Award nominations are now open for 2025! All nominations must be submitted by Friday, January 31st.
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.
2023
Andrew Clock
ADC Solutions
Mike Kocak
CUE Inc
2022
Don Culbertson
Omni Technologies Inc
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
Anderson Development Company
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.
2022
Michael Katz
Molded Dimensions LLC
Linda Katz
Molded Dimensions LLC
Steve Seneker
Anderson Development Co.
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.
2024
Robert Czeiszperger
Anderson Development
"Short Postcures: When is it okay and when could it get you into trouble?"
2023
Nathan S. Purwanto
Northwestern University
"Effective Routes to High-Performance, Elastomeric, Cross-linked Polyurethane-like Materials That are Recyclable with Full Cross-link Density and Property Recovery"
Paper presented at 2023 meeting at the Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Florida
2022
Joseph Pugar
Carnegie Mellon University
"Elucidating the Physicochemical Basis of the Glass Transition Temperature in Linear Polyurethane Elastomers with Machine Learning"
Paper presented at 2022 meeting in Houston, Texas
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
2012
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
2012
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
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
2007
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
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
2004
Ted Dwight
Dwight Products Inc.
"A Description of a Micro-Sprayer for Silicone Fluids"
Paper presented at the 2004 meeting in Atlanta Georgia
2003
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
2002
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
2001
Charles Demarest
Kryptonics
"Designing with High-Resilience Urethane"
Paper presented at the 2001 meeting in Miami, Florida
2000
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
2000
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
1999
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
1999
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
1998
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
1998
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
1997
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
1997
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
1996
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
1996
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
1995
Nigel Barksby
ARCO Chemical CO.
"New Polyether Polyols for Cast Elastomers"
Paper presented at the 1995 fall meeting in Pittsburg, PA
1995
Walter W. Smith
Thombert Inc.
"Mold Shop Computer Use"
Paper presented at the 1995 spring meeting in Tuscon, AZ
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
