Kerry Pianoforte, Editor01.17.24
The Metropolitan New York Coatings Association (MNYCA) recently held their Paint Pioneer Awards. The annual Paint Pioneer Awards honor colleagues who have given 25, 40 and 50 years to the advancement of the Protective Coatings Industry.
“Recognizing long term commitment and dedication to a profession, let alone an industry, is key to acknowledging the vital role these individuals play in the advancement of the industry and the association,” said Alicia Colacci, President, MNYCA. “The MNYCA is honored to show our appreciation for their expertise and contributions.”
25 Year Member – Hersjel Wehrens, Heubach
After more than 25 years in the coatings industry, Wehrens describes himself as a "Colorant Connoisseur with expertise in all facets of POS Tinting Systems.” He graduated from Zuyd University of Applied Sciences in 1996 and started working at a small Dutch POS company. After four years there, he moved to the U.S. with CPS Color. He remained in the U.S., joined Elements and restarted the development of POS colorants to make the systems more flexible in anticipation of future changes. This new approach created an opportunity for growing the architectural colorant business. He was promoted to the role of senior global marketing manager and was in coatings. In 2019, Wehrnes joined Heubach to lead its technical group in the U.S. Over the course of his career, Wehrens has become an expert in pigment dispersion, POS tinting systems, color, coatings and inks and coating additives and paint.
40 Year Member – Alex Radu, Shamrock Technologies
Radu is a distinguished professional with a Master’s degree in Polymer Engineering from the Polytechnic Institute in Bucharest, Romania. Over his career, he has made significant contributions to the fields of polymers, coatings and inks. With a strong foundation in research and development, Radu began his career in 1982 at the Research Center for Anticorrosion Protection, where he earned several patents. He then transitioned to polymer development in the automotive industry, working with companies such as Vianova KunstharzAG and Kurt Herberts GmbH. In 1991, Rad shifted to the graphic arts sector, joining Michael Huber AG and subsequently at Lubrizol and Eastman, specializing in additives for coatings and inks. Since 2003, Radu has been a driving force at Shamrock Technologies, consistently contributing to the advancement of additives for coatings and inks. According to the nomination committee, his extensive expertise, adaptability and dedication have been invaluable to the industry, making him a worthy nominee for recognition.
40 Year Member – Michael Smith, JNS-Smithchem
Michael Smith manages the JNS-Smithchem sales team in addition in addition to minerals and functional fillers line of products and operations-related activities. Smith was the former president and sales manager at SmithChem & Young, LLC, which along with JNS Supply LLC in 2009 formed JNS-SmithChem LLC. In previous roles he held executive positions as vice president, SmithChem Division of Lansco Colors, and as president of SmithChem & Young. Michael holds a B.A. degree in business and psychology from the University of Michigan.
40 Year Member – Roy Meyer, Munzing
Roy Meyer is a technical project manager with Munzing for 37 years and an integral part of the Paint and Coatings industry. Prior to Munzing, he was employed by Drew Chemical in the position of Research and Technology chemist from 1981 to 1985 and before that, a Technical Services pepresentative for Colloids Inc. Meyer has over 40 years of service and dedication. According to colleagues, Meyer has worn many hats in the technical lab to help in good times and on occasion through major challenges. Most importantly, Meyer has been a steadying force, as acknowledged by his co-workers, that he is always willing to help and share his knowledge. He has been a key contributor in working directly with customers and frequently travels with the sales force to promote Munzing products. Meyer is well respected by customers who value his expertise and problem solving skills. His colleagues noted they “appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that Roy has given and we thank him for all of his contributions.”
Thomas Daquila (l), Rick Mazzariello and Dave White (far right) present the Pioneer Awards to Alex Radu, Hersjel Wehrens, Michael Smith & Roy Meyer.
“Recognizing long term commitment and dedication to a profession, let alone an industry, is key to acknowledging the vital role these individuals play in the advancement of the industry and the association,” said Alicia Colacci, President, MNYCA. “The MNYCA is honored to show our appreciation for their expertise and contributions.”
25 Year Member – Hersjel Wehrens, Heubach
After more than 25 years in the coatings industry, Wehrens describes himself as a "Colorant Connoisseur with expertise in all facets of POS Tinting Systems.” He graduated from Zuyd University of Applied Sciences in 1996 and started working at a small Dutch POS company. After four years there, he moved to the U.S. with CPS Color. He remained in the U.S., joined Elements and restarted the development of POS colorants to make the systems more flexible in anticipation of future changes. This new approach created an opportunity for growing the architectural colorant business. He was promoted to the role of senior global marketing manager and was in coatings. In 2019, Wehrnes joined Heubach to lead its technical group in the U.S. Over the course of his career, Wehrens has become an expert in pigment dispersion, POS tinting systems, color, coatings and inks and coating additives and paint.
40 Year Member – Alex Radu, Shamrock Technologies
Radu is a distinguished professional with a Master’s degree in Polymer Engineering from the Polytechnic Institute in Bucharest, Romania. Over his career, he has made significant contributions to the fields of polymers, coatings and inks. With a strong foundation in research and development, Radu began his career in 1982 at the Research Center for Anticorrosion Protection, where he earned several patents. He then transitioned to polymer development in the automotive industry, working with companies such as Vianova KunstharzAG and Kurt Herberts GmbH. In 1991, Rad shifted to the graphic arts sector, joining Michael Huber AG and subsequently at Lubrizol and Eastman, specializing in additives for coatings and inks. Since 2003, Radu has been a driving force at Shamrock Technologies, consistently contributing to the advancement of additives for coatings and inks. According to the nomination committee, his extensive expertise, adaptability and dedication have been invaluable to the industry, making him a worthy nominee for recognition.
40 Year Member – Michael Smith, JNS-Smithchem
Michael Smith manages the JNS-Smithchem sales team in addition in addition to minerals and functional fillers line of products and operations-related activities. Smith was the former president and sales manager at SmithChem & Young, LLC, which along with JNS Supply LLC in 2009 formed JNS-SmithChem LLC. In previous roles he held executive positions as vice president, SmithChem Division of Lansco Colors, and as president of SmithChem & Young. Michael holds a B.A. degree in business and psychology from the University of Michigan.
40 Year Member – Roy Meyer, Munzing
Roy Meyer is a technical project manager with Munzing for 37 years and an integral part of the Paint and Coatings industry. Prior to Munzing, he was employed by Drew Chemical in the position of Research and Technology chemist from 1981 to 1985 and before that, a Technical Services pepresentative for Colloids Inc. Meyer has over 40 years of service and dedication. According to colleagues, Meyer has worn many hats in the technical lab to help in good times and on occasion through major challenges. Most importantly, Meyer has been a steadying force, as acknowledged by his co-workers, that he is always willing to help and share his knowledge. He has been a key contributor in working directly with customers and frequently travels with the sales force to promote Munzing products. Meyer is well respected by customers who value his expertise and problem solving skills. His colleagues noted they “appreciate all of the hard work and dedication that Roy has given and we thank him for all of his contributions.”
Thomas Daquila (l), Rick Mazzariello and Dave White (far right) present the Pioneer Awards to Alex Radu, Hersjel Wehrens, Michael Smith & Roy Meyer.
