Jim D. Isner is Manager of Polymer Diagnostics, he oversees all projects and sets priorities for new ventures. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University, Jim began his career at BFGoodrich as a Research & Development engineer and was most recently a Senior Research & Development Supervisor with The Geon Company. Jim is a member of the Microbeam Analysis Society and the Microscopy Society of America. To contact call 440-930-1605. Philip I. Bak is a Chemist specializing in spectrographic analysis at PDI. With more than 10 years of experience in the chemical and research and development (R&D) fields, Philip has worked extensively with dispersion resins, suspension resins, and in exploratory research. A graduate of The University of Rochester--where he earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry--he has several patents and published articles to his credit. He is involved in the national and Cleveland chapters of the American Chemical Society. To contact call 440-930-1161. Dr. David A. Ernes is a Senior Research & Development Associate in the Analytical Department at PDI, where he uses chromatographic techniques (GC, GC/MS, LC, SEC) for methods development and problem-solving. After obtaining his Ph.D. from Ohio University in analytical chemistry in 1978, David was a Senior Research Chemist at BFGoodrich Company and a Senior Research & Development Associate at The Geon Company. David is a member of the American Chemical Society. To contact call 440-930-1489. As a Senior Technologist in the PDI Physical Testing Department, Paul Mate tests the physical properties of several different rigid and flexible vinyl materials, including computer housings, vinyl siding, and automobile dashboards, and assists in the supervision of various lab functions. Over the past 30 years, Paul has worked with BFGoodrich and Geon in polymerization technology, injection molding and extrusion, and product development. To contact call 440-930-1747. Coleen A. McFarland holds the position of Research & Development Chemist in the Analytical Department, where she performs thermal analysis on a variety of polymers. A master’s graduate of Case Western Reserve University, Coleen served as a chemist at Akron Rubber Development and joined The Geon Company in 1995, before making the transition to PDI in 1997. She is active in the American Chemical Society and the president-elect of the North Coast Thermal Analysis Society. To contact call 440-930-1377. Dr. Greg F. Smith is a Research & Development Associate for PDI, where he is responsible for qualitative and quantitative analysis of materials for problem-solving, manufacturing, and product development support. Greg devotes most of his time to the fire sciences, atomic spectroscopy, SEM/EDX, and polymer mechanics areas. He holds a Ph.D. in chemistry from Purdue University and is actively involved in the American Chemical Society, ASTM, NFPA, and Phi Lambda Upsilon. To contact call 440-930-1814.