OFFICERS

President: 

Michael Stuhldreher is a Market Development Manager with Axalta Coating Systems. He has 30 years of experience in the coatings industry, with 21 years of Ecoat-related business development for Axalta’s General Industrial Total Solutions unit. Mike holds a BA from Notre Dame and an MBA from Ohio State University.

Vice President:

Rex Krohn, Deere & Co., Manager of Enterprise Facilities Services in Moline, IL. He leads the Paint Materials group responsible for innovation, specifications, standard processes, and qualification of paints and painters. He also leads the Paint Process Engineering group responsible for designing and constructing new and renovated paint systems. In 2020, Rex took on additional responsibility for the Enterprise Facilities Competencies – Electrical, Mechanical, Environmental, Civil and Structural Engineering. Similar to the Paint Competency, the Facilities Group is responsible for large capital projects, equipment standards, and specifications. Rex began his career with John Deere in 2000 and has held positions at the WWHQ, Harvester Works, Waterloo Works, and at the John Deere Engine Works. Prior to joining John Deere, Rex held multiple manufacturing and materials engineering positions in the paint/coatings industry.

Rex holds a B.S. degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois, an M.S. degree in Systems Engineering from Iowa State University and an MBA from the University of Iowa.

Treasurer:

Dr. Mark Rizzone is Sales Manager- Industrial Processes with Kovalus Separation Solutions. He has 37 years of experience in electrocoat paint and general industrial applications. Prior to joining KSS in 1996, he held key technical, sales and marketing positions at ROMICON, Sanborn Technologies, CUNO Separations and Metcalf & Eddy.

Dr. Rizzone is Treasurer of the Electrocoat Association and has been past President 2009-2011. He received the 2012 Brewer Award for Market Promotion of the Technology. Mark holds BS, MS and PhD degrees in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University.

Secretary:

Todd Luciano is publisher of Products Finishing, Products Finishing Mexico and the VALVE Magazine brands, overseeing advertising sales and collaborating with each brand’s editorial teams on topics and content for multiple media platforms, including a print magazine along with all their digital channels, including both brand websites. Todd supervises each brand professional staff of editors, columnists and contributors and is responsible for the day-to-day business operation of the brand with the goal of maintaining our standards of excellent content for the surface technology sector and valve manufacturers. He also works extensively with industry trade organizations to articulate each brand’s value and vision and is responsible for developing and carrying out the brand’s long-term strategic plan.

Past President:

Suresh Patel, Director of NA Business Development, holds M.S Degree in Chemical Engineering from NJIT and has been with Chemetall for 30 years.  He has held various positions at Chemetall throughout his career starting with lab Chemist, Process Engineer, Process Equipment Mfg. Manager, Marketing Manager, Business Manager, General Industry (GI) and Director, Mexico Sales, Tech Service and Marketing. During his 30 years of service at Chemetall, he has been involved with large corporations within GI, Auto OEMs, Auto Comps and other segments related to their approvals and processes.

He has made numerous presentations to trade organizations and companies, including several Powder Coating, CCAI, Fabtech, STLE, SFM-MX, and ECOAT Conferences and has written articles for several trade magazines.

DIRECTORS

Ben Hill, Brose, has over 15 years in the finishing industry, working around captive e-coat shops in various function from a lab technician to the maintenance manager. In his current role, he oversee the NA region for Brose, supporting their internal e-coat lines as well as various sub-suppliers. In 2016, Benjamin was awarded the Best End User Paper Award for E-Coat 2016. Additionally, he was named as one of Products Finishing 40 under 40: Class of 2017. In 2021, he received his Certified Electroplater Finisher certification from NASF. He currently serves on the E-coat Board of Directors.

Darren Howard, Circle-Prosco Inc. started his career in 1998 in OEM automotive paint. The majority of his career has been in automotive, agricultural, and heavy truck OEM’s. He has held many roles in paint engineering as well as paint operations. He has executed many CapEx projects in robotics, conveyors/ovens, AMU’s, e-coat tanks, liquid delivery up to entire new build paint shops/lines.  He has held positions at General Motors and John Deere among others and finds his home now at Circle Prosco.

David George, Henkel is a Surface Treatment Technical Manager. In his 34 years with Henkel, he has held various positions within The Automotive Technical Service Group including Director, as well as Global Technical Sales Manager, and Head of Henkel’s Automotive Training Programs. Throughout his career, he has given numerous presentations to technical/trade organizations including SURCAR, Fabtech, CCAI, and The Electrocoat Association. In his current role, David provides technical expertise and support for Automotive OEMs’ conversion coating processes, focusing on innovations in sustainable metal pretreatment technology. David and his Henkel team have won two Automotive News PACE awards for the introduction of zirconium oxide (Thin Film) technology in 2009 and Henkel Flex (Two-Step) hybrid technology in 2014. He currently serves on the board of directors for The Electrocoat Association. David is also a professional photographer and a music enthusiast.

Todd Turnock, KOCH Finishing LLC, is a dynamic and results-driven Director of Sales, leveraging over 30 years of robust experience in the manufacturing and sales arenas. In his current role, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional strategic acumen in driving revenue growth and cultivating long-lasting client relationships. In his progressive career at KOCH, Todd has held pivotal roles, including Sales Manager, Manufacturing Manager and Manufacturing Supervisor Acoustical Solutions, which have equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of operational excellence and industry best practices. His prior tenure as Safety and Lean Manager at Gibbs Die Casting Corporation has further hones his expertise in lean manufacturing methodologies and safety compliance, ensuring optimal productivity and risk mitigation. 

Todd possesses an Associate of Science in CAD/CADD Drafting and Design Technology from Ivy Tech Community College. His skill set encompasses a wide array of competencies, including acoustics, safety, lean manufacturing, and sales management, underpinned by a proven track record in team building and superior customer service. As an active member of The Electrocoat Association, Powder Coating Institute (PCI), and Chemical Coaters Association (CCAI), Todd remains at the forefront of industry trends and innovations.

Mike Vandenbark, Modine Manufacturing Co., Product Manager of the Performance Technologies Coatings division. He has over 30 years of coatings experience including powder and liquid with 20+ years of electrocoating experience supporting Modine Ecoat facilities in both North America and Europe. He has held various management positions throughout his e-coat career in areas of Quality, Process, Operations and Plant Management. Mike continues to support the Ecoat Association and Modine values that are integrity committed, people centric, technology driven, results oriented and team focused.

Gary Orosz, PPG has over 28 years of experience in the electrocoat industry, all with PPG. In his current role, he supports the successful integration of PPG’s electrocoat and pretreatment products into new and existing systems by providing process and design specifications, engineering reviews, cost justification models, pilot system design and testing, and training to end users of electrocoat. He is on The Electrocoat Association’s Board of Directors and has been recognized for his contributions to the industry as a 2022 recipient of the Brewer Award for the Application of the Technology. 

Before joining PPG, he graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. He currently resides near Pittsburgh, PA with his wife and two children. 

Aaron Lorah, PPG Coating Services – Sr. Director, Engineering Solutions – is responsible for leading a team of system design engineering professionals, focused on providing comprehensive coating line solutions to customers around the world. With an emphasis on robust quality and evolving technology, the team is focused on the full cycle of the capital project from early concept design through final commissioning. Aaron has nearly 20 years of experience in capital project management, design and manufacturing with focused efforts in electrotechnical automation equipment. Prior to joining PPG, Aaron served as General Manager for a full-service capital equipment design build company. 

Aaron holds a B.S. in Engineering from the Temple University as well as an MBA in International Business from Arcadia University.

Chris Stammer, Therma-Tron-X, Inc. (TTX), is a Project Engineer. He earned his BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology from the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE). Chris joined TTX in 2013 and has had a variety of experiences that have developed and honed his understanding of equipment used in electrocoat finishing system processes. Chis joined the Electrocoating Association Board in 2020 and is eager to gain more industry experience.