Editorial Advisory Board

Meet Ceramic Industry’s Editorial Advisory Board

Dr. Charles E. Semler - Refractories Consultant, Semler Materials Services

Dr. Charles E. Semler has a long track record with the refractories industry. He was manager of refractories technology with The Winters Co. in Tucson, Ariz., from 1997-1999, working as an international refractories consultant.

Prior to that, Dr. Semler worked as an independent refractories consultant for 11 years, and was Professor of Ceramic Engineering and Director of the Refractories Research Center at Ohio State University for 12 years. Prior to joining Ohio State University, he worked in the industry for seven years, three of which were spent with Harbison-Walker Refractories Co.

He is a Fellow and Life Member of the American Ceramic Society, and has served as Chairman of the Refractory Ceramics Division, Chairman of the Phase Equilibrium Committee, Chairman of the Central Ohio Section and Vice President - International. He is also a member of other organizations, including ASTM, the Australasian Ceramic Society, and the Iron & Steel Society. He was involved in the creation of the Unified International Technical Conference on Refractories (UNITECR) and served on the U.S. UNITECR Board from 1989 to 1995. He was named a Distinguished Life Member of UNITECR in 1991, received the St. Louis Refractories Award in 1995, was named a charter board member for the "Industry and Innovation" class of the International Academy of Ceramics in 1996, and serves as a technical editor for the Technical Association of Refractories, Japan (TARJ). Dr. Semler has written the Refractories column in Ceramic Industry for the past several years. He currently works as an independent refractories consultant.

William Babik - Technical Sales Manager, Nabertherm USA

Will received his bachelor's of science degree from the University of Pittsburgh in materials science and engineering. He has eight years of experience in various industries and ceramic applications, including solid oxide fuel cell development, LTCCs on metal, and piezoelectric ceramic/process development with strong emphasis on process development and improvement.

Gary Childress - General Manager, Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation

Gary began his service as general manager with the Edward Orton Jr. Ceramic Foundation in September 2001. Prior to joining Orton, he served as vice president of the industrial minerals group of Hecla Mining Co., Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, from 1994 to 2001. Gary served as president of Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Co., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hecla Mining Co., from 1986 to 1994. Prior to joining Hecla, he held various engineering and marketing positions in the ceramics and minerals industries.

Gary graduated from Clemson University in 1969 with a bachelor's of science degree in ceramic engineering. He currently serves as a member of the external advisory board of the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Clemson University.

Matthew Centa - Technical Support Manager-Ceramics and Glass, Rio Tinto Minerals

Matt is based in Rio Tinto Minerals' Denver, Colo., office and handles a variety of technical service responsibilities for the company, which mines, manufactures and refines talc, borax, boric acid, anhydrous borax and boric anhydride for the glass and ceramic industries.

James E. Houseman, Ph.D. - President, Harrop Industries, Inc.

Jim joined Harrop Industries in 1965 and was named the company's president in 1978. He served as president of the American Ceramic Society from 2000-2001. Jim earned his doctorate in ceramic engineering from The Ohio State University in 1970.

If you would like to contact any of these board members, please e-mail the editor at suttons@bnpmedia.com.