CDA Staff

Adam Estelle Bio

Adam Estelle is the driving force behind the Copper Development Association (CDA) as its President and CEO. With a sharp focus on the needs of global copper producers and their downstream copper-alloy fabricator partners, he leads strategic initiatives to enhance the value of copper in society. His passion lies in unraveling complex challenges, a trait he's showcased through pioneering initiatives like establishing an ASTM standards subcommittee on copper scrap and recycling, and in demonstrating the safety and efficacy of lead-free brass rod alloys for drinking water products. Adam oversees a high-caliber team of subject matter experts that work up and down the value chain to drive lasting changes in the market while promoting, protecting, and defending the use of copper. Since joining CDA in 2008, Adam has leveraged his Bachelor of Science in Materials Science & Engineering from the University of Arizona to fuel the organization's growth and innovation. Outside of work, Adam enjoys being a dad, playing guitar, playing chess, and cheering for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Marcus Elmer Bio

Marcus Elmer is the Director of Tube and Fittings for the Copper Development Association. He is responsible for identifying and influencing market trends, opportunities, and threats for copper tube and fittings products through the development and execution of strategic programs involving technical research, codes and standards, advocacy and education. Marcus brings over 10 years of experience in the plumbing and mechanical industries developing, commercializing, and supporting both copper and polymer piping products. He saw the piping industry through a difference lens as a project manager with commercial plumbing, mechanical and refrigeration contractors. Marcus earned his Master of Business Administration from Union University in Tennessee and holds a Bachelor of Science in Construction from the University of Wisconsin - Stout. He currently lives in Wisconsin with his wife and two children.

John Hipchen Bio

John Hipchen is the Director of Electrical Systems for the Copper Development Association. He focuses primarily on copper's role in the clean energy transition and creating a carbon-neutral economy. John's role requires expert knowledge of the latest technologies for generating clean energy, as well as the most efficient use of energy in critical applications, such as transportation. He is proud of the growth of the Electric School Bus Coalition, which promotes a technically and economically viable alternative to diesel-powered school buses, limiting children's exposure to health risks connected with diesel emissions. With a special interest in clean vehicle technologies, John enjoys learning about new electric vehicles and advancements in energy storage, as well as going off-grid on bicycle trips.

Adam Kortba Bio

Adam Kotrba is the Director of Flat Products for the Copper Development Association. With a strong automotive engineering and product development background, Adam started with General Motors as a Test Engineer at their Milford Proving Grounds in Michigan on both car and truck platforms. Most of his career afterwards is in engine exhaust emissions controls with Tenneco, a Tier 1 supplier across not only automotive, but commercial trucks, construction and agriculture, as well as marine and locomotive industries as well. Adam managed the NA Advanced Engineering team and afterwards initiated a global team of Research and Product Management. Adam has over 20 granted patents and 50 technical publications, and he is recognized for his contributions in shaping diesel exhaust systems as they have advanced. Adam completed undergraduate studies at University of Virginia, earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, while his graduate studies were at Michigan State University, earning both a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). Adam has been happily married for thirty years and has three wonderful sons completing their undergraduate degrees at Michigan and Michigan State.

Harold Moret Bio

Harold Moret is the Project Manager and Piping Applications Specialist for Copper Development Association. He also provides engineering and architectural assistance, technical development (codes and standards) and installation training to the designers, specifier's, installers, state plumbing Inspectors and consumers of copper and copper alloy tube and fittings. He has over 35 years of professional experience in the building and plumbing and mechanical field. He is an active member of ASPE, PHCC and State Inspector Groups. His dedication, knowledge and long experience in the building trade industry serve him well as an educator.

Larry Peters Bio

Larry Peters is the Building Construction Project Manager for the Copper Development Association. A 1987 graduate of West Point, Larry has spent the past 25 years working exclusively with architectural metals. Professional experience includes extensive technical assistance and educational seminars to architects and engineers, management of hands-on sheet copper installation activities, and specialized classes such as historical architectural uses of copper and copper alloy designation/specification. He recently led a program resulting in successful testing of several traditional copper wall cladding (and roofing) systems to key ASTM standards. Larry represents the copper industry as a board member on the Roofing Industry Council on Weather Issues (RICOWI), and Chair of ASTM subcommittee E06.57 Performance of Metal Roof Systems.

Jessica Sanderson Bio

Jessica Sanderson is the Director of Sustainability & ESG for the Copper Development Association. In this position, Jessica engages with a multitude of stakeholders to navigate the sustainability aspects of the copper industry while providing CDA member companies clarity on effective means to strengthen the ESG performance of the industry. Jessica is a sustainability professional with roughly twenty years focused on supporting the positive social impacts of manufacturing. Prior to joining CDA, Jessica was Director, Sustainability at Novelis, the world’s leader in aluminum rolling and recycling and worked in the areas of sustainability and product safety at USG Corporation, a leading building materials manufacturer. During this time, Jessica progressed industry wide sustainability objectives through several regional and global industry associations, certification bodies and NGOs. Jessica earned her MBA at DePaul University, Masters of Public Health at Tulane University and graduated from Tulane undergraduate in Cell and Molecular Biology.

Erin Smith Bio

Erin Smith is a project manager within the Material Stewardship program at the Copper Development Association. Within the US Erin addresses health, environment, sustainability, and safety issues relevant to the US portion of the copper value chain in the HESS committee. Erin is part of a global team that together works with the copper industry to develop and defend markets for copper and to make a positive contribution to society's sustainable-development goals. In addition, Erin's role is to deliver the US portion of the value chain to the International Copper Associations (ICA) Material Stewardship program to ensure continued access to markets and position copper as a sustainable, responsibly sourced metal.

John Hilbert Bio

John Hilbert is the Director of Government Relations for the Copper Development Association, advocating for the US copper industry in front of Congress and Federal & State agencies. A 27-year veteran of Washington DC and Capitol Hill, John's areas of focus include energy, environment, health & safety, defense, and federal appropriations for the metals and materials industry. John began representing the copper industry in DC in 2003 and was instrumental in the creation of the CDA Government Affairs Committee (GAC) and the Copper Caucus. He has a BA in business from The Ohio State University and a JD from Washington & Lee University.

Crystal Rankin Bio

Crystal Rankin is the Manager of Marketing Communications for the Copper Development Association (CDA). With nearly a decade of experience of in the building and construction and manufacturing industries, Crystal is responsible for spearheading innovate campaigns that bring the value of copper and its alloys to society. She has worked alongside CDA since 2015 and has been instrumental in inserting CDA into the national conversation on lead service line replacement, as well as being the main driver behind CDA’s highly successful North American Copper in Architecture awards program.

Luis J. Lozano Bio

Lou Lozano is a metallurgical consultant tasked with answering technical inquiries from individuals and industry users. He is a member and representative of ASM International New Haven Connecticut Chapter. Lou began his career at the Anaconda American Brass Research and Technical Center in Waterbury, Connecticut and has held positions as metallurgical manager and quality control metallurgist at several manufacturers in Connecticut. His experience includes alloy and process development in welding and brazing processes.

Gene Shapiro Bio

Gene Shapiro is a Technical Consultant providing support to respond to inquiries received by CDA from users and the industry. He also is the CDA representative to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code. Gene was at Olin Brass (now Olin-Wieland) for many years at the research laboratory in New Haven, Connecticut and at the manufacturing facility in East Alton IL. His experience there included alloy and process development research, process reliability, quality and technical marketing services.

Amy Lotz Bio

Amy B. Lotz, CAE is the Chief of Staff for the Copper Development Association. Amy is focused on building strong relationships with the CDA team to influence outcomes and maintain strategic goals. She has more than 25 years of association experience with skills in volunteer management, membership engagement and development of non-dues revenue.

John Sekel Bio

John Sekel, CPA, is the Associate Vice President for the Copper Development Association, leading the financial arm of the association management operation. John’s extensive financial background includes stops in both the public and private sectors of accounting. John started his career in the public sector, focusing on individual taxation, and not-for profit auditing before transitioning into the private sector where he operated as a manager on the corporate accounting team at Gannett Co., Inc. While at Gannett, John oversaw USA Today’s accounting processes, focusing on revenue recognition and Events accounting. John earned his CPA in 2014 after graduating with a degree in Accounting from the University of Connecticut in 2012. John is local to the MCI McLean Headquarters, as he currently resides in Northern Virginia, where he as his wife, Jayme, recently welcomed their first-born daughter, Ava.