MTI is pleased to announce Heather Allain will assume the role of Executive Director (ED) as Paul Whitcraft steps down after more than five years. With more than 25 years in the materials engineering field, 13 as an Associate Director (AD) for MTI, Allain’s background and experience have prepared her to lead MTI into the future.
Allain graduated from Rice University (Houston) with a degree in Materials Science. Following graduation, she began working for DuPont where she primarily worked to support plants on the Gulf Coast and at Chambers Works in New Jersey – a 14-year stint. Allain’s AD role at MTI began in October 2008 just prior to the AmeriTAC meeting in Louisville.
During her tenure as an AD, she has supported many outstanding MTI projects, including several of the Atlas of Microstructure projects, including High Temperature Alloy Atlas of Microstructures, the Atlas of Microstructures for Alloy C-276 and Similar Casting Alloys, and the Duplex Stainless Steel Atlas of Microstructures. Allain notes the Duplex Atlas was the biggest challenge where she, Hira Ahluwalia and Jim Fritz had to complete the organization and all text and descriptions of the microstructures.
Allain says she has particularly enjoyed tapping into MTI’s wide network of technical experts. She worked with Becht as the contractor and coordinated additional experts for review and input on specialized chapters to create the Guidance for Failure Mechanisms book published in 2020. She was also instrumental in obtaining MTI’s first patent for the use of RFID Sensors to monitor FRP and Dual Laminate equipment and piping. Together with Robert Sinko (former member now MTI Fellow), she carried out the vision for MTI to license this technology, which is now being implemented in the industry.
In addition, Allain has been the staff manager for both the Ceramics and Polymers PDCs (Project Development Committees), and has supported the projects, trainings, roundtables and seminars that these PDCs have produced. She has also supported EuroTAC since 2013, including identifying leaders within EuroTAC, using training and influence to develop the organization, establishing the MTI culture and facilitating successful project work within the MTI model.
Please help us congratulate and support Heather as she steps into this role!