The Valve Manufacturers Association elected Sam Bennardo, president of AUMA Actuators, as 2009 chairman. Bennardo was preceded as chairman by Steve Twellman, president and CEO of Global Flow Technologies. Twellman will continue on the VMA board as immediate past chairman. Elected as vice chairman for 2009 was Mike Mason, executive vice president, Fisher Controls. Max Mitchell, president, Fluid Handling Group, Crane Co., Stamford, CT, will serve as VMA’s program chairman for 2009.