Organic Elastomers 360° (April 28 – 29)

• Sustainability trends shaping the organic elastomers market
• Sustainable innovations from Cancarb, Parker Lord, Hallstar, and ITW Pro Brands
• Solutions to common mixing issues, featuring chemical dispersion solutions from RDC and dry liquid dispersion solutions from Hallstar
• Strategies to reduce overall compound costs without compromising performance
• Functional rheology for modern compounds and a live Premier™ Rubber Process Analyzer (RPA) demonstration by Alpha Technologies
• Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA) and application-based testing by ARDL

Day 1 will also include an ARDL facility tour and information about RDAbbott’s services.

• New markets and applications for Cancarb Thermax® N990CG Thermal Carbon Black
• Insights from John Mohl II, Founder and Principal of Rubber Advocates, on improving molding efficiency and cost-effectiveness
• Custom automated systems from ARNOLD Machine to meet your exact specifications
• Plant tour of RDAbbott’s and NovationSi’s shared facility
• Mini expo and networking luncheon
• Chemlok^® rubber-to-substrate adhesives overview and best practices from Parker Lord
• Root cause analysis for bond failures and preventative design strategies

When Day 2 training concludes, presenters and staff will remain available for questions.

Bob Hershberger, Mixing and Compounding Manager for ARDL

Bob Hershberger has been part of the rubber industry for over 25 years. He started as a mill man at Polymerics Inc. in 1990 and quickly moved into a supervisory position. He attended classes at Akron University and became the plant manager of a silicone manufacturing facility. He has experience with mixing, milling, and molding all thermoset polymers. He consults on molding and mixing production improvements ranging from decreased cycle times, optimal mix, mold configuration and molding issues, including fouling, regrind, and other visual defects. He also provides assistance for start-up and prototype production molding processes.

Brady Hultman, Application Engineer for Parker Lord

Brady Hultman is an experienced Application Engineer with more than 30 years’ experience and extensive knowledge of adhesive application equipment, metal preparation for bonding, rubber-to-substrate application and troubleshooting. 27 of those years, Brady provided technical service for the Chemlok® product line. Three of those years, Brady supervised metal preparations and adhesive application in a manufacturing facility.

Chris Sawicki Americas Marketing Manager for Cancarb Limited

Chris Sawicki serves as the Americas Marketing Manager for Cancarb, where he collaborates closely with customers and distributor partners across the Americas, specializing in both rubber and non-rubber applications. He joined Cancarb in 2017 as a Customer Service Representative. Prior to joining Cancarb, he served various purchasing and accounting roles outside of the industry. Chris holds a diploma in Business Administration – Marketing from Medicine Hat College and is an active member of the Rubber Division, ACS Membership Committee.

Douglas Moon, Applications Manager for ITW Pro Brands

Eddie Gonzales, Executive Director of Marketing for RDAbbott

Eddie Gonzales serves as the Executive Director of Marketing at RDAbbott, where he leads the company’s Marketing, Supplier Management, and Product Analyst functions to ensure alignment between RDAbbott’s strategic initiatives, supplier partnerships, and market engagement. Since joining the company in 2004, Eddie has held several key roles—including Account Manager/Technical Sales, Business Line Manager, and Director of Strategic Alignment—progressively expanding his leadership across customer relationships, supplier strategy, and business development. Over more than two decades with RDAbbott, he has played an integral role in strengthening supplier partnerships, developing value-driven market strategies, and supporting the sales organization with technical and commercial insight. Eddie holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of California, Los Angeles, and remains active in several rubber industry associations.

John Mohl II, Founder and Principal of Rubber Advocates

John Mohl II is Founder and Principal of Rubber Advocates, where he helps rubber manufacturers improve performance through best-in-class processes, technologies, and industry connections. With more than 35 years of experience in rubber molding, John has held leadership roles across process engineering, operations, and sales with companies including Hutchinson, REP Corporation, and MAPLAN.

Throughout his career, he has specialized in injection molding, process optimization, and manufacturing efficiency, giving him a well-rounded perspective on the challenges facing today’s rubber producers. At Rubber Advocates, John focuses on helping companies adopt innovative manufacturing approaches while preserving critical industry knowledge.

He is an active leader in the rubber industry, serving on the Board of Directors for the Association for Rubber Products Manufacturers (ARPM), as an Area Director for the Rubber Division, ACS, and as Treasurer of the Michigan Rubber Group, while also supporting several regional industry organizations.

Jose Gonzalez, East Coast Sales Manager for RDAbbott

Jose Gonzalez is the East Coast Sales Manager for RDAbbott, where he leads the company’s account management team across the region and works closely with customers, supplier partners, and internal teams to deliver technical solutions and an exceptional customer experience. Jose joined RDAbbott in 2013 as an Application Engineering and Technical Support (AETS) Specialist, supporting customers through product testing, compound development, and process optimization in the company’s R&D laboratory. He was promoted to Laboratory Manager in 2022 before transitioning to the commercial team later that year as an Account Manager, where he focused on developing customer relationships and driving business growth. In May 2025, Jose was promoted to his current role, where he is responsible for strengthening RDAbbott’s East Coast sales organization and supporting the continued growth and success of the regional team. In 2017, he was recognized as a promising industry talent under 40.

Nick Mesha, Senior Global Account Manager, US & EU – Industrial Solutions for Hallstar

Nick Mesha joined Hallstar in 2007 after graduating from the University of Illinois with a degree in Chemistry. He spent over a decade living in Cleveland, Ohio, and Nashville, Tennessee, where he managed regional sales territories. He now resides in Downers Grove, Illinois, and manages global accounts for Hallstar across the U.S., EU, and India. In his free time, Nick enjoys golfing, reading, walking his dog, and assistant coaching his son’s sports teams.

Nicki Hershberger, Vice President of Consulting Services for ARDL

Nicki Hershberger has been developing rubber formulations for a wide array of polymer types and applications for over 20 years and has a great deal of experience with mixing, molding, extruding, and calendaring rubber compounds. She worked as a Technical Director for a custom rubber mixing company for 15 years and spent four years as a Technical Sales Representative for a carbon black company. She has worked at ARDL for four years and has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Kent State University.

Paul Merda, Education Coordinator/Technical Advisor for ARDL

Paul Merda serves as Education Coordinator and Technical Advisor at ARDL. He brings extensive experience as a laboratory technician, polymer adhesives chemist, and high school science teacher, with 19 years in industry and 13 years in education.

Scott Legleu of RDAbbott (Retired)

Scott Legleu is a seasoned leader with more than two decades in the elastomers, rubber chemicals, and polymer additives industries. He built his career guiding sales strategy, strengthening customer relationships, and supporting manufacturers and OEMs with material selection and application driven solutions. Prior to his retirement, he was a New Business Development Manager at RDAbbott. Scott remains connected to the industry from his home in Milford, Ohio.

Steve Griffin, Director of Business Development for RDAbbott

Steve Griffin is a Business Development Director for RDAbbott, where he is responsible for driving the development and sales of both new and existing products. He brings many years of experience in the chemical industry, with deep expertise in rubber chemicals, intermediates, and specialty additives.

Tim Burrow, Distribution Manager USC for Parker Lord

Tyson Woessner, Director of Business Development at ARNOLD Machine

Tyson Woessner is devoted to advancing customer coating and manufacturing processes and collaborates with a diverse team of experienced Mechanical and Electrical Engineers. During his tenure at Arnold Machine from 1996 to 2012, Tyson honed skills in Machining, Quoting, Raw Material Purchasing, and Shop Management. Over time, he transitioned into roles such as Project Management, Outside Sales, Sales Manager, and his most recent position as Director of Business Development.

Unal Yilmzoglu, Global Applications Engineering Manager for Alpha Technologies

Unal Yilmazoglu brings over a decade of experience in polymer science, beginning his career as a research scientist in academic and industrial laboratories. He currently serves as Senior Scientist and Global Applications Team Leader at Alpha Technologies, where he leads the development and implementation of advanced rheological solutions. With deep expertise in polymer characterization, Unal supports global customers in translating complex material behaviors into actionable process improvements.

The first day of this event is Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

• Training will be held from 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM at ARDL’s facility at 75 Robinson Avenue in Barberton, Ohio.
• Participants are encouraged to register and attend the Ohio Rubber Group’s Spring Technical Meeting from 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM at Mission Falls Brewery at 540 S Main St., Suite 112, in Akron, Ohio.

The second day of this event is Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

• Training will be held from 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM at RDAbbott’s Service Center at 25 Foundation Place, Barberton, Ohio.
• At the conclusion of the event, presenters and staff will remain available for questions.

A more detailed agenda will be sent to all registrants prior to the event.

There is NO cost to attend this training event, but pre-registration* is required.

Registration includes:

• Two days of instruction led by industry professionals with decades of organic elastomer knowledge
• Beverages, snacks, and lunch during each training day

Out-of-town registrants will be responsible for their own lodging and airport transportation needs.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with pertinent event details.

All out-of-town registrants will be responsible for their own lodging and transportation needs.

For a list of recommended airports, hotels, and restaurants near our training facilities, please follow this link: https://rdabbott.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Local-Guide_Barberton_2025.pdf

If you have any questions, please contact Ariana Marich at ariana.marich@rdabbott.com or 234.255.5893