Candidate

Ed Ford (Incumbent)

Education

Bachelors Degree, Engineering, University of Delaware in 1996

Professional Experience

Currently National Sales Manager for Mixaco USA

Zepplin USA

Steer America

Leistritz

Ed has forty-one (41) years’ experience in the Color Masterbatches industry with twenty years on the manufacturing side, including the Engineering Manager of the Americas for Clariant Masterbatches, then twenty-one (21) years on the sales side of equipment for the twin-screw extruders, mixers, and material handling systems used in the Masterbatches and other industries with positions at MIXACO USA, Zeppelin, STEERAmerica, Leistritz, and others.

Reason for Candidacy

Ed currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Color and Appearance Division (CAD), sharing the position of Technical Program Chairman for 2017’s ANTEC and RETEC, is on the RETEC Sponsorship Committee, and on the Education Committee for the Color and Appearance Division.

Candidate

Jack Ladson (Incumbent)

Education

University of Rochester – Optical Physics
MIT – Graduate Studies in Mathematics

Professional Experience

President and CEO of COLOR Science Consultancy. For the last twenty years, I am the CEO of COLOR Science Consultancy. We deliver deep expertise across many industries, providing innovative ways of thinking and solving business challenges. Results reduce the cost of goods sold by improving manufacturing processes, thereby lowering manufacturing costs and increase product quality. We apply color, color science, spectroscopy, digital colorimetry, digital photography, CCM, standards, and creating specially designed computer products to solve problems. My interests are reducing manufacturing times and global color control.

Reason for Candidacy

I am actively involved in the operations of the CAD. I currently chair of the Color Advisory Committee and chair of the Membership Committee. I am actively involved with the Education Committee creating presentations for our local chapters. I desire to continue contributing and making a difference in the CAD.

Candidate

Bruce Mulholland (Incumbent)

Education

B.S. Chemical Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Professional Experience

Currently retired

35 years with Celanese
Global Color Technology Manager

6 years ARCO Chemical

Reason for Candidacy

I have served on the Color and Appearance Division Board of Directors for over 35 years. I have progressed through the chairs and served as chair of CAD in 2001. I have served as treasurer of the division for 19 years and as Councilor. I have run two successful CAD RETECs in 2008 and 2017, and have served as registration chair for over 10 years. At the Society level, I am currently VP Professional Development and have served as the chair of the Bylaws & Policies Committee.The SPE is a great society for knowledge and networking in our industry. I would like to continue on the Board to give back to our industry and our Division. Together we can continue the excellence that our membership has come to expect from the Color and Appearance Division.

Candidate

Brian West (Incumbent)

Education

50 Years in the Industry has been quite educational

Professional Experience

Currently with West Color Technologies. Previous Associations with Techmer PM, Hanna Color, PMS Consolidated, AMPACET, Wilson Products. Positions ranged from Production Operator to Vice President.Presented at various conferences including ANTEC, INTERTEC, TANDEC, CPMA, Fibertech, Plastics Concentrates Clemson University, University of Tennessee, Plastic Shipping Container Institute, and ACE. Recognized with the CAD Best Paper Award at RETEC 1986 for paper entitled The SAE/DCC Recommended Practice for Color Difference Measurement.

Reason for Candidacy

I wish to continue to serve the organization, and the Color and Appearance Division, that has helped me advance my career over the last 50 years.I have been a long-term Member of The Society of Plastics Engineers, serving in Governance of the International Society and as Chairman of the Color and Appearance Division twice. Member of Detroit Color Council, SAE Committee on Color, and ISCC. I was one of the founders of the Smoky Mountain Section of SPE, have served multiple terms as councilor and served on the International Committee as secretary and North American vice-chairman.

I have served as a CAD RETEC Committee Member for every RETEC since 1992 in various capacities. I was twice Conference Chair and additionally have served in Sponsorship, Program, Housing, and TableTop Exhibits since inception. I am strongly committed to our main educational goal of continuing Color and Appearance Technology education.

Candidate

Cheryl Treat (Incumbent)

Education

Current: Colors and Effects – Key Account Manager.Prior: A.Schulman Inc. – Account Manager and Automotive Approvals / Automotive Color Standard Production Manager. 1992 thru 2017.

Professional Experience

Currently National Sales Manager for Mixaco USA

Zepplin USA

Steer America

Leistritz

Ed has forty-one (41) years’ experience in the Color Masterbatches industry with twenty years on the manufacturing side, including the Engineering Manager of the Americas for Clariant Masterbatches, then twenty-one (21) years on the sales side of equipment for the twin-screw extruders, mixers, and material handling systems used in the Masterbatches and other industries with positions at MIXACO USA, Zeppelin, STEERAmerica, Leistritz, and others.

Reason for Candidacy

I have served on the SPE Color and Appearance Division BOD for several years. In addition to terms on each executive committee position, I participate on the Sponsorship Committee and Site, Theme Committee.

I would like to continue participation on the CAD board of directors to promote our efforts with organizing this section’s contribution to the plastics industry.

Candidate

Earl Balthazar (Incumbent)

Education

Attended Louisiana State University

Professional Experience

Color technologist well versed in color science, human color perception, and industrial applications of color, with thirty years of experience in color system sales and support, color matching and quality control, and color lab management in compounding and masterbatch environments. I have assisted internal and external customers in achieving the best results in producing and assessing colored products, and have extensive expertise in establishing instrument-supported color matching and quality control programs. My current role is as a Senior Applications Engineer with Datacolor helping clients in all color-using industries (plastics, paint and coatings, ink, textile, etc.) to understand the intricacies and importance of color, and assist them in implementing the necessary controls and processes to improve efficiencies.

Reason for Candidacy

Coming from a polymer coloring and compounding background, and now teaching color theory and computer-aided color matching in the industry I have always felt that I represent the “where the rubber meets the road” color user, and will continue to bring that perspective to the CAD BOD table. As a member of the SPE and the Division since 1987, I have seen – and benefited from – the great value that CAD provides to its members in terms of networking opportunities, technical content, and educational programs; and I wish to continue working on the board to help develop that value for our members.

I have been a member of the CAD Board since Y2000, and served as Division Chair in the 2010-11 operating year. My other contributions include active participation in many board and committee activities; serving as the Chairperson for the Hurricane Katrina-displaced CAD RETEC® 2005 in Charlotte, and managing our return to New Orleans as the CAD RETEC® 2014 Chair. I served 8 years on the SPE Global Governance Council representing my local section (and keeping CAD interests in mind), and several years as president in two geographic SPE sections. I am an Honored Service Member of the Society, and in 2015 was presented by the Division with the Terry Golding Outstanding Achievement Award.

Candidate

Brian D. Coleman

Education

Current: Celanese Corp., Principal Color ScientistBASF Colors & Effects, Technical Service Representative

Uniform Color Company, Technical Director, later Market Development Engineer

Ciba Specialty Chemicals / BASF, Technical Service Manager

Clariant Corporation, Quality Assurance and Color Development Technician & Supervisor

Professional Experience

Currently National Sales Manager for Mixaco USA

Zepplin USA

Steer America

Leistritz

Ed has forty-one (41) years’ experience in the Color Masterbatches industry with twenty years on the manufacturing side, including the Engineering Manager of the Americas for Clariant Masterbatches, then twenty-one (21) years on the sales side of equipment for the twin-screw extruders, mixers, and material handling systems used in the Masterbatches and other industries with positions at MIXACO USA, Zeppelin, STEERAmerica, Leistritz, and others.

Reason for Candidacy

I have spent my entire career coloring thermoplastics. I have had the privilege of working beside some of the best in our industry, including Bruce Mulholland, Sharon Ehr, Steve Goldstein and Roger Reinicker. Following their examples, I am eager to donate my time to the SPE Color & Appearance Division (CAD) Board of Directors. Over the years, I have benefited from the CAD’s materials, its RETEC conferences and its ANTEC sessions. The technical knowledge and professional contacts I’ve acquired from CAD activities have been integral to my success in our industry. I sincerely wish to volunteer my time to the CAD to ensure the resources that were afforded me remain accessible and hopefully enhanced in the years to come! I am confident this Board of Directors position will be one where my skills and passion can be employed effectively. I look forward to impacting the up and coming color and appearance professionals of all levels via this position. Thank you for your consideration.

Candidate

Kimberly Williamson (Incumbent)

Education

Berry College

Bachelor of Science in PhysicsGeorgia Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Science in Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering

Professional Experience

Color Innovation and Technology Manager

Techmer PM, LLC

Kimberly Williamson has worked in the Plastics Industry for over 10 years. Her functional experience includes: facilitation, application of Lean manufacturing principles, process optimization, sustainable process improvement, and application of color technology.Mrs. Williamson is actively involved in workforce development and benchmarking industry best practices in the East Tennessee area. She helped found a Manufacturing Roundtable where local businesses come together to discuss and improve issues that are common to all members. She also serves as the chair for an advisory board for Pellissippi State Community College where national curriculums are being developed to improve workforce development.

Reason for Candidacy

It is my belief that continued success in any industry comes from collaboration and forums where all members of a group can learn from one another. The Color and Appearance Board is a leader in making sure this happens for the polymer industry.As I progress through my career, I want to grow and learn as an individual, as well as contribute positively to the success of both my employer and the polymer community as a whole. Being a part of the Color and Appearance Board has allowed me to work toward that goal. If re-elected, I would continue to bring a strong work ethic, people skills, organizational skills and writing / speaking ability to the group to aid in accomplishing the board’s goals. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Candidate

Josh Jacobs

Education

Associates of Applies Science, Color Matching of Plastics

Terra State Community College Bachelor of Applied Science, Learning Design and Technology

Bowling Green State University Professional Master of Business Administration

Bowling Green State University

Professional Experience

Technical Sales Rep

OptiColor, Inc.Professor of Plastics and Color

Terra State Community CollegeQC Manager

PTI OperationsColor Lab Manager

OptiColor, Inc.

Reason for Candidacy

I have spent the previous 15 years within the Color and Plastics industries since graduating from the Color Matching of Plastics program at Terra State Community College.Throughout my professional career I am most proud of the success I have had in product development and mentoring other. Watching a person or company grow, knowing that I have been a part of that growth, is the most rewarding aspect of my career.

As a member of the CAD Board of directors I would look forward to spreading knowledge within the industry to help individuals find their success and companies to grow

Candidate

Mercedes Landazuri (Incumbent)

Education

BA, Sarah Lawrence College

Graduate Coursework, Voronezh State University

Professional Experience

Current: Color Lab Technology Director, Peacock Colors

Past: Design Application Lead, Techmer, PM; Operations Manager & Customer Relations, Apex Colors

Reason for Candidacy

Mercedes Landazuri has been an active volunteer on multiple boards and committees within SPE. In recent years, she has significantly improved engagement with the next generation of plastics professionals though formal & informal mentorships, SPE presentations at universities, promoting SPE CAD scholarships for undergraduate students, advocating for student & young professional sponsorships for conference attendance, bringing PlastiVan to Chicago Public Schools, social media outreach, and founding & co-hosting the PlastChicks podcast for SPE. She hopes to continue her work as Councilor for the CAD Board of Directors to provide an active, impactful & diverse presence representing our division on Council.