ACS – Joint Meeting Akron and Cleveland Sections

Ross Widenor and Ron Shaffer, Bridgetome
“Radically Re-Thinking our Raw Materials Supply Chain”

The Brew Kettle, 11 Atterbury Boulevard, Hudson OH 44236

RSVP by Sept 19 at ACSCleveland.org. Menu Cornbread, Salad, White cheddar Mac & Cheese, Coleslaw, Baked beans, Cajun chicken pasta, Pulled pork, Chicken tenders. Soft drinks are included, as will be one beer for those of legal age.
Members $20, retirees, $10, unemployed and students FREE.

Abstract: As the tire industry strives to deliver sustainability objectives, one major challenge will be to decouple our upstream supplies from traditional petrochemical feedstocks and diversify into renewable, bio-sourced and recycled materials.  This presentation will investigate how Bridgestone views this challenge and how our traditional industry ecosystem, combined with new players and new technologies can work together to deliver on those objectives.

Ross Widenor Bio: Originally from the Pittsburgh area, Ross received his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Chemical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. He joined Bridgestone Americas in 2013, and has progressed through roles in Central Research, Raw Materials Development, Compound Development, Open Innovation, and Project Management. He leads Bridgestone’s volunteer Akron Campus Green Team and chairs the Summit of Sustainability Alliance, a collective of for-profit, non-profit, government, and educational institutions interested in partnerships for sustainability. Ross also sits on the board of BProud!, Bridgestone’s employee resource group for LGBTQ+ teammates and allies. He is active in his local community, promoting similar values to those he champions in the workplace.

Ron Shaffer Bio: Dr. Ron Shaffer is Senior Manager, Materials & Sustainability in the Core Material Sciences Division at the Bridgestone Americas Technology Center in Akron, Ohio.  In this role, he is responsible for management of an applied R&D program focused on advanced and sustainable materials and material data science.  His department is also responsible for the raw material approval program for Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.  Before joining Bridgestone in 2018, he worked in a variety of scientific and leadership positions at the Naval Research Laboratory, General Electric Global Research Center, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Dr. Shaffer received his Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Ohio University in 1996.  He is the author/co-author of 90+ manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals (H-index = 45, 7t00+ citations) and 7 US patents.