Latest news with #SteveMillard
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hans Dorfi named executive director, chief innovation officer of Polymer Industry Cluster
Hans Dorfi has been chosen to become executive director and chief innovation officer of the Polymer Industry Cluster, housed at the Greater Akron Chamber, effective July 7. "I've always focused on building technology, building value, so I'm very committed to continuing that as I work with the cluster to develop the cluster, into a regional powerhouse and building on the legacy," Dorfi said. "So, for me, this is a clear evolution of my background and my career within the city, within this industry." Further, he said, "I've also lived in Akron for over 30 years, so I've seen the potential this city has. I know what the growth potential is, but also the opportunity, and I think we can build something that's world class that makes the city and the region strong and economically vibrant." Focusing on sustainable and advanced polymer applications and driving growth and employment in Greater Akron and Northeast Ohio, Dorfi will work with a group of collaborators in business, education, government and economic development, according to a news release from the chamber. Through these partnerships, Dorfi will secure funding for the cluster, lead initiatives that support research and development and workforce growth and shape the cluster's future. "From the start, this work has been about convening industry companies and partners to collaborate to create value and scale that we can't do as individual organizations,' said Steve Millard, president and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber. 'Hans is a leader who has the track record to drive this effort forward. The goal for the region is growth to deliver more — more business attraction, more entrepreneurship, more innovation and job creation that leads to more opportunity for everyone that lives and moves here." Brian Anderson left his role as vice president of the Polymer Industry Cluster at the end of 2024, Halee Gerenday, the chamber's director of marketing and communications, previously confirmed. Dorfi most recently served as senior vice president at Bridgestone Americas, where, according to the release, he "led the transformation of the product and technology portfolio, pioneering digital innovation, sustainability, and advanced materials for next generation products." Dorfi attended The Ohio State University and Vienna University of Technology, where he earned advanced engineering degrees. He also served as adjunct faculty at the University of Akron and as industry adviser to multiple institutions, such as Stanford, Ohio State and Virginia Tech. Dorfi also serves as board chair of Bounce Innovation Hub. He was also involved in the creation of the Polymer Industry Cluster. He served on various committees that coincided with the cluster's work, including the cluster's leadership committee. The cluster has raised more than $100 million, including more than $50 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce and more than $30 million from the state of Ohio. In 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce named Greater Akron the United States' only Sustainable Polymers Tech Hub. And multiple state government officials, including Gov. Mike DeWine, last year announced Greater Akron would serve as the Greater Akron Polymer Innovation Hub. The federal funding is moving forward, and the state dollars are being deployed, Dorfi said. 'Plus, as a next step, we need to continue to build on this funding to find additional sources, and this could be industry investment, it could be venture capital, it could be a variety of funds," Dorfi said. Mark Smale, executive director of advanced polymer science at Bridgestone Americas and co-chair of the Polymer Industry Cluster, said, "Hans has a track record of collaborating to bring innovations to market, a strategic mindset and a passion to improve our community. He is the ideal inspirational leader to take the Tech Hub forward to the next level and I am excited to have the opportunity to work with him in his new role.' Erin Spring, senior director of global material science at Goodyear and co-chair of the cluster, said Dorfi stepping into his new role "marks an exciting new chapter for the Polymer Industry Cluster." What's next for the Polymer Industry Cluster? Bounce Innovation Hub will this July be rolling out a new accelerator focused on the polymer industry, Dorfi said. It will be called the Synthe6 Accelerator, he said, adding that the name is a play on words using the number for carbon on the periodic table of elements. "If you look at that from a polymer focus, a lot of the polymers have carbon as the backbone," he said. Plans for a new Polymer Pilot Plant are also moving forward, Dorfi said. The facility will be behind UA's National Polymer Innovation Center (NPIC). "So, we have the pilot plant that can synthesize materials, and then we have the NPIC facility that can make parts or demonstrate production processes based on these materials," he said. "So, you can make products that a customer or an investor or a potential customer could evaluate. I think that's an important message here too. We're not trying to duplicate anything. We're trying to take advantage of resources that are already here." Patrick Williams covers growth and development for the Akron Beacon Journal. He can be reached by email at pwilliams@ or on X @pwilliamsOH. Sign up for the Beacon Journal's business and consumer newsletter, "What's the Deal?" This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Hans Dorfi named executive director of Polymer Industry Cluster Solve the daily Crossword
RNZ News
06-06-2025
- Climate
- RNZ News
Farmers risk being cut off as bridge funding dries up
The Wharekiri Stream can be impassable in a flood. Photo: Supplied / Shirley Millard Clarence Valley farmers have been left high and dry following a decision not to extend a funding deadline for replacing a quake-damaged bridge north of Kaikōura. Waka Kotahi - the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) - has informed the Kaikōura District Council it will not extend the 30 June sunset clause or offering additional funding for a replacement for the Glen Alton Bridge on Waiau Toa Clarence River, which was destroyed in the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2016. Property owners now face an uncertain future, without year-round, all weather access to the valley. Steve and Shirley Millard have been farming in the valley for 13 years, with Mrs Millard commuting to work in Kaikōura. ''It should have been done way before now,'' Steve said. ''They said they are looking at other options, but I can't see many.'' The Clarence Valley is home to several properties, including forestry blocks, large hill country properties and Department of Conservation land. For now access in and out is via Waipapa Road, Wharekiri Stream and a paper road through several properties. But the Wharekiri Stream is prone to flooding in heavy rain events and can be impassable for up to two weeks. Access is by four-wheel-drive only. Kaikōura District Council chief executive Will Doughty said NZTA's decision is a major setback and left the council with few options. ''The project has had a number of complex issues and stakeholder challenges that, despite best efforts, council has not been able to fully overcome.'' The remains of the Glen Alton bridge in the Clarence Valley, north of Kaikōura. Photo: Supplied / Kaikōura District Council The NZTA board approved emergency works funding of $12.6 million from the National Land Transport Programme in 2019 to replace bridge - a 95 percent subsidy, but the project has been beset by challenges. The council initially applied to Environment Canterbury (ECan) for a resource consent to build a $13.5m bridge, 500 metres upstream from the previous bridge. But this was opposed by Te Rūnanga o Kaikōura on cultural grounds. Last year, the council asked its contractor, Contract Structures Ltd, to provide a cost estimate for building a bridge at the original site. Going to the original site will require the council to acquire land for an access road to the new bridge, a process expected to take up to 18 month. The council will leave the local share funding of around $500,000 in the 2025/26 annual plan budget while the next steps are considered, Doughty said. NZTA regional manager central and lower South Island Peter Brown said the agency advised the council in December its application for an extension would likely be declined unless it could provide evidence by 28 February the challenges it faced could be overcome. ''Despite some progress being made on key issues, there remained significant ongoing risks and a lack of a clear path forward.'' The NZTA board met last month and declined an extension and a funding increase to $16.5m. ''We understand there will be disappointment over this decision for Clarence Valley residents,'' Brown said. ''The prolonged delays and unresolved issues make continued investment in this project untenable.'' Brown said NZTA will continue to work with the council to explore what options are available. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
