Change is afoot at the Plumbing Manufacturers Institute (PMI). Recently, the association announced the election of a new board director, as well as the appointment of a new committee co-chair and a new director of strategy and technology.

Newly elected to the PMI Board of Directors as a director at large is Fernando Fernandez, who currently serves as deputy director of codes and standards for TOTO USA. He said, "I enthusiastically look forward to serving my term on the board and contributing to shaping some key decisions that will help the membership and the growth of PMI." Fernandez, who also co-chairs the Plumbing Products Committee, will begin his appointment immediately.

Manager of product compliance for Price Pfister, Michael Martinez has been appointed the co-chair of the Universal Conformity Assessment Committee. He will serve with Maja Jankov, of Duravit USA, beginning with the 2010 PMI Spring Meeting, which will take place March 14-17 at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, CA.

PMI has also named David Hagopian director of strategy and technology  Prior to joining the association, Hagopian spent several years with Fortune Brands, where he most recently served as senior direct of technical innovation. In his new position at PMI, Hagopian will be responsible for analyzing and reporting proposed code and standard changes, maintaining and managing effective relationships with the association's members, certification agencies and industry peers, as well as representing PMI at various industry meetings. He can be contacted at PMI's headquarters at 847-481-5550 or via email at dhagopia@pmihome.org.