Star Plastics, Inc., Market Development Manager
- Present — 3 years 5 months
Star Plastics, Inc is a dependable compounder of engineering-grade thermoplastics headquartered in Ravenswood, WV. With an accomplished full-service laboratory to develop, test, and process materials, Star Plastics offers high-quality custom compounding (known for lot-to-lot consistency), and sourcing, supplying, and tolling polymers. The team at Star prides itself on being responsive to customer requirements with a high level of technical aptitude and strong of product knowledge.
Global Reach Plastics, President / Owner
- Present — 3 years 9 months
Greater Chicago Area
Plastic Distribution, Marketing, Engineering, and Consulting
TOSAF ISRAEL, Plastic Industry Expert / Business Development Manager - Flame Retardant Masterbatch
- 9 months
HQ @ MOSHAV TNUVOT, ISRAEL
Recruited to evaluate the US market potential for flame retardant masterbatches manufactured in Israel. After years of trying to build sales in North America from Israel, Tosaf decided to bring in an electrical/electronic plastic expert to assess the market. The initial strategy was to consider its European / Asian platform based on products sold in these countries.
Due to product liability concerns and lack of experience blending masterbatches and resins in-house, it was determined that US manufacturers were unwilling to switch from “fully compounded” UL-approved flame retardant products to save cost.
Completed an in-depth analysis of numerous market segments that included building and construction (expanded polystyrene foam & sheet boards, fire sprinklers, in-wall piping, etc.), electrical/electronic (circuit breakers, connectors, & other numerous flame retardant applications), artificial grass, wire and cable, automotive, lighting, plumbing, packaging, and compounders.
Utilized a detailed understanding of the halogen and halogen-free flame-retardant market, FR additives, and local suppliers.
Evaluated UL and ASTM flame testing requirements, test methods, procedures, and approval processes.
Assessed in-house blending of FR MBs with base resins versus using fully compounded grades with FR powders.
Coordinated with Ravago’s manufacturing plants to access where the lowest-cost compounding location for FR MBs and fully compounded grades. (Determined USA production using locally supplied FR additive powders was the most economical).
LATI INDUSTRIA TERMOPLASTICI S.P.A, North American Business Development Manager
- 4 years 4 months
Greater Chicago Area (HQ @ VEDANO OLONA, ITALY)
In charge of the total profit and loss accountability for the North America business
Responsible for managing the toll compounding of LATI materials at Omni Plastics (Celanese – after the buyout).
Handled the procurement of raw materials through Omni / Celanese and the importation from Italy through LATI.
Presided over customer orders, shipments, invoicing, stock levels, quality, customer, and toll compounding price negotiations.
Performed part design reviews, material selection, and prototyping assistance also managed distributors and distribution of LATI materials
Recognized for increasing sales from virtually zero to over $8MM, annually.
ALBIS PLASTICS, Electrical / Electronic Business Development Manager
- 3 years 8 months
Chicago, IL (HQ @ HAMBURG, GERMANY)
Accepted the E/E position to forge a partnership between LATI and Albis, both having their own strengths and weakness, compared to the established resin producers/compounders in NA.
Selected to train the sales team on LATI’s extensive flame retardant and specialty grades
In charge of material selection, engineering support, mold trails, and CAD/CAM assistance through LATI Italy
Increased annual sales by $6MM.
POLYONE CORPORATION, Global Strategic Account Manager
- 3 years 8 months
Chicago (HQ @ AVON LAKE, OH)
Successful moved the company’s largest most important customers under one corporate group responsible for setting the strategic direction and providing a central point of contact.
Managed ITW, Emerson Electric, Kraft Foods, and Motorola with combined annual sales of $25MM.
Developed global strategies as complex as ITW with its 850+ companies in 55 countries to significantly increase the efficiency of the five (5) business organizations competing in these highly competitive markets.
Created $3MM in target opportunities through a comprehensive analysis of existing business, sales translation programs, global team calls concentrating on core competencies, and corporate partnerships at active/new locations.
Led a cross-functional team on a four (4) year / $6MM development food and beverage R&D project that required approval through the Chinese Ministry of Health, FDA as well as the European Union Regulatory & European Food Safety Authority.
Partnered with multi-national customer engineering teams to define material requirements, product testing, and pricing.
TICONA / CELANESE, Market Development Specialist
- 2 years 4 months
(HQ @ FLORENCE KY)
Led and oversaw a team of six (6) application development engineers, market development, and sales account managers working with the major automotive companies, and their tier suppliers.
Increased annual sales by $5MM within a $20MM potential market over two(2) years by leading the North American Automotive Interior Celstran® long fiber reinforced thermoplastics (LFRT) business team charged with developing door panels and dashboard components.
Segmented the Electrical / Electronics industry into target niche markets, which offered the highest returns and greatest growth potentials for Ticona’s materials.
LATI USA, Electrical / Electronics Market Manager
- 8 years 9 months
Chicago (HQ @ VEDANO OLONA, ITALY)
Newly formed LATI USA venture requiring an industry expert to develop and implement an Electrical / Electronic business plan.
Recognized as highest rank sales contributor responsible for generating 58% of LATI’s sales in the USA.
Negotiated multi-year, $20M global contract with Schneider Electric to supply flame-retardant and glass-filled compounds also negotiated multi-year, $10MM global contract with Emerson Electric to supply glass, lubricated, and alloyed grades.
EASTMAN CHEMICAL COMPANY, Senior Account Development Leader
- 6 years 5 months
Chicago (HQ @ KINGSPORT, TN)
Accepted newly created position responsible for the sale of a new high-temperature Polyester ‘PCT’ polymer. Charged with developing market and product strategies, product literature, and sales presentations, while determining which niche segments offered the highest returns at the lowest barriers of entry. Key customers included Molex, Lake Center Industries, Cinch Connectors, Grayhill, Thomas & Betts, Methode Electronics, 3M, Seagate, Augat, Mallory, Motorola, and Robinson Nugent.
Averaged 125% annual sales growth after the first year.
Managed complex projects that required multi-location sales and service at all customer levels.
Increased annual sales to $8MM after four years in a highly competitive market.
Constructed a satellite office in Lake St Louis, MO, to work directly with Emerson Electric’s design and manufacturing engineers on the development of plastic components used in a wide array of Emerson products.
TEXAS INSTRUMENT, Military R&D Plastics Engineer / Mil-Spec Procurement Leader
- 4 years 6 months
Dallas/Fort Worth Area (HQ @ DALLAS, TX)
Developed various types of compression molded radomes to protect leading-edge radar systems located on jet fighter wings (required a secret clearance). Created and updated military specifications for TI’s military defense division suppliers.
SPE Positions Held
No Positions Held
Education
University of South Florida
B.S.Chemical Engineering
-
Southern Methodist University
M.S.Mechanical Engineering
-
Southern Methodist University
Mechanical Engineering
Professional/Personal Development
Managing Forwarders, Brokers & Carriers, International Supply Chain Training
Six Sigma, Two-week in-depth training class
Business Management, Eastman Chemical, Kingsport, TN, 1997
(Internal Business Management & Global Economics program consisting of thirteen classes (one week @ class))
Tony Robbins Seminar, Unleash the Power Within
Myers-Briggs Seminar, Understanding Personality Traits and People
Summary
Held numerous North America and Global leadership roles both in Sales/Marketing and Technical at various plastics companies around the world.
Provided consulting services for years
Engineering degrees in both Chemical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, focusing on plastics.
Additional Information
Have been a tutor in both chemistry and math since my first year in college. Working with students to help them understand these subjects better.
My strengths lie in being able to work with all types of personalities and ages. This is shown over the years based on my individual and leadership roles in technical, sales and marketing.
Hobbies and Activities — Scuba Diving, Water Skiing, Motorcycle Riding, Gym, Tutoring/Volunteering.
Color and Appearance Division Call for Papers
Any paper related to the color and/or appearance of plastic will be considered. Appropriate topics might apply to one of these categories:
Color Measurement
Testing and Quality Control
Color Matching Techniques
Processing and Equipment
Materials (Colorants, Additives, Polymers)
Property Retention/Durability
Instrumentation and Test Methods
Regulatory Issues
Color Trends
Decorative or Special Effects
Other Color/Appearance Related Topic
SPE Additive Manufacturing Special Interest Group Call for Papers
SPE Additive Manufacturing Special Interest Group invites you to submit your original work in the area of additive manufacturing/3D printing (3Dp) of plastics/composites.
SPE Composites Division Call for Papers
Any paper related to composites will be considered. Appropriate topics might apply to one of these categories:
SPE Recycling Division is currently soliciting high-quality papers that expound on the very latest technologies. Be part of this exciting session by sharing your company or institution's recent advances and help us identify new technologies that will proliferate sustainability. Paper topics include, but are not limited to:
Chemical and mechanical recycling
Circularity of materials
Tackling challenges in plastic waste
Sustainability in materials, design and manufacturing
Novel methods for deconstructing and upcycling existing plastic waste
Innovative applications for material repurpose, reuse, recycle and upcycle
SPE Engineering Properties & Structure Division Division Call for Papers
SPE Engineering Properties & Structure Division is focused on new topics and fundamental understanding in the interplay of plastics engineering and polymer science. This year, we are addressing the theme of:
“Tailoring Polymers for Targeted Performance”
Paper topics include, but are not limited to:
Antimicrobial and antiviral polymer systems
Multi-layer polymer structures and adhesion
Reactive processing of polymers and coatings
Coating and confinement effects on physical properties
Inorganic composites and nanocomposites
Modification of polymers for improved sustainability
We welcome papers on novel research in polymer science and engineering, polymer structure-property relationships, and mechanistic understanding of practical or applied problems.
Bioplastics and Renewable Technologies Division Call for Papers
Any paper related to bioplastics and/or renewable technologies will be considered. Appropriate topics
might apply to one of these categories:
Innovations in Bio-based and/or biodegradable polymers and plastics
Compostable or biodegradable Packaging and food contact innovations
Additives for bio-based and biodegradable plastics
Advancements in recycling of bioplastics
New durable and biodegradable applications introduced in 2020
Multi-use bio-based products
Biodegradability of polymers and plastics outside of managed waste streams
Technical Developments in Bioplastics or Bio-composites
Carbon footprint and Life Cycle Assessment
New Legislation and Regulations
Breakthrough Process Technologies
Innovative Applications and/or end uses
Home and Industrial Compost-ability
If you have any questions, please contact our Technical Program Chair for ANTEC® 2021
Frank J. Popola.
SPE Plastic Pipe and Fittings SIG Call for Papers
Plastics play a major role in the piping industry. Applications include gas and water distribution, gas gathering/oil field production, residential plumbing, rehabilitation, irrigation, drain waste and vent, fire suppression system and many others. The choice of polymers instead of traditional pipe materials is due to the advancement in pipe materials, additive technology, processing systems, material characterization and test methods. Plastic pipe and fittings SIG is soliciting papers for the ANTEC® 2021, March 22 - March 26 at the Sheraton Denver in Downtown Denver, Colorado. Topics to be covered will include:
Development of new pipe & fittings materials
Innovation in processes including joining and installation
Advances in test methods
New applications of existing technology
Success stories and challenges in plastic pipe applications
Topics of current interest to the pipe and fittings industry
Papers dealing with these or allied topics will be considered for Plastic Pipe and Fittings sessions. The sessions will provide a unique meeting point to discuss current trends and opportunities for any professional working on pipe and fittings area comprised of thermoplastic and/or thermoset materials. This year, the SIG is also soliciting Technical Marketing Presentations which will be organized into sessions focused on specific topical areas. These sessions are intended to be a forum where new products, processes, and services can be effectively shared with ANTEC® attendees in a timely manner. While not intended as a sales presentation, no written paper is will be required. Rather a presentation is required that will be subject to review and approval by the ANTEC Advisory Committee.
We are also thrilled to announce that this year’s best presentation award will be sponsored by the SIG Organizing Committee. The award recognizes technology advancements for thermoplastic piping systems which connect communities through infrastructures in gas and water distribution, gas gathering/oil field production, residential plumbing, rehabilitation, irrigation, drain waste and vent, fire suppression systems and many others.
Inquiries—Please contact Nathanial Evans
Technical Program Co-Chair, Plastic Pipe and Fittings SIG n.evans@bryanhaugerconsulting.com; Tel: +1 918.607.0619
SPE Mold Technologies Division Call for Papers
SPE Mold Technologies Division is glad to announce that submissions for the 2021 ANTEC conference are now being accepted. Mold designers, engineers, makers, researchers, and educators, are all invited to present their research and development updates at our session! This would be the opportunity to connect with experts in your field and share great discussions around mold technologies and innovations. Submissions for the following topics are suggested:
Innovation in mold design, engineering, and making technologies;
Mold maintenance;
Mold surface engineering and treatments;
Mold design education and workforce development;
Impact of COVID-19 on the plastic mold industry;
And more…
The conference will be held in a hybrid format allowing everyone to participate, present, and engage remotely. Last year, the remote ANTEC® 2020 conference was a success for the Mold Technology Division, with more than 150 participants to our session and great Q&A discussion.
For additional information please contact our Technical Programming Chair, Davide Masato, Davide_Masato@uml.edu
The Flexible Packaging Division is looking for technically oriented papers and presentations on topics related to flexible packaging.
Examples include:
improvements in barrier;
new tie layer systems;
flexible packaging equipment;
breakthroughs in flexible package recycling;
sustainable packaging solutions;
smart & active packaging;
e-commerce solutions;
film extrusion and converting technologies;
flexible package testing;
And, novel pack functionality
SPE Polymer Analysis Division Call for Papers
SPE Polymer Analysis Division (PAD) invites presentations for ANTEC 2021 on the following topics, as well as others that can be considered Polymer Analysis.
Processing-structure-properties relationships
Analysis of biobased and biodegradable polymers/composites
Hyphenated characterization techniques
Emerging methods of polymer spectroscopy
Characterization and analysis of polymers/blends/composites/ nano-materials/microfluidics/hydrogels/fibers/polymer additives
Biocompatibility of plastics
Advances in polymer analysis techniques
Instrumental innovations
SPE Applied Rheology Division Call for Papers
Applied Rheology Division of SPE aims to bring together academic and industrial scientists and researchers to share their research results and most recent innovations on all aspects of polymer rheology. The topics can be, but not limited to the following area:
Theoretical and experimental work in all areas of rheology
Relationships of processing-structure-rheology
Rheology of polymer solutions, polymer melt, composites and colloid systems
Application of rheology in innovative processing, product development and failure analysis
In addition to the industrial researchers and academic professionals, the graduate students are strongly encouraged to participate this virtual conference. The “Best Student Paper” in the Applied Rheology Division will be selected and awarded.
SPE Decoration and Assembly Division Call for Papers
You are invited to submit a paper for publication and presentation.
The Decoration and Assembly Division is looking for papers on the following topics:
Post Covid-19 treatments and coatings for plastic surfaces
Digital (ink jet) plastic decoration
Adhesives for difficult to bond plastic surfaces
Sustainable choices for plastic decoration
Advances in laser technologies for decorated plastic
Surface preparation for plastic decoration
Decoration processes for additive manufactured parts
Smart materials and coating technologies to create smart surfaces
SPE Building and Infrastructure Division Call for Papers
ANTEC® 2021 Building and Infrastructure section call for all the papers that are related to Building and Infrastructure applications, especially new or improved materials (composite materials, recycle materials, energy saving materials, sustainable materials, self-healing/repairing materials, smart materials, polymers and additives), new technologies, new applications and new regulations under the following application suggestion list, but not limited to the list.
Roofing, siding, fence, deck, trim boards, windows, doors, floors
Pipes, insulations, wire & cable, bath and kitchens