MTI Fellows

DALE HEFFNER
2023

Heffner represented Electrochemical (now part of Knight Materials Technologies, LLC) for nearly 25 years. He served as BOD Vice Chair from 2005-2007 and BOD Chair from 2008-2010, and has been a member of the BOD since 2004. He has served as the Polymers PDC Chair since 2004. He displays a deep understanding of the history and intentions of the organization, and continues to be a major promoter of the MTI culture.

ED NAYLOR
2022

Naylor represented Nouryon (formerly Akzo Nobel) for 25 years. He served as TAC Chair, Board Chair, PDC Chair, and a Project Champion for multiple projects. Under his leadership MTI created a standing Website Committee and he was essential in redefining MTI's PDCs for project development. He has always been a champion of inclusive MTI culture and continues to be an Ambassador for MTI.

STEVEN SPRINGER
2021

Springer was the TAC Representative and Designated Representative for DuPont/Chemours and served on the Board of Directors for many years. He was an expert in flexible hoses and shared his knowledge with MTI on several occasions. He also participated in multiple project teams and PDCs, and he was instrumental in writing and updating Technical Awareness Bulletins. 

ROBERT SINKO
2020

Sinko began participating in MTI in 1995 when colleague Gary Whittaker brought him to his first meeting. He championed and was an active member on numerous project teams and was frequently engaged in the TAC Forum discussions. In addition, he served as Board Chair and was an active Board member. Sinko passed away unexpectedly in 2022.

GARY WHITTAKER
2016

Whittaker began participating in MTI meetings in 1989 as a Member Representative for Eastman. He championed and was an active member on numerous project teams. Whittaker was TAC Chair from 1996-1999, leading MTI’s technical advisory council meetings in North America. From 2004-2007, he served as Board Chair. 

GENE LIENING
2016

Liening began participating in MTI meetings in 1982 as a TAC Representative for Dow. He was TAC Chair from 1991-1992, leading MTI’s technical advisory council meetings in North America. Liening began serving on the Board of Directors in 1989, was Chair from 2002-2004, and remained an active member until 2015. 

EMORY FORD
2015

Ford began his long association with MTI as Equistar/Lyondell’s TAC Representative in the 1990s. He served on the MTI staff as an Associate Director from 2001-2017. He is an advocate for MTI and led the charge to develop University outreach and relations.

PRADIP KHALADKAR
2014

Khaladkar has been a pioneer, innovator and driver in the development of numerous polymer projects and is recognized as a valuable resource for member companies when non-metallic questions are posed. He served diligently as a resource advisory group leader (now project development committees), the champion of many projects, relentless project team member and on the MTI Board of Directors.

JAMES M. MACKI
2011

Macki served on MTI's Board of Directors in 1979 and, after a hiatus from the organization, became an Associate Director in 1995 when he retired from The Dow Chemical Company. He became Executive Director in 1998 and helped guide MTI's growth and other important goals set forth in its Strategic Plan. Macki's many achievements included overseeing the organization's expansion into Europe and Asia.

WILLIAM C. FORT, III
2010

Fort joined MTI in 1993. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 1996 and served as Chairman from 1999-2001. Always active in a variety of MTI activities, including project champion, he most notably led a project working to better understand the conditions leading to hydriding of titanium under conditions of interest to member companies. He could always be counted on to actively contribute to the forum with both questions and answers. 

W.B.A. (SANDY) SHARP
2006

Sharp served in many leadership roles, including Chairman of the Board. He championed MTI's participation in the Vision 2020 process that played an important role in shaping the organization of MTI's project process. In fact, Sharp played a key role in conceiving and implementing the current structure used by MTI for project creation. As a member of the Board and a very active member of the TAC, he pushed members to think big when it came to project selection. 

ROBERT A. MCTAMANEY
2006

McTamaney's association with MTI was as Legal Counsel going back to the earliest days of MTI. He played a key role in making MTI the successful organization it is today. His experience and insight into the world of corporate governance was a fantastic asset to the Board, but most importantly he kept MTI on the straight and narrow when it came to antitrust issues that could easily cause severe damage to MTI. He was always an ambassador of MTI and was responsible for more than one new member over the years.

GREG KOBRIN
2005

Kobrin, former member with DuPont, was recognized for his exceptional leadership in helping to accomplish MTI objectives and overall education in materials engineering principles. He served as TAC Vice Chair and Chairman and also served on the BOD. He was very active in many projects and was well known for his expertise on MIC corrosion. Kobrin passed away in 2023.

GEORGE ELDER
2004

George B. Elder, Union Carbide, was a member of the group in the bar who had the vision for MTI and served MTI as on the Board of Directors. He was a major contributor to the early efforts to publicize and promote the idea of the organization. He was very active and effective in the discussions that defined the Charter, By-Laws, and organizational structure of MTI. He also served as acting Executive Director during the period of incorporation and until Mars Fontana was hired. Elder died in 2010 from Alzheimer's disease complications.

WARREN I. POLLOCK
2004

Pollock, DuPont, served as the first TAC Chairman for four years. He provided leadership and guidance that was essential to the organization at that time. It was his concept that the Technical Advisory Council should function as an advisory board that would determine the direction and scope of the technical program. He was also one of the strongest advocates for making MTI an international organization. 

BOB PUYEAR
2002

Puyear was one of the original small group that helped create MTI and determined how it would operate. This was during the two years of development prior to MTI's incorporation in 1977. He served as the first Chairman of the Board from 1977 to 1979 and remained on the Board until 1990. He later served a second 3-year stint as Chairman. During his tenure on the Board, he guided the organization to develop the flowchart that is still used today in determining the dues of member companies. His terms of service on the BOD and as the Designated Representative for Monsanto (15 years) are among the longest in MTI. 

SHELDON DEAN
2001

PAUL DILLON
2001

Dillon began his career at Union Carbide in 1948 and was one of the founders of MTI. He retired for the second time in 1991 and started his consulting practice at which he was active until his death in 2004. MTI remembers him as one of the early directors of the organization, a forum contributor and a contractor. He is well-known for authoring MTI's "Unusual Corrosion Problems" book. He was the person who put together the basis of the Chem*Cor Modules.

GALEN HODGE
2001

Hodge was recognized for 23 plus years of service to MTI as the long-time Rep for Haynes International. He was a member of TAC starting in 1978, and he joined the Board in 1980. He served primarily on the Finance & Audit Committee and the Membership Committee. He was Vice-Chairman then Board Chairman from 1993 to 1996. He left the Board in 1999. Galen retired as the Designated Rep for Haynes in 2001, but continued service as an MTI Associate Director. Hodge was very active behind the scenes in drumming up membership. 

BERT KRISHER
2001

Krisher was recognized for 25 plus years' service to MTI. He was one of the gang of five who hatched the MTI idea in Toronto in 1976. He became the Monsanto TAC Rep in 1977 and served until his retirement in 1985 from Monsanto. He then became the Technical Director of MTI and served in that position until 1988 when he became Executive Director. Krisher then did something unusual; he stepped down and became an Associate Director for the organization. If there was any dead air at TAC meetings, he would be willing to fill it with an opinion and good information. He was also active in many projects. He left this world in 2008.