Videos: 40 Under 40 Class of 2024
In these uncertain times, it is refreshing to hear from and learn about young talent in the surface finishing industry who are striving to make a difference within their organizations and the industry as a whole.
#workforce development #40-under-40
Edited by Lori Beckman
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Source: Products Finishing
In the uncertain times we are living in, it is refreshing to hear from and learn about young talent in the surface finishing industry who are striving to make a difference within their organizations and the industry as a whole.
Products Finishing’s 40 Under 40 program recognizes these young leaders annually. This year’s Class of 2024 consists of individuals, under the age of 40, who are chosen to be recognized for this award based on a variety of criteria, including leadership and industry involvement. Their eagerness and enthusiasm for the industry have shined through to their peers (managers, co-workers or industry partners) who nominated them for this award.
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Learn more about the 40 Under 40 Class of 2024 below. Each finalist was asked why they love the finishing industry to which they responded with their own unique answers. See the videos embedded throughout the article, as well as a playlist of all the videos on PF’s YouTube channel.
Our hope is that these award recipients inspire other individuals within the industry to do more than what is asked of them and to be innovative, creative and enthusiastic team members, as these award winners have already become.
Amy Artman Pieter-Jan Baert Scott Bailey Emily Benze Andres Cavezza Chassitty Davis Hope Dollarhide Chris DuBose Kenneth Formby Morgan Fraga Michelle Frumkin John Fuller Maxwell George Jameson Grout Amelia Gustafson Kevin Johnson Kyle Johnson Brennan Joy Ben Kannel Varina Keeling Chris Kolar Alex Lopez Ali Macioge Kaycee Martimucci Adam Matzner John McGuire Michael Mullaney III Sergio Olivas Sam Pugliese Tula Puja Casey Shirey Archana U. Sonejee Chris Stammer Cory Stilson Stephen Taylor Amanda Walden Matt Williams Max Winsch Matt Wood John Woska
Amy Artman
Lab Chemist, Columbia Chemical
“I love how I am consistently challenged and engaged; no two days are the same. I enjoy working with customers, training them on the process, and teaching them troubleshooting techniques.”
Pieter-Jan Baert
Manager - Finance and Controlling, Palm Commodities International
“Contributing to a diverse industry where products are prominent in daily life is a real motivator. The specific finance aspects only add to the attraction.”
Scott Bailey
Industry Manager NA - Decorative,
MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions
“Go where you’re celebrated not tolerated. I am thrilled to work for an organization that takes pride in celebrating the successes of their employees and partners with customers in driving the surface finishing industry forward!”
Emily Benze
Quality Engineer - Conversion and
Physical Coatings, Hohman Plating
“I enjoy the increase in collaboration that I am seeing up and down the supply chain. At the end of the day, everyone has the same goal: make good parts.”
Andres Cavezza
Operations Manager, Koch LLC
“I highly value how this industry helps a wide variety of industrial sectors to satisfy their product finishing requirements. It’s wonderful to see that our client’s products are being utilized in our daily lives and make our lives easier!”
Chassitty Davis
Paint Technician Level II/ Team Lead in Training, Brose
“(Brose) is very much a team effort where we support each other and work together well. We all work together as a family.”
Hope Dollarhide
Project Engineer, Automotive Component
and Industrial Paint, FANUC America
“The finishing industry was a career I was not expecting but forever grateful to be a part of! The people are hardworking, passionate and knowledgeable,
and it is an industry that reaches so many.”
Chris DuBose
Project Engineer, Gema USA
“In my time with Gema Powder Coating I have enjoyed working on new and creative projects that reflect the growth and evolution of the product finishing industry.”
Kenneth Formby
Senior Process Engineer, Snap-On Tools
“The surface finishing industry makes it possible for me to provide for my family – for that I am grateful.”
Morgan Fraga
Director of Sales and Marketing, Circle Prosco
“The finishing industry is an incredible community – always happy to lend a hand and share expertise. I am so proud of Circle-Prosco’s part in this with Paint Line University.”
Michelle Frumkin
Global Portfolio Manager - Robotics
and Automation, 3M
“The surface finishing industry is fun and moving fast. Excitement for me comes from bringing robotics and automated solutions to our vast base of global industrial customers. I especially enjoy bringing certain consumer marketing strategies to these B2B segments."
John Fuller
Production Manager, Klein Plating Works Inc.
“It has been rewarding to be able to grow within such a dynamic industry. I enjoy the constant challenge of building better processes and systems through learning and initiative.”
Maxwell George
Sr. Product Line Manager –
Surface Finishing, DuBois Chemicals Inc.
“I love this field because it affects everything. We touch so many other industries that when I describe what I do to strangers, I can find something within 10 feet of me and say, ‘That!’”
Jameson Grout
Account Manager, Hubbard-Hall
“I love how challenging and progressive our industry is, and we get to be surrounded by those products in our day to day lives.”
Amelia Gustafson
Quality Assurance Lead, Veterans Metal
“I am passionate about the use of chemicals in the metal finishing industry for its role in preserving metal properties, enabling functionality, sustainability and endless possibilities in various applications.”
Kevin Johnson
MFG Process Engineer Senior – New Glenn, Blue Origin
“I love the multidisciplinary nature of metal finishing,
which combines engineering, metallurgy, quality control
and production to develop new and innovative uses for
various materials.”
Kyle Johnson
Quality Manager, CEF, Silvex Inc.
“There’s always something interesting going on in a metal finishing shop. One day you might be plating electrodes, the next day it might be airplane parts, the day after that … who knows.”
Brennan Joy
System Integration and Capital Equipment Sales, Dove Equipment
“From my first career to my current career, I have always worked in finishing. After 14 years, I still love this industry! I am fortunate to be part of an amazing team that assists me to design and integrate the best industrial finishing systems possible!”
Ben Kannel
Manager, Semiconductor Products, Univertical
“I love supplying to a specialized portion of the surface finishing industry that has an impact on people’s lives on a global scale. Together with our semiconductor customers, we are doing our part to help drive the technology of the future.”
Varina Keeling
Marketing and Brand Manager, Vitracoat Inc.
“In the powder coating industry, I champion our pioneering role shining a light on the collective efforts of our industry, unveiling innovative
technologies for the market. Our relentless pursuit of excellence elevates standards, fostering positive industry-wide change. With a focus on customer service, performance, and sustainability, we lead by example, shaping a brighter future.”
Chris Kolar
Technical Services Representative,
Dipsol of America
“For me, the electroplating industry is the perfect combination of hard science and intuition. I still find it fascinating today.”
Alex Lopez
Process Control Coordinator,
Global Metal Finishing
“Throughout my 14 years of experience in metal finishing, I’ve enjoyed the challenges, science and process. I have a passion and motivation to continue learning and gaining knowledge in the industry and share the excitement of anodizing with others.”
Ali Macioge
Business Intelligence and IT Manager, Lake City Plating
“The finishing industry offers a diverse range of career paths such as chemistry, engineering, and data science, with opportunities to explore and implement cutting-edge technologies.”
Kaycee Martimucci
President, Nassau Chrome
“What I love about this industry is thriving on creativity, innovation and constant change. It’s where I feel alive, making a meaningful impact while constantly learning and growing.”
Adam Matzner
Director of Innovation, Lincoln Industries
“I enjoy finding ways to solve unique problems for our customers through surface finishing. Every day brings a new challenge.”
John McGuire
Quality System Manager/IT, Varland Plating
“What I love about this industry is that there are multiple ways to go about solving a problem. Designing innovative solutions to cross the goal line is extremely rewarding.”
Michael Mullaney III
Business Development Manager, Eastern Plating
“I enjoy the challenge of incorporating multiple disciplines (chemistry, engineering, finance) into a cohesive team able to pursue a wide array of opportunities to solve customers’ real-world problems in the most efficient, cost-effective manner. I love working with an enthusiastic team determined to continue to diversify and grow our business.”
Sergio Olivas
Maintenance Manager, Controlled Plating Technologies
“The goal is to grow as a leader and meet and exceed your customers’ expectations. Controlled Plating Technologies has given me the tools needed to keep up with the ever-evolving demands of the surface finishing industry and our customers.”
Sam Pugliese
Operations Manager, Anchor Bay Powder Coat
“As the operations manager at Anchor Bay Powder Coat, steering through the powder coating complexities is both challenging and immensely rewarding. From humble beginnings to two flourishing locations, it’s a journey of growth with my dedicated team.”
Tula Puja
Laboratory Manager, Magnetic Inspection Laboratory Inc.
“This industry is unique because it constantly presents new challenges and opportunities to learn each day.”
Casey Shirey
Plant Manager, Luke Engineering & Anodizing
“I love being a leader in the metal finishing industry, gaining strong leadership and people skills. I enjoy problem solving with my customers and learning everyday about hard coat and anodizing technology.”
Archana U. Sonejee
Chemical Engineer, Techevon
“With an intricate dance of chemistry and craftmanship at Techevon, we shape products that touch lives in every household. Being honored for 40 under 40 is a celebration of excellence, innovation, and customer dedication — an ode to passion and perseverance.”
Chris Stammer
Chief Engineer, Therma-Tron-X Inc.
“I am truly blessed to be apart of an industry that involves incredible people who drive to a common goal of providing quality products that we use daily.”
Cory Stilson
Sales Engineer, Pavco
“I love being able to work with a variety of customers who process a wide range of parts for almost every industry. It all keeps me on my toes with rarely a dull day.”
Stephen Taylor
Product Marketing Manager NA – Paint Support Technologies, Atotech USA
“I have always appreciated how the surface finishing industry presents an ever-changing array of challenges to such a variety of markets. Whether working with a customer to improve performance or helping to reduce their carbon footprint, there is no shortage of unique obstacles to overcome. Finding solutions for such obstacles can be very rewarding.”
Amanda Walden
President, Chemical Methods Inc.
“Chemistry fascinates me, but it’s my love for people and leadership that truly energizes my journey in this dynamic and ever-changing industry.”
Matt Williams
Lab Manager, Miller Plating
“The coatings industry touches many other industries due to its general utility. A large number of products contain plated parts, and it’s rewarding to contribute to those processes.”
Max Winsch
APQP Process Tech, Roy Metal Finishing
“I enjoy being challenged in a way that requires me to come up with practical solutions while also deepening my understanding of this intricate industry.”
Matt Wood
Director of Dynamics, TrinSoft LLC
“I love learning about each customer and making them more efficient through new technologies.”
John Woska
Shop Foreman, Goad Co.
“In our industry of unique challenges and processes, I enjoy helping our clients with new and better ways to contain harsh chemicals, provide a safer workplace and protect our environment.”
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