The Spring Manufacturers Institute (SMI) has announced the election of David DeVoe to a two-year term as the association’s new president. DeVoe is president of John Evans’ Sons in Lansdale, Pennsylvania and vice president of North American operations for Lesjöfors Group U.S., which includes Plymouth Spring, John Evans’ Sons, Inc., Tollman Spring Company LLC and Lesjöfors Springs America Inc.

DeVoe takes over for Don Jacobson III, who served as SMI president from 2024 to 2026. Jacobson is a director at Newcomb Spring Corp. where he serves as the vice president of business development out of their facility in Ooltewah, Tennessee. He will continue to serve SMI as immediate past president.

In addition, Dave Deerwester, president of The Yost Superior Company, Springfield, Ohio, is SMI’s new vice president. Joe Devany, vice president of manufacturing, Betts Company, Fresno, California, will serve as secretary/treasurer. Julie Arenz, president of R&L Spring and Medicoil in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, is the at-large member of SMI’s executive committee.

DeVoe began his career as a tool and die apprentice in trade school. He entered the spring industry in 1985 as a coiler at Dayon Manufacturing. He joined Plymouth Spring in 1994, rising from coiling foreman to plant manager, then vice president of manufacturing. He was promoted to president in 2017 and served in that role until 2025, when he departed to lead John Evans’ Sons. DeVoe is also the current president of the New England Spring & Stamping Association (NESMA).

As SMI’s new president, DeVoe’s priorities are clear. He wants to keep SMI strong as the industry’s technical authority, grow the association’s Emerging Leaders and Women in Springs groups and elevate associate members by creating more opportunities for meaningful engagement. He also wants to increase member involvement.

“SMI is a group of experts,” DeVoe says. “We dictate the tolerances the industry uses every day. Without SMI, someone else would dictate them for us. It is my honor to step into this new role as president.”

DeVoe was installed as president at the 2026 SMI Annual Meeting, March 5—9, at the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. SMI will hold its 2027 Annual Meeting at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, Rancho Mirage, California, April 12-15, 2027.

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