INDIANAPOLIS—George Rugman, chairman of the Power Transmission Belt Technical Committee for the Association for Rubber Products Manufacturers, will retire at the end of 2017.
Rugman, who is currently technical manager with HBD/Thermoid in Elgin, S.C., started his career in 1969 within quality control at the BF Goodrich tire factory near Fort Wayne, Ind. He has been connected to the PTBTC for more than three decades, going back to ARPM's predecessor, the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
"My first PTBTC meeting was in 1983," Rugman said. "Working with the rubber standards group has been a rewarding experience. From updating American standards to working with the ISO standards revisions have always been interesting. During my time, the committee has advanced the standards for the betterment of the industry and the consumer of power transmission belts."
Associates of Rugman value his expertise, knowledge and personality in his connection and contribution to the rubber industry, ARPM said in a news release.
"George understands the industry and its customers," said Jerry Lukavich, ARPM technical coordinator, ISO/TC41/SC4 secretary. "He is a living history of the industry during some of its most dramatic changes (acquisitions, sales of businesses and shrinking suppliers). This is rare in today's world. It is not often you find expertise that extends well over 30 years, let alone someone that is willing to share this experience with an industry and its customers."
Although Rugman's work with the PTBTC and the rubber industry will be concluding, he will not be slowing down too much, he said.
"My wife and I will be working around our 40-acre horse farm in Camden, S.C.," Rugman said. "There will be a little riding time daily and a lot of stable cleaning to keep me feeling young."