August_AMP_Digital

54 / 62

ASM
news
HIGHLIGHTS... Profile of a Volunteer
ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES • AUGUST 2014 54
Diane Nielsen
Strategic Account Manager – Oil & Gas
Materion Performance Alloys
D iane Nielsen began her career in the
steel industry as an intern with Beth-
lehem Steel. With her Lehigh University
degree in metallurgy and materials engi-
neering, manufacturing seemed like a natural fit—until she
discovered it was more exciting to learn about technologies
in different fields as a sales engineer.
For the past 24 years, Nielsen has done just that for Mate-
rion Performance Alloys (formerly BrushWellman) in Hous-
ton. With expertise in the oil field, she became a strategic
account manager, working with global oil and gas companies
to develop materials solutions for advancing technologies in
challenging environments.
“My first involvement with ASM was in college, where I
gained exposure to a broad scope of industries and jobs,” re-
calls Nielsen. When she moved to Cleveland to work for La-
trobe Steel, Nielsen jumped into ASM Cleveland’s executive
committee. “It was great to meet people with similar techni-
cal interests, but in a new city,” she recalls.
With ASMHouston, Nielsen devoted 20+ years of service
to the executive committee including serving as Chapter
chairperson. She remains a valuable chapter resource as an
advisor. Education is her greatest passion. She organized
teacher and student Materials Camps and ASM courses, in-
cluding Houston’s own Practical Oilfield Metallurgy. “We get
experts teaching courses over an eight-week period. It’s one
of our chapter’s strengths,” says Nielsen.
She also embraces the challenge to attract younger ASM
members. “We need to connect with new people joining our
profession. For example, we’re having a chapter meeting with
an Oktoberfest theme at a popular local brewery!”
What does volunteering add to her life? “I’m a sales engi-
neer working far away frommy company’s headquarters—so
teamwork with ASM colleagues is rewarding. We support
each other to get things done. We’re focused on the growth
and improvement of the ASM Houston Chapter.”
Micrograph Database—
Composites Release
The ASM Micrograph Database is a growing
collection of more than 4000micrograph images
and associated information, published by ASM
International, in cooperation with the Interna-
tional Metallographic Society (IMS). Nearly 200
micrographs and associated data, with a special
focus on composites, were recently added to the database. The
new content includes natural composites and polymer matrix
records. For more information, contact
, 440.338.5151 ext. 5663.
VOLUNTEERISM COMMITTEE
Profile of a Volunteer
Members in the News
The Universal Language of Metallography
An IMS past president and world traveler, George F. Van-
der Voort, FASM, recently ventured to Russia to instruct a
two-day class on Metallography & Failure Analysis. He can
attest that the science of metallography transcends language
barriers. Vander Voort is currently vice president of Alpha
Sigma Mu, the international honor society for materials sci-
ence and engineering.
Tau Beta Pi Selects Scholars
The Fellowship Board of Tau Beta Pi, the engineering
honor society, recently announced the selection of 242 Tau
Beta Pi Scholars for undergraduate study during the 2014-
15 academic year. Most recipients will receive a cash award
of $2000 for their senior year of engineering study. Scholar-
ships are awarded on the basis of high scholarship, campus
leadership and service, and promise of future contributions
to the engineering profession. Awardees include the follow-
ing joint student members of ASM: Brittany Gallagher and
Ziyin Huang (Drexel Univ.), Alexandra Glover (Michigan
Technological Univ.), and Christie Hasbrouck (Trine Univ.).
Wicks Awarded ACerS
Distinguished Life Membership
In May, the American Ceramic Society
(ACerS) announced that George Wicks
earned the honor of Distinguished LifeMem-
bership. He will be inducted at the Society’s
Annual Awards andHonors Banquet onOc-
tober 13 during MS&T, in Pittsburgh. Re-
garded as a national and international expert
in nuclear materials, Wicks recently retired
after 40 years at Savannah River National Laboratory. As presi-
dent of Wicks Consulting Services LLC, he now provides inde-
pendent consulting services, workingwith theApplied Research
Center in South Carolina, and is adjunct professor at Georgia
Health Sciences University-Georgia Regents University.
Heat Treater’s Guide Companion App – New Version!
The Heat Treater’s Guide Companion app, created by
ASM International and the ASM Heat Treating Society,
provides ready reference data on more than 330 steel
alloys. The app can be used by itself or as a compan-
ion to the ASM Heat Treater’s Guide print and online
database products. The latest version features the ad-
dition of tool, stainless, and ultrahigh-strength steel al-
loys, plus enhanced searching. The free app can be
downloaded from the Apple and Google App stores.