Elected are:
- Luis Fanor Vega, Ph.D.- Luis Fanor Vega is division manager for the engineered
finishes division at the Alcoa Technical Center, where he leads development
of coatings, surface treatments, laminates, films and surface technologies
to mitigate corrosion and enhance durability, appearance and functionality
of products. He is responsible for integration of product and process technologies
across Alcoa business units to maintain and grow the competency and identify
opportunities of strategic importance to the corporation. Fanor Vega will
serve the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center board for a
term of one year as chairman.
- Robert J. Kumpf, Ph.D. - Robert Kumpf is vice president of future business
at Bayer MaterialScience LLC. A material scientist with extensive experience
in industrial research and development, Kumpf's responsibilities include evaluation
of new technologies and business opportunities, product development and commercialization.
He leads the 24-member future business group at Bayer MaterialScience, which
focuses on innovation-driven polymer products, new complex technologies and
next-generation applications. Kumpf will serve the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials
Commercialization Center board for a term of one year as past chairman.
- Daniel E. Rardon, Ph.D. - Daniel Rardon currently is a senior scientist
and manager of nanotechnology initiatives at PPG Industries. His responsibilities
include coordinating PPG's corporate nanotechnology programs and defining
and setting strategic direction related to this emerging area. His focus also
includes looking for collaborative R&D programs and partners that fit
with PPG's strategic direction. Rardon will serve the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials
Commercialization Center board for a term of one year as vice chairman.
- Patrick B. Stewart - Patrick B. Stewart currently is chief executive officer
of Sewickley-based Pepperweed Consulting, having previously served as the
firm's executive chairman of the board. Stewart also served as managing director
and president of the Pittsburgh-based non-profit venture capital and consulting
firm, Idea Foundry, which he founded in 2002. With more than 25 years of Fortune
500 experience in executive management, business development, operations,
information technology, business process reengineering and product marketing,
Stewart has led several corporate strategic planning initiatives over his
career that resulted in the acquisition and creation of several companies.
Stewart was elected to the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center
board for a term of three years, ending December 31, 2011, and he also will
serve as the board's secretary and treasurer for one year.
- Carlo G. Pantano, Ph.D. - Carlo G. Pantano, Ph.D. is a distinguished professor
of materials science and engineering, and he is director of the Materials
Research Institute at The Pennsylvania State University. He is a fellow of
both the American Ceramic Society (ACerS), and he is a former chair of the
ACerS glass and optical materials division. Pantano also is a former U.S.
Council representative for the International Commission on Glass and he was
awarded the 2005 George W. Morey award for outstanding technical contributions
in the field of glass science and technology. Pantano was elected to the Pennsylvania
NanoMaterials Commercialization Center board for a term of one year, ending
December 31, 2009.
Three other directors will continue to serve their existing terms on the board.
They are Andrew Hannah, Audrey Russo and Christopher Roberts.
- Andrew W. Hannah - Andrew W. Hannah is the president and chief executive
officer of Plextronics, Inc., an international printed electronics company
focused on the manufacture of solar cells, high-efficiency lighting and circuitry
from ink-based technology. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, the company is pioneering
low-cost, high-volume printing of organic solar cell and organic light emitting
diode technology for lighting applications.
- Audrey Russo - Audrey Russo is the president and chief executive officer
of the Pittsburgh Technology Council. She previously had served as vice president
of operations and chief financial officer for MAYA Design, as well as in several
capacities at Alcoa, where as a senior-level human resources and information
technology strategist, she led successful efforts to deploy and optimize global
IT systems and improve global access to information.
- Christopher Roberts - Christopher C.D. Roberts, Sr. is a research project
engineer at the United States Steel Corporation Research and Technology Center
in Munhall, PA, where he works within the finishing processes and coatings
section of the product technology division, which deals primarily with cold
rolled, electroplated and galvanized steel.
"We are extremely gratified to have these individuals serve on our board,"
said Alan Brown, Ph.D., executive director of the center. "Each represents
the significant commitment of their respective company or organization to this
initiative which is unprecedented in other regions throughout the U.S. Through
their involvement, we are certain to advance our mission."
The mission of the Pennsylvania NanoMaterials Commercialization Center is
to promote and support the commercialization of nanomaterials research for new
and enhanced products critical to the U.S. economy and manufacturing base. The
center builds upon Pennsylvania's excellence in advanced materials research,
development and manufacturing, and it acts as a new model for a public-private
partnership among government, universities, entrepreneurs, small and large companies
to accelerate the transition from nanomaterials invention and innovation to
new products and new companies.