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Volume 15 Issue 3 H. Petterson and T. Holden, Co-Editors March 2008
NEWSLETTER OF THE EAST TENNESSEE SECTION OF AIChE
Local section website Local section mailing address
http://www.tnengineering.net/AICHE/ PO Box 3488 Kingsport, TN 37664-3488
April AIChE Meeting
What: April AIChe East Tennessee Local Section Program
Topic: “Celebrating 100 Years of AIChe”
Who: Tim Nolen, 2008 Chair, East Tennessee Local Section
When: April 15, 2008, 11:30 am. (Lunch and Cake), noon program
Where: Eastman Research Lecture Room, B-150C, Kingsport
Abstract
On the occasion of the AIChE centennial year, we will celebrate not only with chocolate
cake, but more importantly by looking at the contentious early beginnings, the
development, growth, and challenges faced by our organization, as well as look to the
future.
The very first meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers was attended by
nineteen leaders in the developing field of chemical engineering on June 22, 1908. From
that controversial hot and humid day in Philadelphia, the AIChE became the leading
voice in the world for the profession of chemical engineering. AIChE helped define the
term "chemical engineering" and was a pioneer in the accreditation of academic chemical
engineering departments. A quantitative view of history shows how our industry and
organization grew, even through the depression years, and then exponentially after World
War II. AIChE created publications, sponsored meetings, founded student chapters, local
sections, divisions, and research institutes. From 1961 to 1997, AIChE, along with the
other "Founder Societies," owned and occupied a skyscraper in New York City across the
street from the United Nations. The East Tennessee Local Section, now 65 years old, has
provided two national AIChE presidents and was the 14th out of 103 current local sections
to be founded. Since the 1970s, however, the maturing of the chemical industry in the
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U.S. has presented new challenges and opportunities. AIChE faced a financial crisis in
recent years, but is emerging successfully to adapt to our changing world. There are
many reasons to expect our profession, led by AIChE, to continue to be of key
importance in the progress of our nation for the next 100 years.
Biographical Sketch of Tim Nolen
Tim is the 2008 Chair of the East Tennessee Section of AIChE. Tim was first a student
member of AIChE in 1983, before graduating with a B.S. in chemical engineering from
Auburn University in 1984, and with a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from N.C. State in
1989. He is licensed as a Professional Engineer in Tennessee. He has worked at
Eastman since 1989, first in Process Systems Engineering, then in the Chemical Process
Engineering Research Lab, where he is currently Group Leader. His wife, Sharon, is a
licensed chemical engineer as well, and he has two children, Sam and Abby.
____________________________________________________________________________________
Message from the Chair, Tim Nolen
In April, we'll celebrate this Centennial year for AIChE with chocolate
cake and a look at history. This year is also the 65th year for our East
Tennessee Local Section. To mark the occasion, I wanted to develop a
program looking at AIChE's history. I was motivated to give the
program myself in view of my own "mid-life" interest in history and
my long term involvement in our section.
It's a good time to consider our progress since the importance of
chemical engineering as a discipline has had a resurgence in the past
few years in the United States. Marked increases in starting salaries and growth in
capital spending by chemical and energy companies are quantitative markers of this
resurgence. There has also been an influx of new people to the chemical engineering
community in East Tennessee as well, especially at Nuclear Fuels Services and Eastman
Chemical. The national AIChE has seen a significant upturn in membership after the
declines from the last business peak.
In looking at the history of AIChE, one begins to understand the tremendous growth in
our profession and our economy in only 100 years. The size, complexity, and diversity of
our organization and activities grew in tandem with our industries, university
departments, and other institutions. The work of the AIChE was accomplished largely
through the donated time, effort, and money of its members. Standing on 100 years of
effort, one feels grateful for all those who have worked and given toward building our
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professional society. It also makes one feel a duty to work for the future as those before
us did.
So, please join me on April 15th to celebrate!
--Tim
2008 East Tennessee Section Chair
____________________________________________________________________________________
“Connect and Develop” –February and March Programs
As it turns out, "Connect and Develop" is a good theme for our programs so far in 2008.
"Connect and Develop" (instead of "research and develop") is a term being used by
Proctor and Gamble in relation to innovation. P&G's point is to reach beyond the internal
focus of its research organization and so to draw on the innovation of others outside of
P&G by connecting with them. The same can be true for individual professionals like
those in our own local section. Relationships with others through AIChE can bring new
ideas, guidance, and support beyond that possible from your immediate co-workers to
help develop your career.
Here's how our AIChE East Tennessee Section is helping you "Connect and Develop"
this year so far:
In February, over 30 people enjoyed an AIChE social outing to the Depot Street
Brewery in Jonesborough followed by dinner at the Stir-Fry in Johnson City.
We're grateful to Rhonda Smith, from Domtar, who arranged this event for our
section. This event was oversubscribed, so it may be repeated!
On March 8th, the East Tennessee Local Section joined with others to stage the
ASME Egg Drop event in Kingsport, at the Fort Henry Mall. Our AIChE section
contributed financial support and one-fourth of the volunteers working at the event.
Again this year, it was a great success with 151 participants who created devices
(intended to) safely and accurately land an egg on a target dropped from about 20
feet. Full details, winners, and photographs are available at www.asme-
eggdrop.org. Joining with ASME and the other organizations gave us a chance to
promote engineering in the community and get to know others.
On March 14th, we are joining with the Northeast Tennessee Section of the
American Chemical Society for a joint evening dinner program. Our annual joint
meeting with NETSACS is an excellent time to connect with our chemistry friends
and develop new perspectives.
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Our April 15th lunch program will certainly allow for connecting as we have a time
for lunch and cake prior to the presentation. I hope the presentation will develop
your appreciation for AIChE.
Speaking of developing, on May 1, we'll be certifying PDH credits for the
continuing education available at the eChemExpo (www.echemexpo.com) at
Meadowview in Kingsport and staffing a booth about our local section. If you'd
like to participate by having an hour at the booth, please contact me. It'll be fun
and a way to contribute to our section by taking an hour out of your visit to the
eChemExpo.
--Tim Nolen
2008 East Tennessee Section Chair
____________________________________________________________________________________
Upcoming Events
May, 2008
What: eChemExpo
When: Thursday, May 1st, 2008, 8:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Where: Meadowview Convention Center in Kingsport, TN
RSVP: Visit http://www.echemexpo.com/ for registration information.
The next eChemExpo Solutions Marketplace will be held Thursday, May 1st, 2008 at
Meadowview Convention Center in Kingsport Tennessee. This one-day exposition and
Technology Innovations Conference will feature over eighty solution providers
demonstrating hundreds of products and services to save you time, increase profitability,
and streamline plant operations. This year's theme is Innovative Technology as the
Strategic Enabler of Future Growth. Exhibitors are challenged to demonstrate
breakthrough developments which improve:
Energy efficiency
Capital intensity
Capability enhancement
"Greener" process
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Visit http://www.echemexpo.com/ for registration information and a list of the vendors
and exhibits. For further information contact (626)396-9470 or (626) 255-6462 or email:
kingsport@eChemExpo.com
____________________________________________________________________________________
Keep Up With the Local Section Online
Up to date information about East Tennessee Section of the American Institute of
Chemical Engineers can be found on our website (www.tnengineering.net/AICHE). The
website includes the Local Section Bylaws, List of Officers from 1945 to present, and an
archive of Pipeline Newsletters - to mention only a few aspects of the information
covered. Photos from past events can be found, along with contact information for the
Local Board. Review the site occasionally and keep up with the local section!
____________________________________________________________________________________
2008 Local Section Officers, Directors, & Support Staff
Chair: Tim Nolen 229-8287
Chair-Elect and Program Committee Chair: Luke Stewart 229-5173
Secretary: Maria A. Edwards 229-7260
Treasurer: Noah McMillan 229-8114
Directors: Burts Compton 229-8526
Steve Miller 224-7350
Heather McNabb 229-3102
Local Section Webmaster: Tim Nolen 229-8287
Short-Course Coordinator: Mark Shelton 229-4753
Professional Development Coordinator: Joe Parker 229-3850
AIChE Pipeline Newsletter Editors: Heather Petterson 743-9141 x 1047
Tyler Holden 229-1667
ETEAC Representative: Joey Watson 229-6486
____________________________________________________________________________________
American Institute of Chemical Engineers
PO Box 3488
Kingsport, Tennessee 37664-3488
