MTI Elects New BOD Chair
MTI's Board of Directors has elected Paul Whitcraft as its new Chair. Whitcraft, Director of Technology at MTI member company Rolled Alloys, has been a Board Member since 2010. He follows former Chair Ed Naylor of AkzoNobel, who completed his term in October.
"Paul is a naturally motivated leader who brings a vast repertoire of leadership experiences to MTI," said Naylor. "He is respected throughout the processing industries – from chemicals, petrochemicals and pharmaceutical through to mining, aerospace and nuclear. As a devotee of the MTI spirit and culture, he is perfectly qualified to lead the organization into the future, and I have no doubt he will do that with grace, dignity and success."
Whitcraft earned a BS in Metallurgical Engineering from Drexel University. He joined Rolled Alloys in 1991 after an 18-year career with Carpenter Technology Corporation. A longstanding member of ASTM International, Whitcraft served on that organization's Board of Directors from 2003 - 2011 and was its Chairman in 2009. He continues to serve as the Chairman of Sub-Committee B02.07 on Nickel and Cobalt Alloys. In addition, Whitcraft is a member of the International Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE), ASM International, SAE International, and the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI).
Now he will focus his considerable talent and experience on MTI, serving as Chair through October 2016. "I believe that my experience in a related industry, and my perspective as a supplier member, will be of some benefit to the MTI community," noted Whitcraft. "In particular, I think that my recent participation on the Board of ASTM International will offer some useful perspective as the MTI Board prepares for the future. I am truly honored to be chosen as a leader of this organization."
Recognizing Corrosion
MTI’s Recognizing Corrosion computer based training (CBT) module, featured in CEP magazine's October 2013 "Material Matters" column, is teaching processing plant employees to recognize important clues that might uncover potential problems. Routine visual inspection and reporting of findings by alert operators, maintenance personnel, technicians, and engineers are keys to maintaining the health of the process equipment and maintaining safe operations. The module covers warning signs, inspection tips, and much more. For more information or to order the CBT, visit the bookstore and look under Operations, Maintenance and Inspection.
MTI Loses a Member of its Community
Longtime MTI friend and member company representative John Joseph Hoffman, 47, passed away October 29, 2013 after a courageous battle with melanoma cancer.
Colleagues at MTI praised him for his incredible work ethic and attention to detail. In addition to serving as Air Products’ Designated Representative, Hoffman was instrumental in developing two volumes of MTI’s Atlas of Microstructures, one published in 2008 and a second volume that will be published in 2014, as well as serving on other project teams.
“John was never at rest on anything until he had it done and he had it right,” noted MTI Associate Director Emory Ford. “MTI will miss John's drive to get projects done and done well.”
Hoffman earned his Bachelors of Science degree in material engineering from Wilkes College and his Master’s of Chemical Engineering degree from Drexel University. He worked as a Senior Materials Engineering Associate for Air Products in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania. During his career at Air Products, Hoffman had a positive effect on his colleagues at home and around the world.
“While at Air Products, I had the pleasure of working with the always congenial John Hoffman for 15 years,” remembered Bill Watkins, now an MTI Associate Director. “During my career, I’ve worked with many engineers. John was by far the most hard working and conscientious of them all.” He will be missed by both the materials engineering community and his colleagues at MTI.
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