Mr. Edward L. Miller, PE - Executive Director

E-mail - 330-972-6527

Ed was President and CEO of the Asphalt Institute prior to becoming the Rubber Division's first Executive Director and an officer of the Division. He earned a BS in Civil Engineering from the US Air Force Academy, MS in Civil Engineering from the University of New Mexico, MBA from the University of Oklahoma and is a registered Professional Engineer. He retired from the Air Force in 1992 after a 20-year career in engineering as well as teaching graduate school as an Assistant Professor and consulting in 15 countries throughout Asia, Europe, Middle East and South America. He is active in community work, such as running an orphanage is South Korea, as board chair for developing homes for abused and unwanted children in Kentucky, teaching children in elementary schools in Ohio and coaching cross-country and track in four states. Within the Rubber Division, Ed is responsible for providing the daily operational leadership as well as serving as a spokesperson, developing partnerships with other organizations and in maintaining good communications with the Executive Committee, Rubber Groups and the American Chemical Society. Ed is the staff liaison to the Steering, Executive, Nominating, Science & Technology Awards, Partnership Development and Subdivision Advisory Committees.

Mrs. Melanie Avdeyev - Expo & Future Sites Manager

E-mail - 330-972-7424

Melanie joined the Division in June 2006, as the Meeting & Office Manager. She came to the Division already having 5 years of experience as an Office Manager with a Non-Profit association. Her job responsibilities include visiting and negotiating future meeting sites to include hotel and convention center contracts and associated meeting space, and in working with the Meetings Manager to manage logistics for the Spring Meetings to include the Science & Technology Awards banquet, Sponsors Reception, registration and other logistics as necessary. She is the staff liaison to the Exhibits & Meeting Sites Committee and the Rubber Recycling Topical Group.

Mrs. Beth Berkheimer - Meetings Manager

E-mail - 330-972-7814

Beth joined the Division on July 1, 2009. She joined us as a Certified Meeting Professional with 20 years of experience at GOJO Industries, Inc., most recently as a Meeting Planner. Her job responsibilities are to manage all meeting logistics to include coordinating with hotels, convention center, Convention & Visitors Bureaus and /or other localities to provides space for meeting function rooms, social events and other activities held at semi-annual Rubber Division meetings, and specialty conferences.  She is also the staff liaison to the Service Awards Committee, 25-Year Club and Local Coordinating Committee.

Ms. Missy Beynon - Systems Manager

E-mail - 330-972-6685

Missy joined the Division in December 1994 as a Student Assistant while studying at The University of Akron. After graduating with a BA in English, she worked for a non-profit in the oil industry before returning to the Division in January 2001. In 2002, Missy received her MA in Writing. Her job responsibilities include the Division's website, databases, network and computers, and Student Colloquium and Chapters. She is the staff liaison to the Student Affairs Committee.

Mr. Christopher Laursen - Science & Technology Librarian

E-mail - 330-972-7197

Chris is a Science & Technology Librarian at The University of Akron and manager of the John H. Gifford Memorial Library of the Rubber Division, ACS. He worked as a business librarian at an executive recruiter and was a chemist prior to joining the Division. He holds a BS in Chemistry from The University of Akron and a MLS from Kent State University. He is an active member of the Cleveland chapter of the Special Libraries Assoc. and enjoys playing guitar and bicycling. Chris is the staff liaison to the History, Best Paper, and Advisory on Testing Procedures Committees.

Mrs. Karen May - Marketing Manager

E-mail - 330-972-7815

The Rubber Division welcomed Karen May as the new Marketing Manager in February 2007. She is responsible for the marketing of all the Rubber Division events and activities and also has added sponsorships to her role. Karen brings more than 17 years of work experience in communication, marketing and public relations. A large part of her career has been devoted to developing strategic communication plans that have aided nonprofit organizations in fundraising and publicity and assisted a publicly-held company with public relations, marketing and employee communications. Karen most recently was with Akron Children’s Hospital, serving more than five years as the Director of Development Communications.  She also was the Vice President of Communications at the Akron Community Foundation. Karen spent more than 10 years at Telxon Corporation where her tenure included work in public relations, investor relations, marketing communication and employee communication. Karen graduated magna cum laude from The University of Akron with a bachelor’s degree in Business and Organization Communication. She was a member of the Leadership Akron Class XVIII and is a current member of the organization’s alumni. She is the staff liaison to the Marketing & Communications Committee.

Ms. Lakisha Miller - Accounting Manager

E-mail - 330-972-6696

Lakisha joined the staff in July 2007. Her background includes Summit County Children Services, the U.S. Air Force, and owning and operating her own tax and accounting service. Lakisha's responsibilities include the day-to-day financial management of the Rubber Division, as well as long-term planning and reporting. She is the staff liaison to the Finance & Budget and Business Affairs Committees. Lakisha is currently completing a Master of Accountancy at The University of Akron.

Ms. Linda McClure - Membership & Technical Program Manager

E-mail - 330-972-7978

Previous to working for the Division, she supported the sales reps and tracked orders for Continental Carbon and was the assistant to the Director of Employee Benefits at GenCorp. During our expositions, stop by our booth or the paper sales area to meet Linda and discuss Division activities and programs. Linda is the staff liaison to the Program Planning Committee and the Membership Committee. Linda was promoted from Receptionist to this position in June 2006.

Ms. Christie L. Robinson - Education & Publications Manager

E-mail - 330-972-6938

Christie Robinson obtained her B.A. in English at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Connecticut, in 2001. She continued on with her graduate studies while teaching high school English and working at the US Navy base in Mayport, Florida. Christie’s Masters in Education is in Adult Learning with a specialization in English and was received in 2005 from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. Currently she works as the Education and Publications Manager for the Rubber Division, ACS in Akron, Ohio. Christie is in charge of all on-site seminars and workshops, online courses, scholarships, publications, and the management and all aspects of the Rubber Chemistry and Technology journal. Additionally, she manages the Rubber Division’s Journal Assistant and is the staff liaison to the Education and Publications and Scholarship Committees as well as the Editorial Board of the Rubber Chemistry and Technology journal. She is also responsible for the investigations, contract negotiations, and acquisitions of printers, editors, and instructors.

Sue Barr - In Memorium

The Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society (ACS) wishes to let all our friends in the industry, academia and elsewhere know of the recent loss of our dear colleague and friend. At 4:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3, 2009, Mrs. Susan (Sue) H. Barr passed away. Sue started with the Rubber Division on February 19, 1995, serving as Assistant Librarian and then Secretary/Publications Specialist. On January 26, 2001, she was hired full-time under the new Rubber Division structure, as the Exposition & Future Sites Manager, also responsible for the TPE Conferences, Science & Technology Awards banquet, Housing and Registration Services and more.

Sue will be best remembered for her beautiful smile, blond hair, congenial attitude, professional integrity and ability to work hard then take the time to relax with friends. She was the cornerstone for managing the Rubber Division's annual expositions and will be deeply missed by her family, friends on the staff, the officers, members, exhibitors, contractors, vendors and every person she touched during her life. On behalf of the entire Rubber Division staff and her family, we wish to thank all those of you who worked with and supported Sue Barr during these past years. If you wish to pass on your condolences to the family, please contact Ed Miller

Sue grew up in Brecksville and lived most of her life in the Akron area. She was employed in the rubber division at American Chemical Society, loved gardening, playing the guitar, and was loved by everyone.

Preceded in death by parents, John and Lucy Hutchinson, she is survived by husband, Don; sons, Damian and Brendan (Alicia); brothers, Ken (Judy), Tom (Carol) and Greg (Terry) Hutchinson; many in-laws, nieces, nephews, and many friends far and wide.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society , 525 N. Broad St., Canfield, OH 44406. To view/sign the funeral home guestbook, click here