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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.
Joseph Scaletta Sr.
C.U.E. Inc
Ronald Fuest
StateMix Ltd
Don Barge
Griffith Polymers Inc
Bill Brown
Millennium Elastomers
Jerry Bryce
Coim USA Inc
Naureen Stone
LANXESS
Howard Cox
Anderson Development Company
Chuck Demarest
Cerulean industries
Dick Palinkas
Coim USA Inc
Walt Smith
ITWC
Jay Meili
Molded Dimensions
Nominated by Jamie Schmidt
Richard J Gallagher Sr.
Gallagher Corporation
1st ever award, at 30th anniversary
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.
Steve Seneker
Nominated by Gilbert Ellerbe for leading the design and commission of the Emission & Extraction study.
Dave Pollock
Nominated by Eric Sheard for his commitment to PMA through his involvement with the PTS.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Dipak Parekh
Crosslink Technologies
Jamie Schmidt
U.S.A. Drives Inc
David Welch
Everchem Specialty Chemicals
Vincent Gajewski
Coim USA Inc
Andy Clock
ADC Solutions LLC
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.
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.
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.
Jim Manore
Vail Rubber Works
"Prevention of Scrap in Polyurethane Covered Rolls"
Paper presented at 2018 meeting at The Naples Beach Hotel, Naples, Florida
Linda Katz & Sara Sina
Molded Dimensions, Inc
"Urethane Restoration Team"
Paper presented at 2017 meeting at The Westin Bayshore, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Tom Peter
Chemtura Corp
"Choosing the best alternatives to MOCA cured TDI polyurethanes"
Paper presented at 2016 meeting at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas, NV
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
Chuck Demarest
Cerulean Technologies
"Life Beyond MOCA"
Paper presented at 2014 meeting in J.W. Marriott in Phoenix, Arizona
Wayne Willkomm
Novomer, Inc.
"Novel CO2-based Polycarbonate Polyols for Cast Urethanes"
Paper presented at 2013 meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada
Huiling Ding Ph.D., William A. Wortman, Albert J. Nitowski
Chemtura Corporation
"Solving Commercial Polyurethane Challenges in the Modern Analytical Laboratory"
Paper presented at 2012 meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana
Donald P. Gallo, Esq., Donald W. Becker, P.E.
Alpha Terra Science, Inc. Reinhart Boerner van Deuren s.c.
"How to Set Up a Customized Electronic Environmental Management System"
Paper presented at 2012 meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana
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
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
Mark Ferrandino
Chemtura Corporation
"Adiprene Duracast: An Easy to Use High-Performance Urethane System"
Paper presented at the 2009 meeting in Savannah, Georgia
David Moore
Ticona Polymers
"UHMW-PE Micro Powder Additive for Cast Polyurethane"
Paper presented at the 2008 meeting in San Antonio, Texas
Dr. Douglas Backinger & Dr. Elmer Lee
Caster Concepts
"Development of a Predictive Failure Model for Polyurethane Treaded Wheels based on Loads and Speeds"
Paper presented at the 2007 meeting in Las Vegas, Nevada
Jeffrey Means
LORD Corporation
"Adhesives for Castable Polyurethane: A Process Review"
Paper presented at the 2006 meeting in Orlando, Florida
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
Ted Dwight
Dwight Products Inc.
"A Description of a Micro-Sprayer for Silicone Fluids"
Paper presented at the 2004 meeting in Atlanta Georgia
Walt Smith
ITWC
"Productivity on Purpose: A marriage of chemistry and machinery
keeps inline skate wheel production rolling in the U.S."
Paper presented at the 2006 meeting in Rancho Mirage, California
Ashok M. Sarpeshkar, Peter Markusch & Robert Cline
Bayer Corporation
"Designing Polyurethane Elastomers with Low compression Settings"
Paper presented at the 2002 meeting in Point Clear, Alabama
Charles Demarest
Kryptonics
"Designing with High-Resilience Urethane"
Paper presented at the 2001 meeting in Miami, Florida
Steven Reinstadtler
Bayer Corporation
"Determination of Optimal Processing Parameters of MID/Ester Prepolymers for Maximized Physical Properties & Molecular Weight"
Paper presented at the 2000 spring meeting in Wesley Chapel, FL
Walter Smith
ITWC, Inc.
"Flexcast Extending Polyurethane Part Design to the Limits of Your Imagination!"
Paper presented at the 2000 spring meeting in Wesley Chapel, FL
Dr. Mary Jo Kulp
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc
"Coupling High Performance Prepolymers with Tailored Cure Schedules to Provide Improved Performance and Production Efficiency"
Paper presented at the 1999 fall meeting in New Orleans, LA
Dr. Charles M. Bartish
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc
"Hazardous Cheemicals and You - Working Together; The Chemical Right-to-Know Program (ChemRTK)"
Paper presented at the 1999 spring meeting in Hilton Head, SC
Tom Klinger
CLI Laboratories, Inc
"Controlling Dermal Exposure to Isocyanates: Maintaining PMA's Leadership in Health and Safety"
Paper presented at the 1998 fall meeting in Baltimore, MD
Vincent Ricci
Uniroyal Chemical Company, Inc
"Durometer MEasurement as a Diagnostic Tool in Castable Urethane Technology"
Paper presented at the 1998 spring meeting in San Diego, CA
B.S. Lombardo, R.O. Rosenberg, J. Chin, T. Peter, A. Singh, and C.A. Zawacki
Uniroyal Chemical Company, Inc
"Advances in PPDI Prepolymer"
Paper presented at the 1997 fall meeting in Nashville, TN
Dr. Mary Jo Kulp and John Swafford
Air Products & Chemicals, Inc
"Optimizing High Hardness Elastomer Properties Through Isocyanate Blending"
Paper presented at the 1997 spring meeting in Houston, TX
Richard Palinkas
Uniroyal Chemical Company
"A Comparison of Rubber & Cast Polyurethane Material Properties in Typical Applications"
Paper presented at the 1996 fall meeting in Chicago, IL
Dr. Bryan Willoughby
RAPRA Technology, Ltd.
"The Scanning Vibrating Needed Curemeter - Development and Theory"
Paper presented at the 1996 spring meeting in Wesley Chapel, FL
Nigel Barksby
ARCO Chemical CO.
"New Polyether Polyols for Cast Elastomers"
Paper presented at the 1995 fall meeting in Pittsburg, PA
Walter W. Smith
Thombert Inc.
"Mold Shop Computer Use"
Paper presented at the 1995 spring meeting in Tuscon, AZ
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
Charles Demarest
Kryptonics, Inc.
"Engineering Solutions to Regulatory Issues"
Paper presented at the 1993 meeting in Portland, Oregon
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
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
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
Susan M. Clift
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
"Designing Polyurethane Elastomers for Dynamic Applications"
Paper presented at the 1991 meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina
Richard Palinkas
Uniroyal Chemical Company, Inc.
"Materials Characterization in Design of Elastomeric Parts"
Paper presented at the 1990 meeting in Cincinnati, Ohio
Eric Sheard
Lescon, Inc.
"Removing Bubbles from Castable Liquid Polyurethane Raw Materials"
Paper presented at the 1990 meeting in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida
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
Jan Cernosek
Photostrain
"Stress-freezing Photoelasticity - Cost Effective Design Tool"
Paper presented at the 1989 meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona
Charles Demarest
Kryptonics, Inc.
"Resilience As A Design Criterion In Polyurethane Elastomers"
Paper presented at the 1988 meeting in Buffalo, New York
Daniel L. Hertz, Jr.
Seals Eastern Inc.
"Elastomers as an Engineering Material"
Paper presented at the 1988 meeting in San Diego, California
Robert H. Leitheiser
Freeman Chemical Corporation
"Hybrid Polyester Urethane Elastomers"
Paper presented at the 1987 meeting in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
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
Richard Palinkas
Uniroyal Chemical Company
"Engineering with Polyurethanes"
Paper presented at the 1987 meeting in Dallas, Texas
Stig Rosenquist
Universal Recreation
"Use of Polyurethanes on Foam Padded Water Rides"
Paper presented at the 1986 meeting in Nashville, Tennesse
James Chapman
Mobay Corporation
"Hazardous Communication Standard Regulations"
Paper presented at the 1986 meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona
Thomas Kern
Polaroid Corporation
"Oligomeric Diaminobenzoates: A Unique Class of Long Chain Reactive Amines"
Paper presented at the 1986 meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona
Michael Szycher
Thermedics, Inc.
"Advanced UV-Curable Polyurethanes for Wound Dressings”
Paper presented at the 1985 meeting in Boston, Massachusetts
Charles Snoek
The Upjohn Company
"Polyurethane -- the Second Wave”
Paper presented at the 1985 meeting in Atlanta, Georgia
Eugene Chang
American Cyanamid Company
"Novel Cast Polyurethane Elastomers”
Paper presented at the 1984 meeting in Chicago, Illinois
Michael Harms
Michael Harms Associates
"Marketing to the Oil Patch”
Paper presented at the 1984 meeting in Houston, Texas
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
Walt Smith
Thombert, Inc.
"Guide to Processing MDI Elastomers"
Paper presented at the 1983 meeting in Kansas City, Missouri
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
Eric A. Sheard
Lescon, Inc.
"The Manufacturers' Representative/Principal Relationship"
Paper presented at the 1982 meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
David Tweet
Cargill, Inc.; Rhino-Hyde Products Department
"The Everwear Bucket Story"
Paper presented at the 1981 meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana
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
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
Dr. Herman V. Boenig
Lord Kinematics
"Thermal Limits in Urethane Polymers
Paper presented at the 1980 meeting in Bloomington, Minnesota
T. R. McClellan
The Upjohn Company
"Cast Urethanes & RIM Processing: The MDI Bridge"
Paper presented at the 1979 meeting in San Diego, California
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