The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) has announced that Lynda Kelly and Carl Cucuzza are the recipients of the 2025 INDA Lifetime Service Awards.
Kelly and Cucuzza are being recognized for their key contributions to the advancement of the nonwovens industry and INDA.
“I am thrilled to recognize Carl and Lynda for their exceptional dedication and impactful contributions,” says Matt O’Sickey, Ph.D., director of education and technical affairs at INDA. “Their unwavering commitment and tireless advocacy play vital roles in shaping the future of the nonwovens industry. I am looking forward to seeing and giving them their Awards at Hygienix and IDEA®25.”
- Cucuzza will receive his award during the Hygienix™ Conference Nov. 18 at 4:30 p.m.
- Lynda Kelly will receive her award during IDEA®25 April 29 at 4:45 p.m.
Lynda Kelly
“I am truly humbled and honored to receive the INDA Lifetime Service Award,” says Kelly. “Growing up in this amazing industry has been a remarkable journey, working alongside so many incredible colleagues across the globe to develop and sell unique nonwoven product solutions and technologies. As an industry, we have achieved so much over the decades, and I am proud to have been part of its evolution. It has truly been an incredible experience!”
Kelly served as senior vice president, Americas & Business Development for Suominen Corporation until her retirement in 2023. She dedicated nearly a decade to Suominen, where she led the Care team, then transitioned to lead the Americas sales team alongside global product and business development professionals.
Kelly began her career at Kendall, which later merged into International Paper/Veratec and eventually became BBA Nonwovens. Throughout her tenure, she managed sales and marketing across various sectors, advancing into leadership roles. Early in her career, she embraced an expatriate assignment in Toronto, Canada, which provided her with early exposure to the rapidly growing spunmelt market.
In addition to her time at Suominen, Kelly brought deep expertise to the nonwovens industry through 11 years at First Quality Nonwovens, where she helped expand their spunmelt nonwovens offerings in the medical market.
Kelly was a key member of INDA’s AAMI medical disposable standards committee, helping to shape critical industry-wide guidelines. From 2019 to 2022, she served on the INDA Board of Directors, navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by the pandemic and advocating for collaboration across the sector. While at Suominen, she championed wellness-focused events like the “Run or Walk with Suominen,” blending industry engagement with health, fun and community.
Carl Cucuzza
“I am deeply honored and thankful to receive this Lifetime Service Award from INDA. It has been a blessing to collaborate with a close-knit community of dedicated professionals who continually innovate in ways that improve lives while protecting the environment,” says Cucuzza. “I’m grateful for the recognition and continue to be excited to see steady growth through the entrepreneurial spirit that is a hallmark of this industry.”
Cucuzza, before retirement, was president and managing partner of Teknoweb North America, a supplier of converting equipment for wet and dry wipes, facemasks and similar disposable products. He also partnered with his son in establishing the Hot Melt Supply Company, which provides service and support for adhesive applications in the disposables, product assembly, and packaging industries.
Prior to that, he was general manager of Newco Enterprises, Inc. and global sales and marketing manager for the Nonwovens Systems Group of Nordson Corporation. In that role, Cucuzza directly managed the North American and European sales efforts to disposables producers and personally coordinated hot melt systems sales and support activities for a major producer’s global baby diaper production expansion through the 1990s.
Cucuzza is a past board member of INDA, organizing committee member, moderator and presenter for over 35 years at Vision, WOW, Hygienix and various other domestic and international conferences. The state of Georgia has recognized him with the Award for Product Development and Management Excellence and has received seven patents for machinery and processes for the production of disposable products. He has also published numerous technical papers and articles, consulted on disposable projects, and acted as an expert witness.
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