INDUSTRY FACES
Exec Eyes Opportunities for Women in Metalcasting In the days and weeks leading up to the inaugural
“Women in Metalcasting Breakfast” at April’s AFS Metalcasting Congress, Laura Grondin had tempered expectations. Te CEO and president of Virginia In- dustries Inc., Rocky Hill, Conn., had noticed more and more women at various manufacturing events. But things hadn’t changed entirely from those days after joining the family business in 1986, where Grondin often found herself the only woman in the room. She and her fellow organizers had a modest goal in
mind: If they could gather two or three dozen industry members, they would consider the first go-around a success. “We ended up with around 60 women in the room,”
Grondin said. “To double our goal, we were absolutely thrilled. I think we tapped into an interest, that women in the industry wanted a forum for networking and discussion.” Te idea is to build a support system for women in the
metalcasting industry that allows them to discuss certain challenges or issues that may arise in a male-dominated industry. One of three women on the AFS Board of Direc- tors, Grondin sees opportunity in mentoring and recruit- ing younger professionals, in addition to supporting those already in metalcasting. “Part of it, which is a larger issue than just our industry,
involves encouraging women and girls to be active in STEM fields—and that encouragement needs to begin as early as middle school,” she said. “People need to reject the stereotypes that say women won’t be interested in this field. We need
PERSONALS B&L Infor- Patrick McCrevan
mation Systems, Bridgman, Mich., appointed Patrick McCrevan as ac- count executive. McCrevan joined the B&L client support team in 2006.
Eagle Engineered
Solutions announced Kevin Wenner as its new operations manager. Prior to joining Eagle Engi- neered Solutions, Wenner held management posi- tions with McDonnell Douglas, James River Corporation and the U.S. Department of State. Ervin Industries, Ann
Kevin Wenner Ryan Clay
Arbor, Mich., announced Ryan Clay as its new sales manager, who will be responsible for working with Ervin’s distributor
18 | MODERN CASTING July 2014
sales group and direct representatives. Carpenter Brothers
Inc., Norton Shores, Mich., announced the hire of two technical sales representatives. Mike Kamin will cover
OBITUARIES Charles “Chuck”
Fausel died May 27, 2014. He was 87. A graduate of the Univ. of Illinois, Champaign, Ill., in mechanical and metallurgical engineering, Fausel joined General Motors’ foundry division. In 1960, he became a consulting engineer with Lester B. Knight & Associates, Chicago. Fausel was the AFS Past President, 1974-75. He was awarded the AFS Gold Medal
for achievements and service to cast metals technology and manufacturing in 1985. Al Rice died April 13, 2014. He was
Charles “Chuck” Fausel
76. Rice was one of three to open Mid Canadian Investment Castings, Bramp- ton, Ontario, Canada. In 1980, Rice moved to Hillsboro, Texas, to open Cercon Casting Corp., a new division of his former firm’s parent company before retiring in 1991.
Al Rice Mike Kamin
foundry accounts in the Wisconsin area from the Milwaukee office, and Joe Kranz will cover accounts in Minnesota and western Wisconsin from the Minneapolis location.
“People need to reject the stereotypes that say women won’t be interested in this field.”—Laura Grondin
the kind of outreach that encourages girls to explore different fields.” Taking the helm at Virginia Industries 15
years ago, Grondin has continued to see an uptick in women on the floor of metalcast- ing facilities. Tough they remain a minority throughout industry, Grondin encourages women to accept it and refuse to be defined by it. “I would still encourage them to try to fit in,” she said. “You want to see people capable of working on a team, and part of being a good team member is figuring out how to work effectively with your colleagues. But I would also encourage them to not be afraid to say, ‘Hey, I can lead that committee’ or ‘I’m interested in taking on more responsibility.’ Because if you think the people around you aren’t asking, you’re wrong.” In the months following Metalcasting Congress, the Women in
Laura Grondin
Metalcasting group has developed a LinkedIn networking group with more than 100 participants. Grondin said the group also aims to produce webinars for the participants in the coming year.
Joe Kranz
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