Houston, Texas USA – 15 December, 2003 – The International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers, Inc’s (IISRP) Americas Section announces the Committee Chairmen for the upcoming year. Newly appointed are: Richard (Rick) Karpeles of Crompton Corporation, who will chair the Technical Operating Committee and Mark Rymer of Firestone Polymers, who will chair the Statistical Committee. Wayne Henderson of Bayer Polymers will continue to chair the Environmental Health Committee.
Dr. Karpeles, who has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from USC, has more than 18 years experience in the elastomer industry. He is currently the Royalene R & D Director at Crompton and has a number of patents and publications to his credit.
Mr. Mark Rymer holds a BS/BA in Accounting and Business Administration from Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania. He has held a number of positions with Firestone commencing with Firestone retail tire stores in 1985 and with Firestone Polymers since 1987. He is now the Manager of Intercompany Operations for global sales of elastomers to Bridgestone/Firestone tire plants.
Dr. Wayne Henderson holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburg. His career began at Bayer’s Polyurethane Analytical Laboratory. He later transferred to the Environmental Testing Services group where he developed methods for regulatory compliance. Since 1997 he has been on the Product Safety & Regulatory Affairs Department at Bayer Polymer, where he is primarily responsible for product stewardship and hazard communication. He also represents Bayer on various work groups at the American Chemistry Council.
The IISRP is an international not-for-profit association with 45 corporate members domiciled in 21 countries who produce 95 percent of the world’s supply of synthetic rubber. Incorporated in 1960 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, the Institute supports regional offices in London and Tokyo.
