Steven Mitchell

Experience

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  UNIVERSITY OF AKRON- Polymer Science Department

  Sept 1993 - Jun 1998

  RESEARCH ASSISTANT

  Ph.D. polymer chemistry student focused on free-radical initiation, polymerization, copolymerization, and polymer characterization. Executed Dow Chemical funded dissertation project- “Novel phosphorus-containing monomers for the synthesis of ignition resistant polystyrene” that was focused on incorporating bound phosphorous into polystyrene to improve the flame resistance of airplane seat cushions. ◘ Synthesized and patented novel phosphorous-containing acrylic, methacrylic, fumaric and vinylbenzylic monomers and evaluated their reactivities in copolymerizations with styrene.◘ Improved the Limiting Oxygen Index of polystyrene by 30% by copolymerizing styrene with phosphorus-containing acrylic monomers Show less

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  ExxonMobil

  Jun 1998 - Mar 2004

  RESEARCH CHEMIST

  Core Technology: Natural and black EPDM-PP thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) resins produced via dispersing dynamic vulcanized EPDM rubber into PP during twin-screw extrusion compounding.Supervised one senior technician. Executed formulation development projects and resolved product quality issues.◘ Led site safety team and implemented a Total Safety Culture based on training, observations, and feedback◘ Captured $8MM in sales revenue through partnering with applications development, manufacturing, and marketing and commercializing an extrusion EPDM-PP TPE compound for the automotive weatherseals market◘ Engaged with customers, supply chain, and manufacturing and resolved OEM part surface issues with injection molding EPDM-PP TPE grades costing $4MM by launching performance-optimized formulations ◘ Eliminated severe blooming issue and enhanced the service life of high flow EPDM-PP TPE grades by 17% by implementing a new robust antioxidant package possessing high matrix solubility and long-term efficacy◘ Improved injection molding EPDM-PP TPE cycle time by 18% and tensile strength by 15% through partnering with customers and the applications team and implementing performance optimized formulations ◘ Devised novel phosphite based cure system for butyl rubber based TPE’s Show less

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  Trex Company

  Apr 2004 - Feb 2014

  RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

  Core Technology: Residential co-extruded wood-plastic composite (WPC) decking with a core made from reclaimed/recycled wood and PE, and a protective cap made from high performance polymers and functional additives.Led the Formulations Team and supervised one entry-level engineer and one senior technician. Managed NPD and process development, cost-performance optimization, and product quality and process improvement projects. ◘ Delivered game-changing composite decking performance and $70MM in sales revenue by empowering a cross-functional team and commercializing cap surfaces for a revolutionary co-extruded product portfolio◘ Captured $12MM in incremental sales by selling an innovative decking prototype with exotic tropical aesthetics to V.P.’s of Marketing and Sales and leading scale up efforts through commercialization ◘ Secured $13MM in cost savings by collaborating with supply chain and engineering and launching an in-house capstock compounding process and completing multi-stage formulation optimization projects◘ Partnered with marketing and CA state and local fire marshals and commercialized two generations of CA-SFM code compliant decking products by incorporating a novel FR package based on renewable additives◘ Directed a cross-functional SS DMAIC team and eliminated a $160MM delamination issue with mono-extruded wood-PE composite decking via formulation optimization and launch of a new manufacturing SOP◘ Exceeded 95% recycled material inclusion sustainability target and reduced decking cap surface costs by partnering with suppliers and procurement and qualifying three new recycled HDPE (PCR) sources Show less

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  GAF

  Sept 2015 - Feb 2017

  PRINCIPAL SCIENTIST

  Core Technology: Commercial single-ply PVC roofing membranes produced via extrusion lamination of a protective PVC cap layer and a PVC core layer onto an engineered reinforcing knitted fabric.Led the Single-Ply PVC Team and supervised one senior technician. Managed Stage-Gate NPD and technology exploration projects, and supported PVC manufacturing startup efforts.◘ Delivered a five-year strategic technology roadmap for next-generation single-ply PVC roofing membranes◘ Led a large interdisciplinary Stage-Gate NPD team and developed innovative single-ply membranes based on high performance PVC formulations and engineered PET knit reinforcements◘ Partnered with marketing, manufacturing, finance, and material suppliers and delivered a Stage-Gate NPD plan for the development of a fiberglass-reinforced single-ply PVC roofing membrane product portfolio ◘ Collaborated with manufacturing, process engineering, and equipment manufacturers and resolved PVC sheet extrudate issues through implementation of a new screw design and manufacturing best practices◘ Launched an extrusion lamination-calendering pilot line process for production of single-ply PVC prototypes Show less