2004 election-candidates for director

To enable members to make informed selections for the upcoming AIChE election, the candidates for director have provided overviews of their experience, as well as their plans for future programs and directions for the Institute. These messages are in each candidate's own words. Following publication in Extra, the statements will be posted on AIChE's Web site at http://www.aiche.org/candidates. Ballots will be mailed on August 29th. Ballots must be received by October 3rd. The Teller's Committee will meet to verify the results of the election on October 9th. Election results will be announced in November at AIChE's Annual Meeting in San Francisco, CA, and in the December issue of AIChExtra.

AIChE's most urgent problem is its financial viability, Realistic options need to be objectively weighed to determine the best course for its members, whether this results in a more modest restructured independent organization or a merger with another professional organization. New and better mechanisms are needed for improving communication with the member-ship to enable AIChE to make the most significant impact with its present limited resources. Other short-term issues include, but are not limited to, the decline in AIChE membership, the changing career paths of chemical engineers, and better services to help members deal with the weak economy.

The emerging role of biochemical engineering needs to be highlighted and better integrated into AIChE programming and activities. Technology is continuously changing, and AIChE should be a leader, looking ahead to ensure the profession's long-term viability. Unique opportunities also exist for chemical engineers to make significant contributions in developing technologies, for example, for homeland security. Greater national visibility for these activities could also help foster legislation favorable to AIChE members.

Maria's AIChE service has included various leadership positions in the: (a) National Capital Section, including Chair, Vice Chair, head of professional development and, presently, as one of three elected section Directors; (b) Computing and Systems Technology Division, as Secretary/Treasurer and Director; (c) Catalysis and Reaction Engineering Division as Chair, Vice Chair, Director, Programming Chair, Newsletter Editor, and, presently, Past Chair; and (d) involvement in a number of activities aimed at promoting women and minorities in engineering, including the original Genders Committee that explored the needs of women in chemical engineering, and the present Women's Initiatives Committee. She is the Meeting Program Vice Chair for the upcoming Annual Meeting in San Francisco this November, and is a Fellow of the Institute.

Maria is the program director of the Process and Reaction Engineering program at the National Science Foundation. Her responsibilities involve administration of research grants in the areas of reaction engineering, process control, process design and reactive polymer processing. Previous positions at NSF have included program administration of the Biochemical Engineering program. Maria began her career as a process design engineer with Scientific Design Company in New York City, was later a faculty member in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Maryland, and a Senior Scientist with the Environmental Protection Agency, before moving to NSF. She received B.S. and M.S. degrees from MIT, and M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Princeton University, all in chemical engineering.

Antonio is Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez Campus (UPRM), where he has been since 1987. He previously taught at the University of Santiago, Chile, and at Simon Bolivar University, Venezuela. He also visited Cornell University in various capacities from 1995-2000, including a sabbatical leave in 1996-97, Antonio received his Ph.D. from University of California, Davis (1983), M.S. from Central University of Venezuela (1977), and B.S. from the University of Santiago, Chile (1975). He has been invited to give seminars at universities in the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. He has supervised numerous undergraduates in research, more than 15 M.S. students, and one student in the newly created doctoral program at UPRM.

Between February 2001 and April 2003, Antonio was Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and Director of Graduate Studies at UPRM. He was actively involved in the Council of Graduate Schools, and was appointed to its Advisory Committee on Minorities in Graduate Education. He has been active in the Puerto Rico AGEP (Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate), and worked to establish a network between UPRM and more than half of the 25 alliances established nationwide. Antonio also served as Associate Director of Chemical Engineering at UPRM from 1991 to 1995.

Antonio has devoted considerable service time to professional societies. He has been a member of AIChE since 1984, and was a founding member of the Institute's Local Section 117 in Puerto Rico. He has informally participated in AIChE's Minority Affairs Committee, and was appointed to the Societal Impact Operating Council in 2001. Previously, he served three terms (1995-2000) on the Board of the Interamerican Confederation of Chemical Engineering (ICChE), holding the offices of Vice President, President, and Past President. In 2000, ICChE gave him the prestigious Victor Marquez Award for service to the chemical engineering community on the Continent, and last year, he was elected as its Secretary General. He is committed to improving ties among ICChE's 21 member societies, including AIChE, and speaks the confederation's four official languages: English, French, Portuguese, and Spanish. He has represented ICChE in 13 local chemical engineering events in 10 different countries. Antonio has also been a member of ACS, Sigma Xi, ASEE, and the Association of Engineers and Surveyors of Puerto Rico.

Antonio's experience and background may help AIChE on several fronts: diversity, inclusiveness, international relations, graduate education, and membership. In his vision, the Institute should make every possible effort to improve the member benefit-to-cost ratio. This may be done by increasing the membership, thus reducing the per-member costs. AIChE should commit itself to diversity and inclusiveness, which may play a key role in reaching out for new members.

What does it mean to be a chemical engineer in the 21st century?

Traditionally at the forefront of professional development activities for chemical engineers, AIChE must become relevant to those working in the emerging areas of nanotechnology, electronic materials, and biomolecular processing. However, we need to seek the correct balance to serve members still in traditional chemical engineering areas. As we look towards the future, AIChE must incorporate a revised definition of the practice of chemical engineering into all its programs. Four activities are pivotal to the future of the Institute:

* Increasing the membership by improving the perceived relevance of AIChE to practicing chemical engineers.

* Developing innovative Institute programs through creative technical partnerships.

* Securing the financial status of AIChE.

* Insuring a future pipeline of talented chemical engineers through innovative programs that draw from a diverse population base.

The increasingly interdisciplinary nature of technology and the current AIChE fiscal situation requires new partnerships with the industry, government, academia and technical organizations (e.g., American Chemical Society) to create training and development programs for our members. The newly formed Young Professionals Advisory Board presents an excellent opportunity to address critical issues for our newest members. As a member of the Chemical Technology Operating Council (CTOC), I have begun to work with this board to understand how to better serve the needs of those who will be the future of AIChE. I believe that the experiences of the new professionals, coupled with the wisdom of the seasoned veteran engineers, will form an important alliance to enable members to thrive in the current industrial environment.

Christine received her B.S. in chemical engineering from Brown University (1984); and M.S. (1986) and Ph.D. (1989) degrees from Georgia Institute of Technology. She has worked at both GE's Corporate R&D Center and Procter & Gamble. She is currently an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering at North Carolina State University, Her research in surface and interfacial science focuses on environmentally benign processes. Christine has served AIChE in the past 14 years as: CTOC-Member, liaison to the AIChE Nanotechnology Initiative (2003-2006); Chair (2002-2003), First Vice Chair (2000-2002), and Second Vice Chair (1999-2000) of the Minority Affairs Committee (MAC); Environmental Division Process Development Section Area Coordinator (1990-1994); Session Chair in AIChE Programming Area IC, "Interfacial Phenomena," and the Environmental Division, Her awards include: AIChE MAC Distinguished Service Award (2001), Georgia Tech's Council of Outstanding Young Engineering Alumni (1996), YWCA Academy of Women Award in Science and Technology (2000), and the GEM Distinguished Alumni Academic Award (2003).

The financial state of the Institute is driving a restructuring of AIChE. We are not electing Directors for "business as usual" decisions-the actions taken by the Board of Directors will determine the future of our Institute, Dale believes that three critical characteristics are required of Directors during this time: to listen to you as members, to obtain the information required to make informed decisions, and to be stewards for the needs and interests of chemical engineers.

The decisions that will be made must consider different interests, and there will be difficult choices. Important concerns and questions that our Board of Directors must address include:

* Inclusion: How do we effectively serve chemical engineers who are applying their skills in many diverse areas? How do we structure the Institute to respond to these needs?

* Finances: The need for fiscal stewardship of our Institute's resources has never been greater. What activities are no longer cost effective? What is our approach to partnering with others?

* Employment: These are difficult times for new and recent graduates looking for jobs. How does the Institute best serve new, as well as seasoned, chemical engineers as they seek employment?

* Membership: What strategies should we use to capture and retain members from all areas of the practice of chemical engineering?

* Relationship with other Professional Organizations: How do we effectively work together to meet mutual needs and interests?

An AIChE Fellow, Dale has been active in the Institute for more than 30 years. His service reflects a breadth of professional interests, and an understanding of different areas within the Institute, Recent service has included:

* Chair, National Program Committee Executive Board: 1994

* Charter Member, creation team for the Particle Technology Forum: 1991-92

* Director, Fuels and Petrochemicals Division: 1999-2001

* Chair, Government Relations Committee: 2000-2002

* National Program Meeting Chair: 1991

Recognition of Dale's technical and professional service is illustrated by the Pittsburgh Local Section awarding him the McAfee Award in recognition of his contributions to the profession and the community.

Dale's career has primarily been in industry, and includes technical and financial responsibility for research and development, business planning, and a commercial business. He is currently employed as a senior advisory engineer for Science Applications International, Inc. (SAIC).

Dale's degrees in chemical engineering were earned at Oklahoma State University (B.Sc.) and Carnegie-Mellon University (Ph.D.).

Background

My active involvement in AIChE began in 1992, when I chaired my first session at an AIChE meeting. I served as chair of the Pilot Plant programming area (12a) from 1994 to 1996. With an enthusiastic and committed team, the scope of program-ming was extended to cover other areas, and I was elected the founding Chair (1997-1999) of the Process Development Group (Group 12), now the Process Development Division. Presently, I am the First Vice Chair of the Executive Board of the National Program Committee.

I joined the Xerox Research Centre of Canada in 1981, where I have held several positions, including that of manager of process engineering (1986-1999). I was appointed to my current position of senior engineering fellow in the fall of 2001. During my years at Xerox I have worked mostly in the development, scale-up, pilot planting, and technology transfer to manufacturing of toner polymers and additives, as well as photoactive organic materials. I have authored or coauthored more than 30 patents at Xerox, covering many materials, which have found applications in Xerox printers and copiers. In 1997, I received the highest award the company grants to an individual, the Xerox President's Award.

I received my Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the Polytechnic Institute in Timisoara, Romania. I started my career in the chemical industry at the Petrochemical Plant Solventul, in Timisoara as a research and development engineer. After a short stint at Hydrophilics in Haifa, Israel, I spent several years at Uniroyal Chemical, in Elmira, Ontario, Canada, as process development engineer.

Statement

If elected as a Director of the Board of AIChE, I would like to address the following:

* Contribute to the positive resolution of the current financial difficulties of the Institute.

* Make the activities of the Institute more relevant for industry members through refocused conferences and targeted activities.

* Promote activities for students and recent graduates in order to bring a strong youth component to the Institute.

* Take concrete actions to promote stronger interactions between academia and industry.

* Engage major corporations and prestigious universities in proactive interactions with AIChE.

* Promote collaboration with, other chemical engineering societies (e.g., in the Americas and Europe).

What does it mean to be a member of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers today? We all must ask this question ourselves as members. Times are tough for the Institute. However, not having an Institute for such a distinguished profession is unthinkable. So what do we do? The biggest issue in my mind is retention of members. We need to work together as a team to tackle the hard problems, maybe starting with one member (or previous member) at a time to:

* Determine the "value-added" of the Institute;

* Transition student members to "life-long" members;

* Combine volunteer resources of the local sections and National to work more effectively together as opposed to sometimes acting as "separate AIChE societies";

* Work with industry to encourage supporting employees who are Institute volunteers, and encourage membership of all employees; and

* Continue to improve meetings by including sessions of interest for both industrial and academic members.

These are the goals I will strive to achieve. I realize they are not simple ones. As for my background, I first became involved in AIChE as a student at the University of Pennsylvania, where I was a student officer and organized a Regional Student Conference. As a graduate student at the University of Colorado, I was an officer for two years in the Rocky Mountain Local Section. As a faculty member at the University of Arizona, my AIChE involvement is at both the local and national levels. Locally, I often serve as the Student Chapter Advisor, and have recently come full circle by helping the students with a Regional Conference. Nationally, I was a member of the Student Chapters Committee Executive Board for four years, and a Director of the Food, Pharmaceutical and Bioengineering Division for three years. Currently, I continue to be a member of the Student Chapters Committee, chair a variety of sessions at meetings, and serve on the Career and Education Operating Council.

I do feel that, together, we can reinvigorate our society. We are a diverse set of individuals with a common devotion to using chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics to improve the society in which we live. We will draw on the strength of all of our members as we move forward together.

I, Gary K. Patterson, am professor emeritus of chemical engineering at the University of Missouri-Rolla (UMR). AIChE has been an invaluable influence and resource during my professional career since 1960, when I first joined the local section in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. My company at the time actively supported my participation.

I believe that this grassroots aspect of AIChE needs to be strengthened in this time of declining membership and financial difficulty. Most sections serve only a small fraction of the chemical engineers in their area. We must actively solicit companies to encourage Local Section AIChE membership, and encourage sections to host programs that inspire members to participate.

Both section and National meeting programs and publications should be organized to carefully balance the needs of the many who do traditional chemical engineering and management work, with the needs of those pushing the boundaries of new technologies.

Besides the grassroots efforts outlined above, some very difficult management decisions must be made to solve AlChE's financial problems. My service on the Board will be to help revitalize the Institute.

My career started out industrial, then turned academic. I have worked for three companies and three government laboratories (one in Germany) gaining diverse experience. After earning an M.S.E. at the University of Michigan, followed by a doctorate in chemical engineering at the UMR in 1966, I began teaching and research at that university. From 1984 to 1990, I served as department head of the Chemical Engineering Department of the University of Arizona. I then returned to the UMR as Associate Dean of Engineering for six years. I retired as Professor of Chemical Engineering in 2000.

My service in AIChE has gradually escalated over the years, I have been active in programming (15 sessions chaired) and committee membership and leadership. I have been a member of the Research Committee (Chair, Industry-Academic Interaction Subcommittee); National Program Committee Area 1b (Vice Chair and Chair), and Area 3a (now the North American Mixing Forum); ASEE Chemical Engineering Division (Director, Chair); Education and Accreditation Committee (current Chair); and the 21st Century Campaign Steering Committee. I have been a Fellow since 1994. I have been an ABET program evaluator since 1988, a commissioner on the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission, and an international evaluator. I have been active in the Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and St. Louis, Missouri, Local Sections of AIChE.

Professionally, I have served as Associate Editor of the Experiments in Fluids Journal, and I have served on the boards of directors for two not-for-profit corporations.

While serving the needs of chemical engineers working in traditional industries is a given, AIChE also needs to strengthen its relevance to those employed in industries outside the chemical and petrochemical arena. By some accounts, 50% of new chemical engineering graduates find jobs in diverse industries; last year 28% went to work in the electronics industry. This is happening as a result of consolidations and downsizing of petrochemical companies, as well as the appreciation and need for the skills and abilities of chemical engineers by diverse companies. To maintain its position of leadership, AIChE must prove valuable to all chemical engineers, regardless of industry or job function.

We have an opportunity to re-engage colleagues who have moved on because they do not appreciate how AIChE can benefit their careers. AIChE can serve this silent but significant pool of engineers by providing forums for them to expand their technical skills, and opportunities to develop strong personal contacts. AIChE can organize, alone or in collaboration with other organizations, groups focused on the needs of new industries. AIChE can also work with universities to increase emphasis on non-traditional industries. This would lead to stronger ties between AIChE and leading semiconductor and biotech companies, for example. But first, AIChE has to clearly articulate how it can benefit engineers (and their employers) in diverse industries, while it continues to build on the core areas that help define the essence of the chemical engineering profession.

Nicholas Triantafillou received a B.S. from the University of Illinois (U-C), a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Delaware, and has completed the Wharton Management Program. He began his professional career in 1992 as a process development engineer with ARCO Chemical. In 1995, he joined ARCO's technical economics team and the planning organization where he supported the development of operating and strategic plans. After joining Lyondell in 1998, Nicholas became involved in a broad range of M&A activities. He joined Intel's new business incubator group in 2000, where he led the finance activities for multiple startup businesses. He was actively involved in the development and review of a broad range of business plans in areas including optical, wireless, enterprise software, and network devices. He presently works in the finance group, supporting Intel's Communication Group. Nicholas will contribute to AIChE by bringing forward a new perspective that will help the Institute reach a broader population of chemical engineers.