The Chairman's Award Program of GrafTech International Ltd. recognizes employees who exhibit a high level of initiative, innovative thinking, and strong leadership. GrafTech's leadership philosophy encompasses customer driven strategic thinking with a bias for action that should, from time-to-time, result in very exceptional performance worthy of recognition by the Chairman.
Dr. C.F. (John) Chang
(Awarded June 25, 2001)
John Chang is the recipient of the Chairman's Award for his lifelong contribution to GrafTech's technology.
Since John joined the company in 1976, he created or directed the creation of much of the fundamental science behind many of our products. From his early work on silicon through mesophase pitch, needle cokes, high performance graphites and carbons, carbonaceous adhesives and flexible graphite, to carbon nanotubes and fibers, it is John's deep understanding which has made many of GrafTech's advances possible.
John's active interest in all things carbon, coupled with his high profile participation in the scientific community, have made possible the creation of our licensing and technical services business, High Tech High Temp.
All of GrafTech's businesses are technology driven, and in 100 years of business we have created a lot of the carbon and high temperature processing technology. Applying what we know to other's products, as well as our own, adds value to both, and is a cornerstone of the future growth of GrafTech International Ltd. and High Tech High Temp.
Robert A. Mercuri
(Awarded March 16, 2000)
Bob Mercuri was the first to receive GrafTech International's Chairman's Award for high achievement in the development of fuel cell technology.
Bob worked on many of GrafTech International Ltd.'s products over his 45 year career, including fine grain graphite, carbon foam, titanium diboride, boron nitride, carbon fiber based insulators, aerospace graphite, high purity silicone, nuclear graphite, anti-oxidation coating, carbonaceous and refractory material, and flexible graphite. His technical achievements resulted in over 130 patents or filings in 19 countries worldwide.
Since 1992, Bob has championed the involvement of GrafTech International Ltd. in the development of fuel cell components. His groundbreaking work with Ballard Power Systems for the use of natural graphite based materials resulted in the signing of a Joint Development Agreement between the Companies in 1999.
Technology developed for fuel cells can be leveraged to generate opportunities and expand our businesses into new markets. These technologies, along with fuel cells, will be the cornerstone to the future growth of GrafTech International Ltd.