Donaldson Company Inc., a leading worldwide manufacturer of filtration systems and parts, announces the patent recipients and winners of the company's 13th Annual Inventor Awards, which are given to employees whose work on various technology innovations have contributed to Donaldson's continued success as a leader and filtration innovator.
Employees are eligible to win one of five annually designated awards. The Richard M. Negri Manufacturing Excellence Award is presented to a Donaldson employee who has created and implemented significant process technology and/or product improvements to the company's manufacturing operations. This year's winner is Tark Ji YP, Operations Manager, based in Wuxi, China.
The Technology Achievement Award is given to employees who have developed a material, product, process or method that has made an extraordinary contribution to Donaldson's long-term success. This year's recipients, all based in Bloomington, MN, are recognized for their work with Synteq XP filter media and include: Greg LaVallee, Corporate Technology, Sr. Principal Engineer; Rakesh Yadav, Corporate Technology, Principal Scientist; Vijay Kapoor, Corporate Technology, Engineer; Derek Jones, Corporate Technology, Sr. Engineer; Joan Gao, Corporate Technology, Principal Scientist; Bob Rogers, retiree; Dan Little, Engine Air, Sr. Engineer; James Barsness, Corporate Technology, Sr. Engineer; Greg Tronnes, Corporate Technology, Engineer; and Emily Nykiel, Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Sr. Engineer.
The Emerging Innovator Award recognizes innovative technical leadership from those with fewer than 10 years of experience at Donaldson. This year's winner is Mark Boyce, Aerospace Filtration Systems, Principal Engineer, based in St. Louis, MO.
The Technology Champion Award recognizes an individual who advances a technology or process against popular opinion which is later recognized as the right thing to do. Dan Adamek, Engine Air Filtration, Director of Engine Air Filter Development, based in Bloomington, MN, is this year's recipient.
The Frank A. Donaldson Award, named after the company's founder, recognizes a long-term engineering achievement. This year's awardees are Andrew Dallas, Corporate Technology, Fellow, and Thom M. Weik, Corporate Technology, Sr. Engineer, both based in Bloomington, MN.
Donaldson also recognizes 61 company employees who received patents in calendar year 2014: Dan Adamek, Marty Barris, Mark Belcher, Wayne Bishop, Bruce Boehrs, Mark Brandenhoff, Steve Campbell, Michael Carlson, Bruce Crenshaw, Andrew Dallas, Rick DeJong, Julien Dils, James Doyle, Joseph Einberger, Randall Engelland, Christopher Fischer, Steve Gieseke, Mike Hebert , John Herman, Derek Hiemstra, Al Hovda, Doug Iddings, Philip Johnson, Veli Kalayci, Matt Kalis, Vladimir Kladnitsky, Josh Kundert, Greg LaVallee, Mary Lorenzen, Brian Mandt, Anitha Mathew, Stanley Miller, Tom Miller, Jarren Mills, Troy Murphy, Ben Nelson, David Nelson, Larry Nepsund, Gary Nygaard, Cary Olson, Thomas Olson, Richard Osendorf, Kirit Patel, Scott Peters, Timothy Ricke, Eli Ross, Kevin Schrage, James Scott, Tim Sporre, Rodney Switzer, Todd Taubert, Dan Tuma, Karthik Viswanathan, Tom Vranken, Paul Way, Darrel Wegner, Thom Weik, Paul Wendt, Robert Wood, Nathan Zambon and Dustin Zastera.
"As customers' equipment and technology advances, Donaldson's engineering, technology and operations staffs are continually developing innovative solutions that anticipate and exceed evolving requirements," says Sheila Peyraud, Donaldson Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. "With over 1,600 active patents and the design of industry-leading materials and products, our employees have been vital to Donaldson's 100-year history of success. These awards allow Donaldson the opportunity to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to our global filtration technology leadership. I congratulate each of them on their outstanding achievements."
