Awards

If you would like to nominate someone for an award, click here.

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Lifetime Achievement Award

This is PMA's highest award. Winners are esteemed individuals who throughout their careers have made extraordinary contributions to the success and stature of PMA or the polyurethane elastomers industry. Individuals may be nominated by any PMA member in writing to the PMA President. Nominations are then reviewed by the Board of Directors and recipients are awarded during the Annual Meeting each Spring.

2021

Joseph Scaletta Sr.
C.U.E. Inc

2019

Ronald Fuest
StateMix Ltd

2017

Don Barge
Griffith Polymers Inc

Bill Brown
Millennium Elastomers

Jerry Bryce
Coim USA Inc

Naureen Stone
LANXESS

2016

Howard Cox
StateMix Ltd

Chuck Demarest
Cerulean industries

Dick Palinkas
Coim USA Inc

Walt Smith
ITWC

2006

Jay Meili
Molded Dimensions
Nominated by Jamie Schmidt

2001

Richard J Gallagher Sr.
Gallagher Corporation
1st ever award, at 30th anniversary

Prior to 2000:

• Dan Stone
• Bob White
• Ian Mackenzie
• Paul Harker
• Peter Wright
• Doug Rodenburg
• Rodger Davis

President's Special Award

At times, the Awards Committee presents recognition in cases where contributions are notable, but members were not nominated for one of the above awards. Individuals are identified by the Awards Committee; nominations need not be submitted.

2021

Steve Seneker
Nominated by Gilbert Ellerbe for leading the design and commission of the Emission & Extraction study.

2006

Dave Pollock
Nominated by Eric Sheard for his commitment to PMA through his involvement with the PTS.

2001

Ted Culver
President of the British Rubber Manufacturers Association, for his leadership on issues of mutual concern to the members of both associations and special counsel to PMA’s members and staff.

2001

Joe Brothers
From the Gates Rubber Company, for initiating PMA’s strategic planning process and managing its implementation through its first major revision long past his terms as Association President and on the Board of Directors.

2001

Dr. Ron Fuest
From Uniroyal Chemical, for his many contributions to PMA including service on the Board of Directors and as the first Technology Division Manager, and as the author of PMA’s Speaker’s Bureau presentation.

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award is awarded to a member of PMA who has unselfishly given his or her time and resources for the benefit of Polyurethane Manufacturers Association. Individuals may be nominated by any PMA member in writing to the PMA President. Nominations are then reviewed by the Board of Directors, and recipients are awarded during the Annual Meeting each Spring.

2021

Dipak Parekh
Crosslink Technologies

2019

Jamie Schmidt
U.S.A. Drives Inc

2018

David Welch
Everchem Specialty Chemicals

Vincent Gajewski
Coim USA Inc

2016

Andy Clock
ADC Solutions LLC

Prior to 2000:

• Robert Gleason
  American Cyanamid Company
• Dr. Jay E. Meili
  Molded Dimensions, Inc.
• Arvid "Bud" Sather
  Michael Best & Friedrich
• Lou Sauer
  Dynasauer Corporation
• Eric Sheard
  Lescon, Inc.
• George Kilbride
  Mandrels Incorporated
• Ms. Michael McMIllin
  Dow Chemical (USA)
• Howard A. Smith
  Condux
• Robert Smith
  Thombert, Inc.
• Richard J. Gallagher, Sr.
  Gallagher Corporation
• Thomas R. Davis
  Palmer Davis Seika, Inc.

Best Technical Paper Awards

Awards are determined by the polling of member companies present at the Annual Meeting. One vote is counted for each member company in attendance immediately following the presentation of the papers.

2021

Robert Czeiszperger
Anderson Development Co.
"A Broad Evaluation of PO3G Polyols versus PTMEG in Low Free TDI-based Polyurethane Elastomers"
Paper presented at 2021 meeting at Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek in Salt Lake City, Utah.

2019

Robert Czeiszperger
Anderson Development Co.
"Effective Additives for Improving Abrasion Resistance in Polyurethane Elastomers"
Paper presented at 2019 meeting at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.

2018

Jim Manore
Vail Rubber Works
"Prevention of Scrap in Polyurethane Covered Rolls"
Paper presented at 2018 meeting at The Naples Beach Hotel, Naples, Florida

2017

Linda Katz & Sara Sina
Molded Dimensions, Inc
"Urethane Restoration Team"
Paper presented at 2017 meeting at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, BC, Canada

2016

Tom Peter
Chemtura Corp
"Choosing the best alternatives to MOCA cured TDI polyurethanes"
Paper presented at 2016 meeting at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV

2015

Steve Seneker
Anderson Development Co
"Ultra High-Performance Elastomers Based on Trans-Bis (Isocyanatomethyl Cyclohexane)"
Paper presented at 2015 meeting at The Omni Charlotte Hotel, Charlotte, NC

2014

Chuck Demarest
Cerulean Technologies
"Life Beyond MOCA"
Paper presented at 2014 meeting in J.W. Marriott in Phoenix, Arizona

2013

Wayne Willkomm
Novomer, Inc.
"Novel CO2-based Polycarbonate Polyols for Cast Urethanes"
Paper presented at 2013 meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada

2011

Ronald W. Fuest, Payam Towfigh
State Mix Ltd.
"Vertical Casting of Large Rolls Without Using Any Molds"
Paper presented at the 2011 meeting at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation, Florida

2010

Charles Demarest, Hari Sunkara
Aragon Elastomers & DuPont
"DuPont™ CerDuPont™ Cerenol® Polyol: A Novel Renewably Sourced Ingredient for Polyurethanes"
Paper presented at the 2010 meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada

2009

Mark Ferrandino
Chemtura Corporation
"Adiprene Duracast: An Easy to Use High-Performance Urethane System"
Paper presented at the 2009 meeting in Savannah, Georgia

2008

David Moore
Ticona Polymers
"UHMW-PE Micro Powder Additive for Cast Polyurethane"
Paper presented at the 2008 meeting in San Antonio, Texas

2006

Jeffrey Means
LORD Corporation
"Adhesives for Castable Polyurethane: A Process Review"
Paper presented at the 2006 meeting in Orlando, Florida

2005

Harry Coffee
Nautilus Composites
"Pultrusion of Fast-Gel Thermoset Polyurethanes: Processing Considerations and Mechanical Properties"
Paper presented at the 2006 meeting in Rancho Mirage, California

1994

Hal Wilkinson
Walt Disney World Company
"Dynamic Testing of Materials and Geometry for Transportation Wheels"
Paper presented at the 1994 meeting in Wesley Chapel, Florida

1993

Charles Demarest
Kryptonics, Inc.
"Engineering Solutions to Regulatory Issues"
Paper presented at the 1993 meeting in Portland, Oregon

1993

Reinaldo M. Machado
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
"The Current State of Technology for the Recycling of Polyurethane Plastics"
Paper presented at the 1993 meeting in Tucson, Arizona

1992

Shenshen Wu
Acushnet Company/Titleist/Foot-Joy W.W.
"Utilization of a Vibrating Needle Curemeter for Process Control"
Paper presented at the 1992 meeting in Boston, Massachusetts

1992

E.L. McInnis & S.A. Stocker
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
"Mechanisms and Test Methods for the Abrasive Wear of Polyurethane Elastomers"
Paper presented at the 1992 meeting in Allentown, Pennsylvania

1991

Susan M. Clift
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
"Designing Polyurethane Elastomers for Dynamic Applications"
Paper presented at the 1991 meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina

1990

Richard Palinkas
Uniroyal Chemical Company, Inc.
"Materials Characterization in Design of Elastomeric Parts"
Paper presented at the 1990 meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio

1990

Eric Sheard
Lescon, Inc.
"Removing Bubbles from Castable Liquid Polyurethane Raw Materials"
Paper presented at the 1990 meeting in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida

1989

Peter F.H. Plank
Air Products and Chemicals Inc.
"Airthane Perfect Polymers: Meeting Performance Requirements Through Technology"
Paper presented at the 1989 meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona

1989

Jan Cernosek
Photostrain
"Stress-freezing Photoelasticity - Cost Effective Design Tool"
Paper presented at the 1989 meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona

1988

Charles Demarest
Kryptonics, Inc.
"Resilience As A Design Criterion In Polyurethane Elastomers"
Paper presented at the 1988 meeting in Buffalo, New York

1988

Daniel L. Hertz, Jr.
Seals Eastern Inc.
"Elastomers as an Engineering Material"
Paper presented at the 1988 meeting in San Diego, California

1987

Robert H. Leitheiser
Freeman Chemical Corporation
"Hybrid Polyester Urethane Elastomers"
Paper presented at the 1987 meeting in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

1987

Chester Zawacki
Uniroyal Chemical Company
"ROYALCAST Castable Plastics -- A Growth Opportunity for the Polyurethane Caster"
Paper presented at the 1987 meeting in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada

1987

Richard Palinkas
Uniroyal Chemical Company
"Engineering with Polyurethanes"
Paper presented at the 1987 meeting in Dallas, Texas

1986

Stig Rosenquist
Universal Recreation
"Use of Polyurethanes on Foam Padded Water Rides"
Paper presented at the 1986 meeting in Nashville, Tennesse

1986

James Chapman
Mobay Corporation
"Hazardous Communication Standard Regulations"
Paper presented at the 1986 meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona

1986

Thomas Kern
Polaroid Corporation
"Oligomeric Diaminobenzoates: A Unique Class of Long Chain Reactive Amines"
Paper presented at the 1986 meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona

1985

Michael Szycher
Thermedics, Inc.
"Advanced UV-Curable Polyurethanes for Wound Dressings”
Paper presented at the 1985 meeting in Boston, Massachusetts

1985

Charles Snoek
The Upjohn Company
"Polyurethane -- the Second Wave”
Paper presented at the 1985 meeting in Atlanta, Georgia

1984

Eugene Chang
American Cyanamid Company
"Novel Cast Polyurethane Elastomers”
Paper presented at the 1984 meeting in Chicago, Illinois

1984

Michael Harms
Michael Harms Associates
"Marketing to the Oil Patch”
Paper presented at the 1984 meeting in Houston, Texas

1983

John E. Tiedemann
Essex Specialty Products Division; Elastomeric Products Department
"Development of Processable High Durometer Elastomer Systems"
Paper presented at the 1983 meeting in Miami, Florida

1983

Walt Smith
Thombert, Inc.
"Guide to Processing MDI Elastomers"
Paper presented at the 1983 meeting in Kansas City, Missouri

1982

David Tweet
Cargill, Inc.; Rhino-Hyde Products Department
"Comparison of Abrasion-Resistant Materials from the User's Viewpoint"
Paper presented at the 1982 meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico

1982

Eric A. Sheard
Lescon, Inc.
"The Manufacturers' Representative/Principal Relationship"
Paper presented at the 1982 meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1981

David Tweet
Cargill, Inc.; Rhino-Hyde Products Department
"The Everwear Bucket Story"
Paper presented at the 1981 meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana

1981

Lawrence Plummer
E. I. du Pont de Nemours
"Processing Characteristics of Cast MDI-Based Polyurethane Elastomers"
Paper presented at the 1981 meeting in Lincolnshire, Illinois

1980

Dr. Leo Ahramjiam
E. I. du Pont de Nemours
"New Caytur 21: A Novel Curative for Polyether Isocyanate Prepolymers"
Paper presented at the 1980 meeting in Buford, Georgia

1980

Dr. Herman V. Boenig
Lord Kinematics
"Thermal Limits in Urethane Polymers
Paper presented at the 1980 meeting in Bloomington, Minnesota

1979

T. R. McClellan
The Upjohn Company
"Cast Urethanes & RIM Processing: The MDI Bridge"
Paper presented at the 1979 meeting in San Diego, California

1979

Dr. Marion Rhodes
University of Massachusetts
"The Correlation of Morphology with Formulation, Processing and Properties of the Polyurethane Elastomers"
Paper presented at the 1979 meeting in Norfolk, Virginia

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If you would like to nominate someone for an award, click here.