Mike Kelly inspects masking on an aircraft fuel f l ow body. Aerospace is a big part of ASKO Processing's business.

he really became an enthusiast ic supporter." Finishing Tech is a trade show and conference pre- sented by MFSA and NAMF that centers on manage- ment-related seminars for plating shop owners and sessions geared toward the transportation industry.

The POY selection committee noted Kelly played an important role in participating in various SFIC committees responsible for, among other things, managing and coordinating indus t ry events. This

Whatever You're Cleaning...

included Finishing Tech, the Washington Forum, and SUR/FIN trade show and conference. "Mike has certainly contributed heavily to our industry and to his company for some time, especially over this past year," Revier says.

As chairman of the SFIC events committee, Kelly dealt with challenges affecting existing and potential revenue-generating events. This included the revital- ization of SUR/FIN, the premiere technology show for the North American electroplating industry. "We did not change it dramatically, but we added to it and enhanced it where all industry participants felt it was appropriate," Kelly says. "We were very excited and pleased with the performance of the group and staff, as well as the outcome of SUR/FIN in St. Louis."

A similar tweaking took place with the Washington Forum, which last year featured an agenda that com- bined the environmental perspective offered by the former AESF Week with the policy, regulatory, and economic trends addressed at prior legislative confer- ences. "We reached a consensus to do this and we are really excited about the second Washington Forum coming up this spring," Kelly says.

While all this was happening, Kelly assisted NAMF leadership with its many issues and projects as past

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February 2006 15

IP~[JI01~l "J =[,] ~I ! :l[0] I It ~i~;

Christian Richter addresses automakers last year during a meeting in Detroit. He serves as the lead government relations advocate for the surface finishing industry.

(OSHA) is designed to protect workers from expo- sure to hex chrome, experts contend it would bank-

rupt hal f the industry and force other companies to relocate to countries where environmental laws are less strict. "The pending OSHA rule and how to suc- cessfully and creatively tackle its complexities has been an intense challenge," Richter admits. "We've thrown everything we've got at it and more."

The Policy Group organized a task force to formulate a credible message that the PEL should be set at a rea- sonable and justifiable level. Experts concur a PEL of around 23 is technically and economically feasible. The proposed standard was criticized by industry members for being too stringent, costly and unrealistic. A final OSHA ruling is expected soon.

According to industry watchers, Richter maintains an incredible sense of the different facets of surface f inishing and continuously seeks to improve its image with regulators and the public. "Chris t ian Richter is a first-class person, an unflagging spokesman for our industry, and the kind of leader whom we should all strive to be," says Eric Roiter, vice president, M.E. Baker Co. (Cambridge, Mass.). "His efforts on behalf of the metal finishing industry are truly remarkable and I cannot think of a better candidate for this award." mf

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