Opening the Doors of Opportunity to Metalcasting Students.

This gathering of metalcasting professionals, educators and students provides a forum for the industry to sell itself to the next generation of engineers.

There may not be a more fitting theme for the Foundry Educational Foundation (FEE) College Industry Conference (CIC) than this year's "Opportunities in Metalcasting." As a gathering place for engineering students and foundrymen from across the nation, this conference is a forum for the metalcasting industry to sell itself and its opportunities to prospective engineers.

This year's conference, held November 9-11 in Chicago, drew more than 402 attendees, including 130 student delegates (representing 28 of the 30 FEF schools). In addition, 49 companies participated in the industry in formation session, which provided an opportunity for the students and exhibiting companies to discuss employment and advancement opportunities within the metalcasting industry.

The CIC also featured the first viewing of the new FEF video and CD-ROM "Casting for a Career." The presentation, which was developed and produced entirely through Ford Motor Co. resources over a period of several years, will be distributed early next year.

A Look Back

Kicking off the session on the second day of the conference, three panelists of varying years of experience in metalcasting shared why they pursued a career in this industry and provided tips to the engineering students on what they believe it takes to succeed. On the panel were: Eric Shelhorn, Honda of America Manufacturing, Anna Engine Plant, as the junior (in terms of experience) panelist; Denise Cline, Ford Motor Co., as the intermediate panelist; and Doug Warner, Porter Warner Industries, as the senior panelist.

With less than 2 years of experience on the job, Shelhorn, who is a process/quality engineer, shared what he believes are the three critical areas a student must address when considering offers for employment: "First, you must research every company that is interested in hiring you to determine for which one you would like to work. Second, you must determine what each of these companies has to offer you in terms of growth and advancement. Third, it is critical that you understand whether you will be working in a manufacturing or design environment."

Shelhorn was the first of the panelists to advise the students to "look at the big picture" when selecting a company for which to work, "don't zero in on salary."

Cline, who is a quality manager for Ford, provided a unique perspective to the students as a person who has worked on both the casting supplier and casting buyer sides of automobile manufacturing in both technical and nontechnical positions. Cline started her career at Ford's Cleveland Casting Plant before moving to the Cleveland Engine Plant and then to engine block and cylinder head research and development in Dearborn, Michigan. "Look for opportunities that are challenging," she said. "I always want to come into a position where I can add value to the company and make a contribution."

Cline discussed the importance of taking on challenges professionally and personally. Cline believes it is important for the students to define what success and accomplishment means to them, and then develop a plan to meet that definition.

The last of the three panelists, Warner, president of Porter Warner Industries, provided the perspective of someone who has been in the industry for 37 years. Warner laid out what he believes are the six requirements for a successful career: continued education on and off the job; commitment to your company; personal and corporate goal setting; health safeguarding; having fun; and giving back to your industry.

Warner also discussed the values he learned growing up in a family-owned business. He stressed the importance of "staying focused on your goals" and "directing your efforts in the same direction" on both a personal and professional level.

Building a Foundry Business

The conference's keynote address was given by Frank DeMeo, chairman and CEO of General Casting Co. Titled "Anatomy of a Business Enterprise," DeMeo's discussion focused on the values that have guided him in building his eight-plant foundry group. With more than $65 million in sales last year, General Casting produces gray and ductile iron castings from 1-30,000 lb in green sand, nobake and lost foam.

"Being a good businessman and foundryman are not mutually exclusive," said DeMeo. "Your technical degree will be the tool for analyzing the elements of any business enterprise."

DeMeo explained the importance of analyzing the past, present and future of an industry to determine its stability before entering it. "It is critical to see what potential there is for new business growth," he said. "Then, you have to learn from those who have had success." DeMeo cited GM's investment in lost foam technology as one of the reasons his firm has pursued lost foam casting and started up a new foundry this year.

According to DeMeo, his firm's 25% growth/year for the last 5 years can be attributed to many things, including: determining what needs his firm serves with its products and services more effectively that its competition, and measuring everything to be able to fix problems and improve upon current practices.

Awards

FEF's highest honor, the E.J. Walsh Award, was presented to Paul Carey, Ashland Chemical Co., for his continued support of the foundation. Southwest Texas State Univ.'s Bob Habingreither was presented with an AFS Director's Award to recognize his service to the foundation. In addition, Neenah Foundry, Simpson Technologies Corp., and the Casting Industry Suppliers Assn. (CISA) received special recognition as the FEF Foundry, Supplier and Society/Association of the Year, respectively,

During the Edward C. Hoenicke Memorial Luncheon, the first FEF/Ray Witt Gift Program $10,000 gifts were presented to Chris Ramsay, Univ. of Missouri-Rolla; Kyle Metzloff, Univ. of Wisconsin-Platteville; and Shiang-Fong Chen, Tri-State Univ. In addition, FEF honored three retiring professors--Carl Loper, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison; Don Askeland, Univ. of Missouri-Rolla; and Roger Hauser, Univ. of Wisconsin-Platteville--for their lifelong service to the foundation.

Following the breakfast address by Kent State Univ. President Carol Cartwright on the conference's last day, 21 scholarships were presented to FEF student delegates. A new scholarship presented was the John Svoboda Memorial Scholarship, which was awarded to Arrika Stevens of Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo Univ. Following is a list of all the scholarship winners:

* Keith D. Millis Scholarship--Lazaro Beltran-Sanchez, Univ. of Alabama; Andrew Herring, Pittsburg State Univ.; Matthew Mroczek, Ferris State Univ.; Hans Vanden Berg, Univ. of Wisconsin-Platteville;

* Ron Ruddle Memorial Scholarship--Robert MacKay, Univ. of Windsor;

* CISA Scholarship--Shayne Turner, Cal State-Chico;

* AFS Detroit-Booth Scholarship--Mike Moore, Michigan Tech;

* AFS Southwestern Ohio Scholarship--Dawn Garrow, Ohio State Univ.;

* William M. Grimes School-Gartland Foundry--Tinsley West, Penn State Univ.;

* Millis-George W. Mathews, Jr. Endowment--Alan Myers, Central Washington Univ.;

* Sims-George W. Mathews, Jr. Endowment--Jeanne Treasurer, Univ. of Missouri-Rolla;

* Walsh-George W. Mathews. Jr. Endowment--Casey Neidlinger, Purdue Univ.-West Lafayette;

* James P. & Katherine Keating Scholarship--Andrew Walker, Purdue Univ.-Indianapolis;

* Ron & Glen Birtwistle Memorial Scholarship--James Golomski, Pittsburg State Univ.;

* Ron & Glen Birtwistle Memorial Scholarship--Helen Ule, Univ. of Windsor;

* Tony & Elda Dorfmueller Scholarship--Kimberly Mayer, Case Western Reserve Univ.;

* William E. Conway Scholarship-Fairmount Minerals--Robert Tuttle, Worcester Polytechnic Univ.;

* Deere Scholarship-Environmental--Tiffany Watson, Univ. of Northern Iowa;

* Transportation Technologies Industries Scholarship--Jonathan Weaver, Purdue Univ.-Indianapolis;

* Robert W. Reesman Memorial Scholarship--Christopher Leis, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison;

* Burleigh Jacobs Scholarship-Grede--Darren Bagby, Pittsburg State Univ.;

* Donald G. Brunner Scholarship-Waupaca--Jarrod Ertel, Univ. of Wisconsin-Platteville;

* George Isaac Scholarship--Gary DiSpensa, Penn State Univ.;

* modern costing Partners Scholarship--David Nasser, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo;

* Robert V. Wolf Memorial Scholarship--Luis Trueba, Univ. of Missouri-Rolla;

* John Svoboda Memorial Scholarship--Arrika Stevens, Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo;

* Jack H. Thompson Memorial Scholarship--Allen Birschbach, Univ. of Missouri-Rolla;

* AFS Twin City Scholarships--Jason Kjerstad, Univ. of Wisconsin-Platteville; Tiffany Watson, Univ. of Northern Iowa;

* David Lame Scholarships--Timothy Dues, Tri-State Univ.; Thomas Gwinn, Purdue Univ.-Indianapolis; Adrianne Horsky, Marquette Univ.; Daniel Kinter, Pittsburg State Univ.; Robert MacKay, Univ. of Windsor; Sean McNerney, Kent State Univ.; Matthew Pettus, Tri-State Univ.; Jonathan Weaver, Purdue Univ.-Indianapolis; Grant Wesson, Univ. of Northern Iowa;

* Affiliate Scholarship--Adriana Greco, Univ. of Windsor; Andy Matola, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison;

* SFSA--Richard Coon, Cal State-Chico; Jason Haines, Univ. of Cincinnati; Jeanne Treasurer, Univ. of Missouri-Rolla.