Two keynote presentations planned for International Silicone Conference

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio—Two high-profile industry experts signed on to give keynote presentations at the International Silicone Conference: Joe Walker, global technology director of materials and laboratory services for Freudenberg Sealing Technologies and Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies; and Rick Valeriote, chief operating officer of Poly-Nova Technologies L.P.

The two will join other industry leaders presenting on new processes, techniques and materials at the conference, April 10-11, at the Sheraton Suites in Cuyahoga Falls.

Walker is globally responsible for overseeing all advanced materials development for Freudenberg-NOK, and is also the regional NAFTA leader for Chemical Regulatory Compliance.

Prior to joining Freudenberg, Walker served as silicone rubber business team leader for Wacker Silicones Corp. He was responsible for research, development, and sales and marketing. Previously, he was an engineering fellow for Alliant Techsystems (formally Honeywell Defense and Marine Systems), where he focused on material design, processing and application for various U.S. Department of Defense programs.

Valeriote, who was the first leader of a Canadian firm to be named Rubber & Plastics News' Executive of the Year, was the CEO at Silcofab, and a rubber industry consultant for three years. He partnered with Tom Hahn, owner of Hahn Elastomers, and Tom Wood, owner of the Epsco Inc. sales agency, to start Poly-Nova. He oversaw the sale of Poly-Nova to the Starlim/Sterner Group of Austria in 2011.

The agenda includes programs on LSRs, HCRs, molds, updates on regulations and an industry forecast.

Early bird registration, saving $100 on the registration price, ends March 9.

Conference attendees receive entry into all presentations, complimentary lunch, access to the exhibits, admittance to the networking reception, access to all available technical papers or presentations, and a 1-year subscription to Rubber & Plastics News.

Additional information, as well as registration, is available at rubbernews.com/2018silicone.