen – the complete rewriting of its Bylaws and the dissolution of its Constitution. 

Service to SPE is a description that fits Gail’s role over the past 27 years.  She was recognized for that service in 2004 when she became the first recipient of the Society of Plastics Engineers James Toner Service Excellence Award.